In the hilltop community of Trump Heights, named in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump, residents are grappling with their disappointment over the recent U.S.-Iran agreement to end the Middle East war. Despite widespread Israeli criticism of the deal, which many view as undermining national security, locals remain steadfast in their support for the president.
Mixed Feelings in Trump Heights
As Israeli artillery shells echoed near the Lebanon border, residents of this small settlement of prefabricated homes, just 15 kilometers from Lebanon, voiced their unease. The deal, announced earlier this week, aims to halt hostilities between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah. However, many in Trump Heights see it as a strategic failure for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a blow to Israeli security.
“We give President Trump the benefit of the doubt that he is making the right decisions for America, and that he is also trying to help his allies — and, of course, the most important ally in the region is Israel,” said Shlomo Schlechter, a 32-year-old law student.
Schlechter acknowledged that American and Israeli interests do not always align but expressed trust in Trump as the deal’s details are negotiated over the next 60 days. Like other residents, he doubts the agreement will hold and does not expect Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.
“We hope that President Trump will remain firm, and when he sees that the Iranians are not serious — as I expect will happen — he will return and know how to deal with them with a heavy hand, as he knows how to do,” he added.
Loyalty Despite Disagreement
Dalia Ben Shabbat, a 38-year-old architecture student and mother of four, echoed the sentiment. “When someone does something good for you, you’re not gonna hate them right when they do something you agree a little less with,” she said. “Regarding President Trump himself, we’re very thankful for what he’s done for Israel until now.”
Hours before the U.S.-Iran deal was announced, Trump criticized Netanyahu for launching attacks in Lebanon that threatened to derail the agreement. Despite this, residents of Trump Heights remain loyal, emphasizing the president’s past support for Israel.
On Friday morning, Israeli artillery was heard pounding northern Lebanon after four Israeli soldiers were killed the previous night. By late afternoon, a U.S. official announced a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by U.S. and Qatari mediators.
