Something doesn’t smell right about this hostage for ceasefire and terrorist release deal. While there is a lot of blame to go around in Israel, the smell is not coming from the Holy Land, but rather President Trump’s personally appointed Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff.
Witkoff has been heralded as the Trump liaison that got the deal done. Yet, Witkoff’s arm twisting was not just reserved for Hamas or their patrons Qatar, but rather also Netanyahu. Last week the Times of Israel quoted sources that claimed Witkoff pressured Netanyahu in a January 11th meeting in Jerusalem. Confirming the accuracy of the report, President Trump reposted the TOI to his Truth Social Account. After the meeting with Witkoff, Netanyahu sent a high level team to Qatar to finish the negotiations.
Trump positioned himself as a leader with principles who would not deal with terrorists, but by hyping up the deal that Witkoff pushed Bibi into, the incoming president has shown that he much rather cut deals that make him look good rather than stand on principles. Given this, it makes sense why he used long time friend Steven Witkoff to strike the deal rather than just simply wait and allow Israel to destroy Hamas.
Besides the deal itself, which basically gives Hamas a lifeline and snatches defeat from the jaws of victory, the choice of Witkoff raises serious questions about the incoming president’s judgement and who is really calling the shots and why.
So how does Steven Witkoff see the two sides in this conflict? In an interview by NBC News Witkoff was quoted as saying: “Remember, there’s a lot of people, radicals, fanatics, not just from the Hamas side, from the right wing of the Israeli side, who are absolutely incentivized to blow this whole deal up.” Yes, you read that correctly, Witkoff is comparing Israel’s rightwing to Hamas. Meaning anyone who opposes releasing terrorists is considered equivalent to Hamas.
Complicating matters, Witkoff is no stranger to Qatar. In August 2023, Witkoff sold the 610-room Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan for roughly $623 million, to the Qatar Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund. Interestingly, Witkoff gave the fund a 17.5 percent discount. Many observers acknowledge that the Qatari purchase was more like a bailout for Witkoff who had lost millions in his purchase of the hotel and other properties. Qatar is not just another Arab state, but is considered the main backer of Hamas and acts as their front man in all but name. Recently, Witkoff has praised Qatar as doing “G-D’s work” in regards to the hostage deal, which is weird, because it is precisely because of Qatar that Hamas had the capability to take the hostages. Has it occurred to anyone that there may be a conflict of interest when it comes to Steven Witkoff and if so, why did Trump appoint him to such a crucial position?
Let’s face it, Qatar one upped the Jewish State. They found a Trump confidant and bought him off before Trump was assured victory in November in order to hedge their bets and now that Trump is on the verge of being sworn in, Qatar has their man on the inside with the power to push their Jihadist interests from within the MAGA movement.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has every reason to be wary and nervous. While it’s true, Mike Waltz and Marco Rubio will only put up with a guy like Witkoff cutting backroom deals so much, he will do tremendous damage before he is forced out. All of this reveals the need for all of us, (especially Israel’s leaders) to stop groveling at the feet of the incoming president and rather put our trust In the Almighty as King David exhorts us to in Psalm 146, and reminds us ״Do not put your trust in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation.״ Interestingly enough, King David reminds us a few versus later that “The LORD sets prisoners free.”
Yes, it appears we been deceived, or better put - we have deceived ourselves. Trump is who he always has been - a wheeler and dealer who wants to be seen as the greatest. That may work for him - and he may be just fine with cutting deals with Qatar to throw us under the bus as well as cutting the ultimate deal with Saudi Arabia if it brings him a Nobel Peace Prize, but none of that matters to us. The Jewish people or at least the ones clued in have to move forward and do the right thing irregardless of what Trump wants or does not want. It is time to acknowledge the fact we have all known - we are a nation who dwells alone and when we do we are much better off.