Historically, many of the most hawkish and militant Israeli leaders were the ones who managed to sign peace deals with Israel’s enemies. The reason is simple: in order for Israel to make concessions and be able to sell it to the Israeli public, the Israeli public must see that it comes from the person considered “tough on Arabs.”

If an Israeli leader is seen as too compromising or left-leaning, the public won’t tolerate a more conciliatory approach from Israel to other Arab countries.

This was true when Begin made the concession of agreeing to a vague Palestinian autonomy in the future when he signed the Peace Agreement with Egypt or when Rabin, the militant ex-general, signed the Peace Agreement with Jordan.

The recent remarks Trump made regarding the possible removal of Gazans from Gaza for some temporary or even permanent time while Gaza is being rebuilt sent shockwaves within the international community and in Israel. The idea of removing Palestinians from Gaza has been one of the most glaring taboos in the diplomatic lingo about the conflict. These kinds of ideas were only entertained publicly by the fringes of the Israeli Right. With Trump’s remarks, the Israeli right has been…