Israelis are on the front line of freedom. They are surrounded by hostile states. In their mind, appeasement is dangerous and there is little margin for error when their security is at stake.
One high-ranking Israeli official told me that the equation for Israel has changed because of three key Trump officials: Jared Kushner, the president's special adviser, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.
Kushner, to whom the president has given the task of resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, understands that Israel is the cornerstone of regional stability.
Previous administrations typically began their peace process by blaming Israel. Kushner took a different approach by affirming Israel as a U.S. ally.
Both Mattis and McMaster, the official said, grasp the strategic role Israel has played for U.S. security in the region and they have been stalwart in their support.
Today, under Trump, ISIS is being crushed.
Qatar, a Gulf state that has "played both sides" but consistently helps fund the bad guys, including the Muslim Brotherhood, is being contained.
Trump is also taking Iran's role in sponsoring terrorism as a great threat to the region. Trump has been praised for being willing to tackle the Iranian problem as he is tackling North Korea.
Trump's outreach to Putin could be crucial in dealing with Iran and North Korea, one official said.
I first came to Israel at the age of 19 as a college student.
Life was challenging back then, but the people haven't changed. Israel is a nation of realists.
They see President Trump for what he is, a champion of freedom and security.
Christopher Ruddy is CEO of Newsmax Media, Inc., one of the country's leading conservative news outlets. Read more Christopher Ruddy Insider articles — Click Here Now.