Trump Organization Nears Tel Aviv Hotel Deal Amid Regional Tensions

The Trump Organization, led by Eric Trump, has held preliminary discussions to manage and brand a 47-story luxury hotel under construction in Tel Aviv's Sarona district, which would be the largest hotel in Israel at 800 rooms. These talks began before Iranian missile strikes targeted Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Iranian military sites, raising concerns that a Trump-branded hotel could become a high-profile target amid escalating regional tensions. Eric Trump expressed interest in expanding the building with additional residential floors, though city zoning laws near Ben Gurion Airport pose challenges. Despite no official partnership announced, the Trump family views Israel as a promising market, continuing their Middle East expansion with properties in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Previous attempts to enter the Israeli market, including projects in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, were abandoned due to geopolitical developments. Industry experts warn that associating the Trump name with a prominent Tel Aviv property could attract political and military risks given the ongoing conflict.