https://arab.news/9mg35
To the long list of those who distrust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were recently added US President Donald Trump and his closest advisers who have been negotiating the ceasefire in Gaza. As such, this is not exactly breaking news — most of those who work with Netanyahu have parted company with the Israeli leader after coming to doubt his integrity and honesty. However, that this now applies to the leader of the country that the Jewish state is most reliant on for its security and political support, as well as preferential trade agreements, should raise the alarm among Israel’s voters as they enter an election year.
Trump’s recent show of support for Netanyahu during his whirlwind visit to Israel was no more than lip service. The president had to force him into a ceasefire deal. It has been widely reported that Netanyahu rejected similar ceasefire proposals in the past, describing these as disastrous for Israeli interests. In reality, this was mainly due to his fear of the ultranationalist-messianic elements in his coalition government who threatened to leave should he accept any of the proposals.
It is not only that Israel is losing the support of the US administration due to the reckless behavior of its current government, but also that its previously solid and close rapport with the American people is dissipating. Ever since its foundation, the Jewish state has enjoyed the broad support of the US, for its perceived sharing of liberal-democratic values, shared self-proclaimed exceptionalism, and somewhat enigmatic Christian-Zionist nexus. Despite no formal alliance, a commonality of interests in the region has evolved into an informal one. But under Netanyahu, and much more pronounced in his increasingly autocratic government, it has come to disrespect international law and human rights, never mind its carefree undermining of US interests in the region.
