Is Netanyahu the Palestinians’ new BFF? - opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, known for his strident opposition to Palestinian statehood, has paradoxically become a significant force in advancing the Palestinian cause, according to an opinion piece. His approach, particularly his confidence that former U.S. President Donald Trump would not push for Palestinian statehood, initially seemed to align with his goals.

Trump's focus on courting wealthy Gulf oil sheiks, who viewed Israel as a partner against Iran, facilitated the Abraham Accords. These agreements allowed Arab rulers to bypass the Palestinian "veto" on ties with Israel, offering them new weapons and benefits. Netanyahu agreed not to annex the West Bank, seemingly placing the Palestinians off the U.S. agenda. However, the October 7 Hamas massacres and Israel's subsequent devastating response dramatically altered the global landscape.

While Gulf state leaders might have supported Israel's goal of destroying Hamas, the extensive media coverage of destruction in Gaza and the reported tens of thousands of civilian casualties shifted global sympathy towards the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia, a key potential signatory to normalization, insisted on credible progress toward Palestinian statehood, a condition Netanyahu rejected. The article highlights the stark contrast between Netanyahu's government's rhetoric, including threats to cut off essential supplies to Gaza and calls for expelling Palestinians, and the growing international concern for Palestinian suffering.

Furthermore, the piece suggests that the focus on Gaza was exploited by ultra-nationalist factions within Netanyahu's government to advance their agenda of driving Palestinians out of the West Bank. The author implies that Netanyahu's actions and the response to the Hamas attacks have inadvertently strengthened the Palestinian position by highlighting their plight and complicating Israel's regional integration efforts.