Mockery and Scolding: How Trump Became a Burden for Netanyahu

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, finds himself in a precarious position, facing both domestic criticism and public taunts, particularly from his former ally, Donald Trump. The political climate has become a painful landscape for Netanyahu as he attempts to frame a perceived failure in the Iran conflict as a victory during an election campaign.

Netanyahu's administration is grappling with the fallout from a decision to call off a broad attack on Iran, which involved hundreds of fighter jets, following an Iranian assault. This decision, reportedly made out of fear of Trump's reaction, has drawn sharp criticism. The air force chief, Ofer Tischler, even stated in an internal message that this lack of courage harmed Israel's interests. This has led to Netanyahu being mocked by the opposition and even his own ministers for appearing subservient to the U.S. president.

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I think I should ask Syria to deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. They would do a better job than Israel.

Adding to Netanyahu's woes, Trump has publicly insulted him, suggesting Syria could handle Hezbollah in Lebanon more effectively than Israel. This public denigration from a figure who was once Netanyahu's "greatest asset" is taking a toll on the prime minister's image and has led to significant tactical errors. His former chief of staff, Gadi Eizenkot, now leading a liberal party, has even surpassed Netanyahu in popularity polls, a rare occurrence.

Netanyahu's campaign strategists are reportedly in a panic, struggling to find effective attacks against Eizenkot. They attempted to target Eizenkot's English proficiency, contrasting it with Netanyahu's fluency. However, Eizenkot, who comes from a modest background, calmly explained his extensive interactions with American military officials during his tenure as chief of staff, where he always made himself understood. Eizenkot's background, particularly the loss of his son in Gaza while Netanyahu's sons lived abroad, makes him a particularly dangerous rival for the prime minister.

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This lack of courage harmed Israel's interests.