Trump Distances Israel Amid Iran Attack Fears, Election Concerns

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has appeared distant from Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently, fueling speculation about his motives. Trump's reticence, even when asked directly about supporting Netanyahu, is attributed to his desire to avoid alienating voters ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. The article suggests that Trump is concerned about being blamed for dragging the U.S. into a war with Iran, a sentiment amplified by the American media and opposition. This concern is heightened by the direct impact of oil prices on American voters, unlike in Israel where taxes cushion price fluctuations. Trump's strategy is seen as an effort to distance himself from Israel until the elections are over.

Meanwhile, the article critiques the Israeli opposition and media for what it terms a "poison machine" that has relentlessly attacked Netanyahu's government. It argues that despite the government's actions, including prisoner exchanges and military operations in Gaza, critics have consistently blamed Netanyahu for the ongoing war, the fate of hostages, and the deaths of soldiers. The author contends that the successes of the war, such as clearing areas of Hamas and targeting leadership, were achieved "despite" figures like Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid, who are portrayed as having wanted to halt the conflict earlier.

The piece also touches upon the events of October 7th, noting that no decision-maker knew the full extent of the planned attack. It criticizes the notion that the war's continuation harms the hostages, citing reports that Hamas initially resisted hostage releases and only agreed to deals under military pressure. The author suggests that if opposition leaders like Bennett or Lieberman had publicly advocated for continuing the war to achieve victory, they could have capitalized politically, but instead, they pushed for a deal and an end to the fighting.

President Joe Biden's pressure on Israel to cease hostilities is also framed as politically motivated, driven by fears of electoral repercussions. The article dismisses claims that the war is pointless or that Netanyahu is prolonging it for political gain, highlighting military achievements against Hamas and Hezbollah, and actions against Iran. It concludes by suggesting that opposition figures who now lament the lack of decisive victory are the same ones who previously advocated for stopping the war.