Ex-Envoy Oren: Netanyahu's Staying Hurts US Ties
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating his continued tenure would make improving U.S. relations impossible. Oren also suggested President Trump might pressure Israel to withdraw from Gaza. He urged Israel to clearly declare its desire for regional peace and support its U.S. allies by providing a political basis for their backing.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Ambassador Michael Oren stated Netanyahu's continued tenure makes improving U.S. ties impossible.
- Oren believes President Trump may pressure Israel to withdraw from Gaza.
- He urged Israel to declare its aspiration for regional peace.
- Oren advised Israel to provide a political basis for U.S. support.
- He noted a non-extremist majority still exists within the Democratic Party.
Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that if Netanyahu remains in office, the chances of improving relations with the U.S. are "zero." Oren, however, cautioned that replacing Netanyahu might not be enough on its own to mend ties with Washington.
Oren speculated that U.S. President Donald Trump, in the final two years of his term, might focus more on foreign policy, especially if he faces difficulties advancing domestic legislation. "The President, when his path to advancing legislation is blocked, may turn his attention to foreign issues," Oren said.
While Oren believes the prospects for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine are slim, he sees a more realistic possibility of Trump pressuring Israel to withdraw from Gaza. "Could he pressure us to start withdrawing from Gaza? It's very possible," he noted, adding that Israel must choose between the E1 area and its economy.
He also emphasized the importance of a clear Israeli declaration of aspiration for peace with regional countries, stating, "Declare that we are heading for peace, we want peace with all our neighbors."
Oren suggested that some individuals harbor animosity towards Israel regardless of its actions, citing an unnamed figure who "hates us because of who we are, not because of what we do." Conversely, he believes a non-extremist majority still exists within the Democratic Party regarding Israel. "There is today a non-extremist Democratic majority. To prevent them from drifting towards the extreme left, we need to help them help us," he urged, calling on Israel to provide its U.S. allies with a political basis to continue their support.
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