Hagai Lober says Netanyahu is the only leader who can face U.S. pressure

Amid debate over a developing interim U.S.-Iran agreement and tensions with the Trump administration, bereaved father and creator Hagai Lober posted a sharp message arguing that Benjamin Netanyahu is the only Israeli leader able to withstand American pressure.

Lober addressed several opposition figures by name and said he respects them personally, including Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. But he said they would not dare challenge a U.S. president, and specifically argued they would not have the resolve to oppose Washington over a strike in Dahieh. Because of that, he wrote, he would not entrust the security of northern-border residents, including his own daughter, to Eisenkot, Bennett or Lapid.

He emphasized that his view is not partisan loyalty. “I am not one of Likud’s voters and far from being a loyal Bibiist,” he wrote, adding that Netanyahu is not perfect and that “not everything is allowed” in order to remain in power. Still, he concluded that “compared with their weakness, he is better than all three.”

Lober ended by expressing hope that after the election, political leaders will unite and build broad public backing for a single national position and stronger resilience.