Netanyahu Allies Target Trump as a Cover for Israeli Anger Over the Iran Deal

The article argues that the harsh attacks on Donald Trump by Netanyahu-aligned figures are not only about the substance of the new Iran agreement, but also about domestic political blame shifting. Trump said in France that he did not want a "economic catastrophe," warning that continuing the conflict could have led to a "Great Depression" and saying he signed the deal to avoid becoming like Herbert Hoover, the U.S. president associated with the 1929 crash. The piece says those words show the White House believes there is a serious risk of a financial downturn and wants to avoid it before any broader economic shock.

The writer says that, from Washington’s perspective, ending the war with Iran has been a goal for more than two months, and that Israel is only a "very junior partner" in the fighting, according to Trump. Because the United States is the dominant party, the article says, its priority is its own interest, which currently means ending the war, partly out of economic concern.

In Israel, the reaction from right-wing pro-Netanyahu media has been fierce. The article says these outlets have been circulating images of Trump as Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister associated with appeasement at Munich, and comparing the deal to the Munich Agreement. TV hosts close to Netanyahu are said to be hurling insults at Trump and his aides, feeling betrayed just as they did during the issue of annexation in Judea and Samaria.

The article adds that this anger is ironic because Trump previously moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognized the Golan Heights, ordered the killing of Qasem Soleimani, threatened Hamas with destruction, and helped produce a hostage deal few expected. The writer says the current vilification of Trump is also meant to redirect attention and prevent questions about how Israel ended up in this position.