Itamar Fleishman Says Iran Is Trying to Drive a Wedge Between Israel and the U.S.

Panelist Itamar Fleishman said on Tuesday night’s "The Patriots" on Channel 14 that the rising tension between Israel and the United States serves Iran’s strategic goal of sowing discord between the two countries. He said Tehran is acting actively through various tools and influence operations to deepen the rift.

Fleishman warned that, despite Israel’s "very painful" feelings about the current situation, it must not fall into what he described as an Iranian trap. "The strategic goal of Iran is right now to create discord between Israel and the United States. With all our very painful feelings, we must not fall for this," he said.

He argued that Israel is being forced back into a security reality similar to the 1950s and 1960s, when it needed greater independence in defense development. He pointed to examples such as the Uzi and the Merkava tank as symbols of that era’s self-reliance.

Fleishman added that total dependence on others is impossible, especially given uncertainty about the next U.S. administration. He said Israel must be especially sensitive and alert to Iranian influence efforts, because failing to recognize the enemy’s strategic aim could have serious consequences for national security.