Benjamin Netanyahu

Public diplomacy challenges await Netanyahu's far-right government

After the historic Netanyahu-Erdoğan phone call

Despite former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim to a 40-year friendship with President Joe Biden, the latter preferred the new government headed by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Trump & Bibi

Netanyahu’s ouster creates diplomatic openings for Israel, if government holds
Micky Aharonson: The many messages of congratulations from world leaders are important gestures.

Netanyahu criticizes new Israeli government over Iran
Prof. Efraim Inbar: Promising the US “no surprises” is not always in the best interest of Israel.

Israel swears in a new government
Prof. Efraim Inbar: This coalition involving parties with different agendas signals broad consensus in Israeli society.

The power of the IDF, the potency of Israeli deterrence, the health of Israeli society, and the stability of Israel’s newest peace agreements with Arab counties – all are impacted negatively by continuing electoral indecision.

For Israel, endless electoral discord carries perils for ties with Arab world
Prof. Efraim Inbar: There is no political stability, and the folks over the border don’t always understand our system… They don’t like instability.

As Israel and Syria concluded a deal on the return of an Israeli woman from Syria, questions arise regarding the cost and what the future of such transactions with Russian mediation should be.

Why can’t Netanyahu free Israelis from Gaza as easily as from Syria?
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: Russian President Putin has strong relationships with both Netanyahu and Syrian President Assad, whereas Hamas has unrealistic demands.

Netanyahu warns as Biden seeks reentry to Iran deal
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror at JISS: If the US returns to the old nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel will have no choice but to act militarily to prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear weapon.

Benjamin Netanyahu visits Saudi Arabia
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: The meeting sets the stage before finding out what will be Biden's policy.

Trump’s Peace Plan Rescues Benjamin Netanyahu. For Now.
General Yaakov Amidror: In the Middle East, never assume the promise of future success is equivalent to actual success. Netanyahu masterfully turns lemons into lemonade.

Excluded from Netanyahu’s annexation plans, military must somehow prepare anyway
Prof. Inbar and Dr. Lerman of JISS: While Israeli security forces must prepare for a potential outbreak of violence, the response by Palestinians may not be as bad as others expect and would give Israel a clear upper hand in future negotiations.

Annexation of the Jordan Valley is a long-standing Israeli objective, going back to Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

We have five years of experience to compare to the competing assessments of 2015. Now we know that Netanyahu’s gloomy forecast has proven to be the more prescient.

Trump’s peace plan calls attention to the fact that the Arab bloc that championed the Palestinian cause has collapsed.

Of annexation and Trump’s peace plan, what’s next on the post-Israeli election agenda?
Prof. Inbar: Annexation of the West Bank or parts of the West Bank has been on the agenda of every Israeli government, including Labor-led governments because want the settlement blocs as part of Israel.

Netanyahu’s True Colors? No to Palestinian State, Yes to Annexing Parts of West Bank.
Audio interview with Prof. Efraim Inbar.

Gaza rocket hits Israeli home injuring seven; Netanyahu cuts short Washington trip.
Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: “When there was intensive rocket fire on the southern area that borders Gaza, Israel found a workable modus vivendi, involving transfer of Qatari money to Hamas. If Netanyahu now reacts aggressively, then people will say the blood of those in the center of the country is thicker than in the south. If he does not respond, then he’ll be criticized for not doing anything in the face of brazen provocation.”

Rocket From Gaza Hits Israel, Prompting Netanyahu to Curtail U.S. Trip.
Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman of JISS: Hamas is playing with fire.

Successors Line Up As Netanyahu’s Predicaments Worsen.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: As things stand today, no parties outside of Likud are likely to be able to form a coalition government.

PM Netanyahu Planning Unprecedented Trip to Brazil for Bolsonaro Inauguration.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: It is important to have Brazil as an ally and to fight against Iran and its proxy Hizbullah’s influence in that region.

Israel's Netanyahu Embraces European Leaders With Controversial Views On Holocaust.
Dr. Emmanuel Navon: No country in the world would sacrifice its national interest for the sake of moral values. Expecting Israel (and only Israel) to do so is absurd.