When Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands before the U.S. Congress on July 24, some members, perhaps even a majority, will cheer and many will rise to their feet. Not all prime ministers around the world receive this honor, but it’s important to remind U.S. lawmakers who they’re applauding.
Most polls show that a majority of Israelis no longer support him. Latest Polls “More than two-thirds of respondents (68%) said Netanyahu was performing poorly,” the report said. On sensitive issues like the hostage crisis and managing the war in Gaza, most of us54 percent) believes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions are driven by “political considerations” rather than the national interest.
Netanyahu is on trial indicted on corruption chargesThe Jerusalem court has yet to rule on the matter. But what has been decided in Israel is the question of his legacy. Netanyahu’s legacy comes as he ends his tenure as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister on Oct. 7, the greatest tragedy to befall the Jewish people since 1945. Hamas strengthening policy It was just for Netanyahu.
Members of Congress need to understand these facts.
Nine months after Hamas’ brutal attacks, Netanyahu has sought a showdown with President Biden, whose plan he has bluntly rejected despite major gains for Israel, including the rebuilding of Gaza by non-Hamas Arab-Palestinian forces and normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia.
Even Republicans in Congress need to ask themselves whether Prime Minister Netanyahu’s blatant support for presidential candidate Donald Trump really benefits them. 72 percent of Israelis They believe that Netanyahu “must step down now or once the war is over” and may not even be in power next year. Moreover, do they think it is wise and responsible for a prime minister who is so dependent on the political and military support of the United States to bet entirely on one side winning the US presidential elections?
Inviting Mr. Netanyahu to speak in parliament was an enormous and expensive gift to his campaign for political survival. In doing so, those who invited him bet on a side in our elections and in the political struggle that is currently dividing Israeli society. I doubt Mr. Netanyahu and his inner circle will recognize the favor. His opponents, as always, will forgive.
Of course, not everyone who invited Netanyahu to speak in parliament was trying to provide this spectacle for his political campaign. For them, the invitation was a way of innocently and naively expressing solidarity and admiration for Israel: a democratic and enlightened Israel, a country of great technology and culture, and one that is currently under attack by Iranian proxies from five different parts of the Middle East.
That is an Israel worthy of praise, to be sure, but it is not the country that stands at the podium of the Capitol.
Rather, the Israelis who deserve applause are the people I meet on Saturday night. protestAs well as calling for the return of the hostages, some are calling for immediate elections to be held to establish a democratic, efficient and clean government.
At the march, we meet women and men who have given Israel its qualitative advantages: high-tech workers, academics, reservists who served for months in Gaza or on the Lebanese border. These are the people who have made Israel a country that inspires admiration and solidarity. They are not praising Netanyahu, but on the contrary, with a throbbing cry, they demand his departure. They do not want him to be Israel’s prime minister.
Members of Congress should consider the following:thatThose who are thinking about how to respond to Israel and this Prime Minister who does not represent the majority of its people or their interests.
Ephraim Sneh is a retired Israel Defense Forces general who served as Deputy Minister of Defense and Minister in the Israeli government. He is a board member of the Israel Security Commanders Association.
