Israeli citizens from various political backgrounds expressed anger on Monday following news of a provisional agreement between the United States and Iran. They labeled the deal as a disaster for Israel and directed their frustration toward one individual: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although Netanyahu had yet to release a statement by Monday evening, numerous officials, opponents, politicians, and commentators hastily criticized the agreement. This reaction served as an informal referendum on Netanyahu’s leadership as the fall elections approach. Critics highlight Netanyahu’s growing isolation domestically, regionally, and increasingly in relation to the United States.
Critics argue that Netanyahu pushed President Donald Trump into war with Iran while overselling potential outcomes. They claim Trump is now withdrawing Israel from the conflict before the country feels ready. Accusations suggest Netanyahu misjudged Trump’s appetite for prolonged conflict, was outmaneuvered by Iran in negotiations, and became increasingly sidelined by key regional players. “Israel is paying the price for Netanyahu’s arrogance and blindness, and his attempts to manipulate Trump,” stated former Prime Minister Ehud Barak in an interview with Israel’s public broadcaster on Monday. “Iran emerged stronger; Israel weaker. This is Netanyahu’s strategic responsibility. He failed.”
Yair Lapid, Netanyahu’s challenger in the upcoming elections, wrote on Sunday that the deal could become “one of the most shocking failures in Israeli foreign and security policy… entirely attributed to Netanyahu.” Lapid emphasized, “It can be fixed, and it must be fixed. Netanyahu cannot fix it any longer, we will do it.”
Impact on Operations in Lebanon
The agreement between the United States and Iran traps Israel partly due to its invasion of southern Lebanon after the Lebanese group Hezbollah fired missiles at northern Israeli towns during the war’s first week. Since negotiations began, Iran has insisted that any US-Iran agreement include an end to Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
As talks progressed and Trump sought to exit the war, he grew angry over Israeli attacks in Beirut, warning they could jeopardize a deal. Ultimately, the US president decided to end the conflict with Iran, though it would limit Israel’s options in Lebanon. This has left Netanyahu in a precarious position. His relationship with Trump might necessitate reducing a military campaign in Lebanon, which had broad support in Israel. On Monday, Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to maintain troops in Lebanon.
“All Hezbollah needs to do is fire a rocket into an Israeli town in northern Israel, and then the pressure on Netanyahu—from his base and the opposition—will intensify,” declared Daniel Shapiro, former US ambassador to Israel and distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council. “It will be difficult to resist,” Shapiro noted. “This gives significant control over the dynamics to Hezbollah and essentially to Iran.”
Some of Netanyahu’s more hawkish coalition members have condemned the agreement and urged the prime minister to persist in the Lebanon campaign, despite potential US dissatisfaction and risking the deal’s collapse. “We must not settle for anything less than dismantling Hezbollah,” wrote ultra-nationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on social media platform X.
Failure to Meet War Objectives
The agreement in Lebanon leaves the future of Israel’s campaign uncertain, but in Iran, it effectively tied Netanyahu’s hands before he achieved his goals. Netanyahu and the US initiated the war on February 28 to eliminate Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Yet almost four months later, with Iran enduring a devastating air campaign, Tehran is in a stronger position according to analysts and critics. Its network of indirect allies survives and retains missile capabilities against Israel. Tehran has managed control over the Strait of Hormuz—a vital global maritime route—choking global trade and driving up essential goods prices worldwide.
Uncertainty remains over the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and missile program. “Israel believes the war delayed Iran’s nuclear program but did not alter its goals,” wrote political commentator Anna Barsky for Ma’ariv, a leading Hebrew newspaper. She added that Israeli officials also worry the US-Iran deal might grant Iran a substantial financial boost. According to three regional officials speaking anonymously due to negotiation sensitivities, the deal would include gradual sanctions removal and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
“Trump signs an agreement channeling billions of dollars to the Ayatollah regime, leaving the nuclear infrastructure intact, maintaining the ballistic threat unchanged, and providing a lifeline to Tehran’s murderous regime,” wrote Yair Golan, leader of a center-left party and former Israeli general, on X.
Note: This story was translated from English by an AP editor using a generative AI tool.
Leave a Reply