Netanyahu calculates upsetting Trump is his least-bad option
On tricky issues, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s preference is to kick the can down the road. If he must take a position, he likes to include a twist of ambiguity, some wiggle room, just in case things get hairy later. Not this time, though, on the subject of US President Donald Trump’s roadmap for … The post Netanyahu calculates upsetting Trump is his least-bad option appeared first…
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly stated that Israel will not accept the 15-point document outlining US President Donald Trump's roadmap for a Gaza ceasefire agreement. This stance, made during a recent Israeli Cabinet meeting, could potentially draw negative reactions from Trump, who is desperate for a victory following his failed Iran policy.
The US president recently invested in Gaza by declaring a historic agreement with Hamas for the complete disarmament of the militant group, a process that would necessitate a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory. Despite Trump's support for the plan, some believe Netanyahu may be publicly challenging him in an effort to sway voters ahead of the Israeli general election, which is less than 12 weeks away.
With polls suggesting Netanyahu is currently in a vulnerable position, speaking to the electorate might be a strategic move to secure support, particularly from his far-right allies. Although Netanyahu's opponents are unlikely to gain much traction from Mladenov's appeal to self-interest, the Israeli leader's comments emphasize the importance of full disarmament for ensuring security and avoiding another tragedy like the October 7th attack.
Written by urgent.news from Egypt Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.