Netanyahu was summoned from a security cabinet meeting to take a 40-minute call from US President Joe Biden — his second in six days
Even for Benjamin Netanyahu, an unscheduled knock on the door of the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) would likely come as a shock.
Nevertheless, on Thursday evening, William Burns entered the HaQiriya military complex in the center of Tel- Aviva to speak with the embattled Israeli leader. Hours later, Netanyahu was summoned from a security cabinet meeting he was chairing to take a 40-minute call from US President Joe Biden — his second in six days.
«The pressure is mounting.» An Israeli defense source said Mr. Burns had visited Cairo several days ago with Arab leaders and fellow intelligence officers in an effort to end the war in Gaza.
For now, Mr. Netanyahu has done it. undermined or outright rejected all attempts to end the conflict through US mediation, declaring that only “total victory” would be sufficient. The US and its top diplomat Antony Blinken were rebuffed — often publicly — at every turn.
After his call with Biden, Netanyahu issued a statement in the middle of the night insisting that Israel would not be pressured to accept the Palestinian state.
“Israel will continue to oppose unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. Such recognition after the October 7 massacre would be a huge reward for unprecedented terrorism and would prevent any future peace settlement,” he said.
The US cannot even ensure the delivery of its own aid to Gaza, despite the fact that they are Israel's most important ally and provide the government with more than $3 billion every year.
The White House is trying to use a stick
A shipment of flour was blocked at the border by far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said he would not allow it to fall into the hands of Hamas.
The White House tried to put pressure on Netanyahu. He is tightening sanctions against Israeli extremists and calling on partners in Britain and Europe to follow suit. References to “international law” – and, by extension, to the World Court in The Hague – are becoming increasingly frequent, as are the conditions for US arms exports.
Mr Biden privately calls Netanyahu a «hole» and is reportedly considering publicly expressing his displeasure. But with the White House seemingly unwilling to press the nuclear button and cut off arms supplies to Israel, none of these steps have yet led to Netanyahu budging.
So now, according to Israeli sources, There is a serious carrot hanging in front of the Israeli leader.
In particular, the US is offering him the chance to become the face of a new alliance against Iran, formed under the US and a number of Gulf countries.
Mr. Netanyahu will be a key US figure in the great geopolitical struggle of the coming years — a globally important role for which he will go down in history as more than just the man who allowed October 7 to happen.
Mr. Netanyahu will be a key figure for the United States in the great geopolitical struggle of the coming years—a globally important role in which he will go down in history as more than just the man who allowed October 7 to happen.
Mr. Netanyahu will be a key figure The United States in the great geopolitical struggle of the coming years. p>
There is even talk that the Israeli presidential administration will offer Mr. Netanyahu immunity from corruption charges that he faces if he bites.
“A decisive step”
Professor Manuel Traitenberg, executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies, told US officials had consulted with those who know Mr Netanyahu about the likelihood that he would «take the plunge.»
“It seems crazy that he would I wouldn’t do this because it’s the only way to save my place in government.” history,” said Professor Trajtenberg. “Otherwise he will go down in history as one of the worst figures in Jewish history.”
“But it is unclear whether he will accept this. It is isolated and the window is very narrow — perhaps only two months before the US election cycle actually begins.»
The agreement being worked on in Cairo goes far beyond the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. It involves exchanging hostages over a month or more to build trust. In parallel, an Arab-backed reconstruction and management plan will be activated. However, this, together with security guarantees from Gulf states including Saudi Arabia against Iran, is contingent on Israeli support for the creation of a Palestinian state.
The US and its Arab partners could release their plan, including a “firm timeline” for creating a Palestinian state, in the next few weeks, according to the Washington Post. It reportedly includes elements that Israel has previously rejected, including the evacuation of West Bank settlements, a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, and a unified security apparatus and government for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
From outside Israel, the proposed deal may seem easy, as it promises both a solution to the Palestinian problem and the creation of a united front against Iran; but within Israel, the idea of peace is ridiculed by both the left and the right.
“To my Israeli ear, it’s so funny that I love you a little,” said Israeli writer and activist Alon Mizrachi when asked whether he believes whether he believes that a peace agreement is possible. “It’s like a child asking the most naive and out of context question. Nobody here is interested in peace. On the contrary.»
“The moment of truth”
However, there is still hope. Professor Trajtenberg says that after four months of war and a total of more than 30,000 people killed, including more than 1,500 Israeli citizens and military personnel, the “moment of truth” for Netanyahu’s fragile governing coalition is approaching.
He doesn't have to hold elections until October 2026, but Gadi Eisenkot and Benny Gantz, former IDF leaders from the opposition National Unity Party who support the current military cabinet, are prepared to resign if current hostage negotiations fail.
If they left, political analysts say, they would lead national protests demanding new elections — something that polls show a majority of Israelis support.
“We need to stop lying to ourselves, be brave and work towards a great deal that brings the hostages home. Their time is running out, and every day that passes puts their lives in danger,” Mr. Eisenkot was quoted as telling his ministerial colleagues in January.
Mr. Netanyahu is also vulnerable to the right. Mr. Smotrich of the Religious Zionist Party and ultranationalist Itamar Ben Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit party threaten to break up the coalition and trigger new elections if any peace agreement is reached.
Final. An element of pressure comes from the IDF and the wider Israeli defense establishment.
There is no love lost between Netanyahu and this group, Israel's most powerful lobby, not least because the prime minister is trying to blame it for the events October 7 and allowed his associates to verbally insult senior generals.
It was into this maelstrom that the CIA director found himself on Thursday evening. He and Biden know there is not enough time to wait for new elections in Israel to reach a deal and are pressuring Netanyahu to act. The stick hasn't worked yet. They can only hope that the carrot is enough for him.
Свежие комментарии