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Israeli opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have joined forces to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and lead Israel’s next government. But while he has much to criticize Netanyahu, he has little to complain about his wars in Gaza and the rest of the region.
Those wars – especially the massacre in Gaza, with more than 72,000 Palestinians killed – have made Israel more unpopular than ever. But Bennett and Lapid, former prime ministers, appear to be betting that they can rehabilitate Israel’s international reputation if they enter the elections scheduled for late October.
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Implementation the government’s demand in April, Bennett, who is on the right side of Israel’s politics, promised the voters a “time to fix”, where “experts” who “only think about the good of Israel” can lead the country, instead of the division and isolation that Netanyahu brought.
In the rest of the world, Israel finds itself more isolated than ever. The United Nations work He has confirmed that Israel has indeed killed people in Gaza. In Europe, many countries, such as Spain, Norway, and the Republic of Ireland, have been criticizing Israel without fear, and the pressure is increasing. inside The European Union is suspending the bloc’s trade agreement with Israel. Even among its staunchest ally, the United States, polls repeatedly show on both sides of the political divide growing anger over Israel’s multiple wars and its influence on US politics.
And, of course, Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.
Isolation
“Israel is becoming isolated,” Beth Oppenheim, a fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told Al Jazeera, referring to the US and European vote. “Meanwhile, Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu have maintained their “bromance” in public, despite the cracks that appeared during the Iran-Lebanon war, the President giving embarrassing statements to Israel on Social Truth.”
In Europe, too, Israel has become more prominent, with only memories of the Holocaust and more concerns about trade and weapons representing a way of communication, he added.
And yet, on the question of the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, and the occupation of the Palestinian people, Bennett and Lapid have few objections – and sometimes they say that Netanyahu has not gone too far.
Instead of speaking to the thousands of people that Israel has killed in Gaza since 2023 or the hardships of poverty that were forced on the survivors of this group, last year Bennett established the Palestinian group Hamas as a permanent resident of the remaining civilian areas of Gaza, thereby justifying the Israeli attack.
“Of course, they’re relying on the idea that it’s not Israel that’s hated around the world, but Netanyahu,” Alon Pinkas, Israel’s former ambassador and ambassador in New York, told Al Jazeera, “that’s fine, but that’s not what he’s going to be judged on. bellicose.”
“At no time has it questioned Israel’s position in Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz or Iran,” Pinkas said. “Will they ask if the government fell, why the people didn’t rise up as Netanyahu said, or give a new policy regarding Palestine? No.
The only friend who counts
Although European leaders have been more open than ever against Israel, the relationship that is most important to Israel – and US leaders – remains intact. And Bennett and Lapid will prioritize maintaining this relationship.
“Bennett wants Trump on his side,” political analyst Mitchell Barak told Al Jazeera.
“Europe and many in the West will do what they are doing,” he said of Israel’s lack of concern about Europe’s anger. “But Israel’s security and its relationship with the US is what will help the people. Right now, Netanyahu has that, but we know that Trump can be unpredictable and, if Netanyahu seems to be slipping, Trump hates a loser.”
The extent of Israel’s isolation from Europe may also be open, analysts said.
Western governments have long benefited from the intelligence gathered by Israel, as well as benefiting from trade with the country, particularly with its advanced technology and espionage programs. A change in the workforce at the top, Oppenheim said, would be enough to signal a return to many states.
“Despite the growing hatred of Israel in the West, many governments still hope that they will not have to act. A new, transparent government will give leaders the opportunity to renew relations with Israel,” Oppenheim said.
“But the new Israeli government will not change the situation. It can follow the plan of the Palestinian state, stop the terrorist attacks of those who live in the country, and it can have the opportunity to give an agreement,” he said. “However, there is a consensus among all Israeli Jewish parties in rejecting a Palestinian state while adhering to the anti-security doctrine.” Netanyahu’s main opponent, Naftali Bennett, is a true right-wing intellectual, while Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Lapid and other liberals (in Israel) compete for victory.”
Therefore, European countries are facing trials. They may take Netanyahu’s ouster as an opportunity to ease pressure on Israel, much of which has become a political necessity stemming from public distaste for Israel’s actions. Or they could suggest that Israel needs to change its ways, not its leaders – essentially telling Israel that pro-Israel reforms are long overdue.
“A respectful Israeli leadership that makes the right noise may be the only ticket to allowing Western governments to reform,” Oppenheim said. “But if the policies of the government do not change, Israel will not be able to end relations with the West in the long run.”
