Days after U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been “treated very unfairly by his people,” Israelis in Rishon LeZion delivered a resounding counterpoint, greeting Netanyahu with jubilant cheers and chants of “Bibi Melech Yisrael” (Bibi, King of Israel). The outpouring of support, captured in vibrant footage, followed the U.S.-led Operation Midnight Hammer, which obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan on June 22, cementing Netanyahu’s decades-long campaign against Iran’s nuclear threat.
The crowd’s fervor in Rishon LeZion, a city recently scarred by Iranian missile strikes, reflected a surge of national pride in Israel’s newfound regional dominance. Netanyahu’s methodical planning, praised by Channel 12’s Amit Segal, crippled Iran’s nuclear program and 70-75% of its ballistic missile capabilities, alongside dismantling proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Trump’s comment, made during a Fox News interview on June 22, alluded to Netanyahu’s past political struggles, including protests after October 7 and a 2023 poll showing 56% of Israelis wanted him to resign post-war. Yet, the Rishon LeZion rally, with Israelis waving flags and singing, showcased a shift.
As Israel braces for Iran’s vowed retaliation, with Home Front Command guidelines extended through June 24, the footage of Netanyahu’s warm reception underscores a unified front. Far from unfair treatment, Netanyahu’s leadership, backed by Trump’s “awesome” strike, has galvanized Israelis, heralding a new era of strength.
