Gaza Crisis - Politcal Opportunity
Trump Pushed Bibi Into His Favorite Corner: "Playing Victim"
“Pressed by Washington, Netanyahu thrives on appearing constrained, using outside pressure as political fuel to keep his grip on power.”
Benjamin Netanyahu has once again found himself exactly where he likes to be: pressed against the wall by an American administration. In this position, he can pretend that external forces are tying his hands, that he desperately wants to push forward with bold security and nationalist policies, but someone else is stopping him.
This is not accidental. His former adviser, Moshe Klughaft, revealed years ago that this is precisely Netanyahu’s preferred political posture.
According to Klughaft, Netanyahu actually prefers Democrats in power in Washington, because it allows him to tell his base that he is trying, but being blocked by outsiders.
Of course, we all know that Donald Trump voiced support for population transfer months ago. Yet Netanyahu dragged his feet, not because he opposed the idea in principle, but because his true priority is simply staying in power - and for that, he can't do anything to dramatic west of the Jordan River.
Now, after meeting with more than ten Arab and Muslim leaders, Trump has undoubtedly heard the clear and unapologetic demand that Israel must not annex territory in Judea and Samaria, nor reestablish settlements in Gaza.
This dynamic, ironically, provides Netanyahu the perfect excuse to avoid pursuing something he never truly wanted in the first place, Rebuilding Jewish settlements in Gaza.
So why has he prolonged the war for so long? Some will point to the unresolved hostage crisis, but the deeper reason is simpler: political survival.
As long as “the day after October 7” never truly arrives in israel, Netanyahu’s government remains secure. With or without annexation...
What really matters is that Netanyahu continues to hold on to power.