Netanyahu: Tough But on Shaky Grounds

Despite his tough and uncompromising stands Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands on shaky grounds.

As reported in the Jewish Maariv daily and highlighted in the Quds News Network, his teflon-factor toughness is dented domestically and daily, as characterized by the popular opposition against his rule, in the street and the Knesset.

Around 55% of Israelis have low confidence in the current military leadership of the country; 73% don’t trust the government and 71% express very low trust in Netanyahu.

Further, 86% are concerned about the security situation in Israel; 73% worried about the economic situation of the country and 63% support the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the army.

Around 500,000 Israelis have left the country since 7 October, 2023, and the Ben Gurion Airport is already packed with travelers wanting to leave following Friday’s Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv.

Netanyahu is visiting the United States with all these statistics staring him in the face.

He is addressing the US Congress and meeting US President Joe Biden amidst a declining trust among Israelis in his leadership.

This is particularly due to his failure to secure a ceasefire that could facilitate an exchange deal with the resistance in Gaza. At the same time the fate of 120-plus Israeli hostages hang in the balance.

At the same time, he is facing intense pressure from far-right ministers who threaten to dissolve the government if he agrees to a deal.

They are insisting that he initiate an all-out war against Lebanon—a conflict that, according to the U.S., could escalate into a regional war, which the U.S. has warned against.

But the US is worried also because Hezbollah is proving a very strong match in the north whilst the Houthis are prepared for an all out war which would disruptive globally.

CrossFireArabia

CrossFireArabia

Dr. Marwan Asmar holds a PhD from Leeds University and is a freelance writer specializing on the Middle East. He has worked as a journalist since the early 1990s in Jordan and the Gulf countries, and been widely published, including at Albawaba, Gulf News, Al Ghad, World Press Review and others.

Related Posts

What Does Trump Want to do About Gaza?

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that there will likely be an announcement concerning the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip within the next 24 hours.

“We’re going to see what’s happening. A lot of talk going on about Gaza right now. You know that, right? So you’ll be knowing probably in the next 24 hours,” Trump said, one day after teasing a “very big announcement.”

Trump declined to specify what the announcement would concern when asked Tuesday, but said it would be “as big as it gets.”

He maintained, however, that it would be “very positive,” and could happen as soon as Thursday, the same time frame as the Gaza announcement he previewed.

It is not clear if Trump was addressing the same matter when he vaguely referred to the Gaza announcement, but his special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly slated to brief members of the UN Security Council on a US and Israeli proposal to facilitate aid deliveries in Gaza.

Earlier reports stated Israel’s Security Cabinet recently approved an aid delivery plan for Palestinians in the enclave via private US security contractors based on handing over aid boxes to individuals.

The UN and all aid groups working in Gaza, however, have rejected the plan, arguing it violates international humanitarian principles.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month opposed the plan.

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking support from other countries while urging the UN to cooperate according to Anadolu.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is an unofficial briefing done in the US mission,” Greece’s UN mission told Anadolu, as it holds the Council presidency for May.

The closed-door meeting comes days before Trump’s Middle East tour, which includes a summit with Gulf leaders on Iran and Gaza.

Continue reading
Oman Mediates US-Houthi Ceasefire

Oman on Tuesday announced that its mediatory efforts led to a ceasefire between the US and Houthis in Yemen, after President Donald Trump said the group will not be carrying out attacks on commercial ships.

“Following recent discussions and contacts conducted by the Sultanate of Oman with the United States and the relevant authorities in Sana’a, in the Republic of Yemen, with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides,” Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said in a statement on X.

“In the future, neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping,” he added.

Expressing appreciation for both parties’ cooperation, Albusaidi said: “The Sultanate of Oman expresses its gratitude to both parties for their constructive approach that led to this welcome outcome, and hopes that it will lead to further progress on many regional issues towards achieving justice, peace, and prosperity for all.”

Houthis started attacking shipping lanes in the Red and Arabian seas after Israel’s war in Gaza, in solidarity with the Palestinians.

In March, Trump launched a military operation against the Yemeni group.

Earlier, during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the White House, Trump said Houthis informed them they will not be carrying out additional attacks on commercial ships, and the US will reciprocate by halting attacks on Yemen, according to Anadolu.

Continue reading

You Missed

What Does Trump Want to do About Gaza?

What Does Trump Want to do About Gaza?

Trump’s Twist With The Houthis

Trump’s Twist With The Houthis

Reshuffling Cards: Trump and Netanyahu’s Nightmare

Reshuffling Cards: Trump and Netanyahu’s Nightmare

Oman Mediates US-Houthi Ceasefire

Oman Mediates US-Houthi Ceasefire