Israel's Political Paralysis Dashes Washington Hopes for US-Israeli Reset
Political paralysis in Israel following elections has dashed Washington hopes of resetting US-Israeli relations under Benjamin Netanyahu. US officials note growing fatigue with the Israeli leader as coalition uncertainty persists.
The ongoing political paralysis in Israel following the elections has shattered Washington administration hopes of resetting US-Israeli relations, which have suffered numerous shocks during the tenure of Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, the latest election results will necessitate prolonged coalition negotiations, which could potentially lead to yet another round of elections.
Despite former President Donald Trump's public support for Netanyahu, officials in the US administration and across both parties in Congress had hoped the Israeli opposition would prevail and begin repairing ties that have deteriorated in recent years. "This was an opportunity to stop the bleeding by running Israel in a less provocative manner," noted a former senior Trump administration official, adding, "There is fatigue with Netanyahu here."
Opposition to Netanyahu's government in Washington spans the political spectrum, ranging from moderate and progressive Democrats to senior Trump administration figures like Vice President JD Vance, and even segments of Trump's base that oppose US involvement in foreign wars. Netanyahu is associated with many Israeli policies unpopular among American voters, including the military campaign in Gaza and encouraging confrontation with Iran.
Sources close to Trump noted that while his support for Netanyahu stems in part from a personal bond, the US president has previously expressed frustration with the Israeli leader, reportedly once calling him "crazy." Some pro-Israel Republicans hope for a more moderate change in the Israeli government, such as a unity government that would sideline extreme elements like Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir.
Former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro addressed the decline in Israel's standing in the United States: "The deterioration of Israel's standing among the American public is visible in every poll and across all demographics. This is especially true among young Americans, and much of that negativity is tied to Netanyahu."
