Israel is a banana republic: Netanyahu and the Likud owe the US an apology - opinion
| Published date | 12 April 2024 |
| Author | SHLOMO MAITAL |
| Publication title | Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel) |
US political support for Israel has historically been unflinching. The daily Haaretz reported in February that "fifty-three times since 1972, the United States has cast a veto in the UN Security Council against anti-Israel resolutions or condemnations of Israel." The latest was on February 21.
The most vetoes, 21, came under president Barack Obama, who was regarded by some Israelis as unfriendly.
Special relationship
Over 60 years ago, in December 1962, president John F. Kennedy told Israeli foreign minister Golda Meir: "The United States has a special relationship with Israel in the Middle East, really comparable only to that which it has with Britain over a wide range of world affairs."
Yet according to [US Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer, arguably Israel's best American friend for decades, the top Senate Democrat, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the United States, speaking on the Senate floor: "Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel. He has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza, which is pushing support for Israel worldwide to historic lows. Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah."
In an interview on March 9, US President Joe Biden said: "Netanyahu has a right to defend Israel…but he must pay more attention to the innocent lives being lost as a consequence of the actions taken. In my view, he is hurting Israel more than helping Israel."
New York Times columnist Tom Friedman wrote that Netanyahu is "making Israel radioactive," calling him "the worst Jewish leader in history."
And in early March, the CIA's Annual US Threat Assessment stated that "Netanyahu's government could be in jeopardy over its war management in Gaza."
Banana republic
Responding to Senator Schumer, Netanyahu's Likud party said, "Prime Minister Netanyahu leads a determined policy that is supported by a huge majority of the people. Israel is an independent and proud democracy that elected Prime Minister Netanyahu, not a banana republic."
Two falsehoods there.
A clear majority of Israelis oppose Netanyahu and his crumbling far-Right coalition. A recent Channel 12 poll showed that in a national election, a coalition led by Benny Gantz would gain 69 Knesset seats, compared to a Netanyahu-led bloc that would secure only 46. The...
To continue reading
Request your trial