How Trump and Netanyahu - the democratic world's current champions of right-wing authoritarian populism - perfected contempt for the public they claim to represent
1. You are wrong if you think that in much of the world sees Netanyahu as “a polished leader who has navigated Israel through wars, technological transformation, regional realignment, and international isolation.” In Europe, and now increasingly in the United States, he is seen as a genocidal oppressor of the guiltless Palestinians, a liar, and (in a classic antisemitic trope) a puppet master, with Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer dancing on his string. I’m not sure that even Israelis who are inured to Israel being hated and in their eyes treated unfairly by the world understand just how much Netanyahu is seen as a symbol of the country, and how much he is despised.
2. A rupture between Trump and Netanyahu seems inevitable. Trump needs quiet in Lebanon for any deal with Iran. Netanyahu dreads Trump’s deal, and for political as well as security reasons cannot allow Iran to strengthen Hezbollah. The bombing will continue.
3. Both men face elections this fall, but only Netanyahu could lose his job. But who will his opponent be? While the American system of long campaigns certainly has its flaws, in America we’d know, and that opponent would have a platform to attack the leader. I don’t see that in Israel.
4. Assuming Netanyahu loses, his successor will face a stronger Iran. Dealing with that danger will require international support that will only come if there is a real, just and painful settlement with the Palestinians, which would face violent opposition from the settlers and their allies. Will the next leader be wise and strong enough to do it? I’m pessimistic, but mazel tov to my Israeli friends.
Hard to argue with all this. Except to say that as long as there is Hamas a Palestinian solution is probably impossible, so improvisations will be necessary.
Dan: Nice work. Appreciate your ability to call out authoritarianism and the USA president's choice of the new DNI director who is very unqualified as articulated. Thanks for contrasting the weaknesses of GOP and DEM leaders. That's being honest and fair with the pen. National security and economics, simply understood, continue to fuel populist politics. All of us boomers will one day turn it over to Gen X, Millenials, Alpha. You think we have problems, now?!
A few thoughts:
1. You are wrong if you think that in much of the world sees Netanyahu as “a polished leader who has navigated Israel through wars, technological transformation, regional realignment, and international isolation.” In Europe, and now increasingly in the United States, he is seen as a genocidal oppressor of the guiltless Palestinians, a liar, and (in a classic antisemitic trope) a puppet master, with Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer dancing on his string. I’m not sure that even Israelis who are inured to Israel being hated and in their eyes treated unfairly by the world understand just how much Netanyahu is seen as a symbol of the country, and how much he is despised.
2. A rupture between Trump and Netanyahu seems inevitable. Trump needs quiet in Lebanon for any deal with Iran. Netanyahu dreads Trump’s deal, and for political as well as security reasons cannot allow Iran to strengthen Hezbollah. The bombing will continue.
3. Both men face elections this fall, but only Netanyahu could lose his job. But who will his opponent be? While the American system of long campaigns certainly has its flaws, in America we’d know, and that opponent would have a platform to attack the leader. I don’t see that in Israel.
4. Assuming Netanyahu loses, his successor will face a stronger Iran. Dealing with that danger will require international support that will only come if there is a real, just and painful settlement with the Palestinians, which would face violent opposition from the settlers and their allies. Will the next leader be wise and strong enough to do it? I’m pessimistic, but mazel tov to my Israeli friends.
Hard to argue with all this. Except to say that as long as there is Hamas a Palestinian solution is probably impossible, so improvisations will be necessary.
Dan: Nice work. Appreciate your ability to call out authoritarianism and the USA president's choice of the new DNI director who is very unqualified as articulated. Thanks for contrasting the weaknesses of GOP and DEM leaders. That's being honest and fair with the pen. National security and economics, simply understood, continue to fuel populist politics. All of us boomers will one day turn it over to Gen X, Millenials, Alpha. You think we have problems, now?!
I believe you were writing about democracy.
But removing an incumbent President from running for a second term:that’s real democracy.
You wanted Biden to run again?