Israeli Researcher: Netanyahu is Under Unprecedented Pressure from Trump

SadaNews - The American President Donald Trump is asserting his control over the political scene in Israel following the Gaza War, putting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under increasing pressure amid internal criticisms and limited options.

This is affirmed by Israeli researcher Shlomo Libner, a non-resident senior fellow at the "Scowcroft" Initiative for Middle East Security, who has served seven Israeli prime ministers over three decades, in a report published by the American magazine "National Interest".

Libner states that Trump's rush towards finalizing a permanent agreement in Gaza could deliver a fatal blow to the Israeli government.

A strong version of the "changing of the guard" scene, which millions watch annually at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, is currently taking place on the grounds of the former British Empire. The Middle East, where arrangements for the post-Gaza war phase are being hotly debated amid frenzied activity, is in a state of turmoil, with the main parties vying to assert their influence over the region's future. One of these is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is being trampled, or rather experiencing "Trump's trampling", in the midst of this process. The damage he has sustained may be irreparable.

Libner adds that as the fighting in the Gaza Strip approaches its end, a situation that annoys some of Netanyahu's allies who wish for the battle to continue, leadership vacuums have appeared on both sides of the border. Previous initiatives to formulate post-conflict plans for Gaza have yielded no results, due in part to Israel's refusal to allow the Palestinian Authority any role in that phase. The "Hamas" movement, which Netanyahu initially vowed to "eliminate", has exploited this gap to impose violent control over the areas from which the Israeli army has withdrawn. Any hopes of establishing an alternative governance in Gaza will face the possibility of armed resistance from Hamas fighters.

Libner adds that a similar vacuum prevails within Israel itself, where the upper levels of Netanyahu's professional team are nearly emptying. Ron Dermer, his closest advisor, most trusted confidant, and counselor to the Trump administration, has resigned from his position as Minister of Strategic Affairs. His resignation came after the dismissal of Tzachi Hanegbi, the National Security Advisor, on October 21, amid policy disagreements. Meanwhile, Tzachi Braverman, head of Netanyahu's personal office, will soon depart for London to take up the position of Israel's next ambassador to St. James's Court.

This significant change in upper ranks will inevitably leave an operational gap at a critical time for Israel, with the departure of experienced individuals.

As this gap widens, it is actively filled by Trump, who intervenes to assert control over all parties amid the likelihood of the collapse of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, and warned on October 29: "If Hamas does not behave, it will be eliminated." But the actual beneficiary is Israel, as Netanyahu's reliance on U.S. diplomatic, military, and economic generosity makes him beholden to Trump's demands. The president stated in an interview with "60 Minutes" on October 31: "I pushed Netanyahu; I didn't like some of his acts, and you've seen what I did about it."

In recent weeks, Israel has witnessed successive visits from Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kayne, and the presidential peace envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to ensure Netanyahu's compliance with the White House's agenda aimed at ending the confrontation. Alongside the opening of the civilian-military coordination center in Israel, where hundreds of Americans are working to "support stabilization efforts" and "monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement", Trump has solidified his position as the ultimate arbiter in all matters related to Gaza.

Today, Netanyahu, who once boasted of his ability to manage relations with the United States, confidently proclaiming "Leave America to me", finds himself the target of relentless criticism within Israel, accused of conceding his country's sovereignty to Trump. This excessive confidence that characterized him as he sparred with the previous President Joe Biden, constantly attempting to outmaneuver him, has now rebounded against him in the face of what has become akin to "ruling an empire".

Trump advised him on October 4: "You have no choice; with me, you must be completely in sync."

Libner notes that today the Prime Minister is in an unenviable position, as enthusiasm within his government towards Trump, which peaked when the president proposed the idea of controlling Gaza and turning it into the "French Riviera", has collapsed. Trump's commitment to maintaining the ceasefire has led him to downplay Hamas's violations and restrict Israel's freedom of movement. American officials have intervened to cancel Israeli plans for retaliation, which included halting humanitarian aid and expanding the Israeli army's presence in Gaza. Many of Netanyahu's partners were extremely frustrated when Trump bluntly stated to "Time" magazine that annexing the West Bank "will not happen" and that "if Israel does that, it will lose all its support from the United States."

Netanyahu faces strategic challenges in negotiating with Trump regarding the second phase of the ceasefire. Issues concerning the nature of future governance in Gaza, the extent of Hamas's disarmament, and the limits of Israeli army redeployment will all impact the level of Israel's vulnerability to a repeat of the October 7 attack. The Prime Minister's approach to these files, where he will seek the greatest degree of maneuverability, is likely to clash with the president's agenda that tends to offer broader concessions to achieve faster progress.