Netanyahu at the Crossroads: Strategic Failure, Political Reckoning, and the Urgency for US Action
“I’ve known a lot of prime ministers. Not one of them was a saint, believe me, but they all had one thing in common: When they reached the point where the personal interest came up against the national interest, it was the national interest that always won. There was absolutely no question. Only about...I cannot say it—Bibi.”
Friends,
Throughout history, it has been the power of ordinary people—mobilized in mass movements, united in purpose—that has changed the course of nations. Today, as the world witnesses the deepening crisis in Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu, we must remember that “we the people” possess the power to demand and enact change, even when confronted by some of the most formidable actors on the world stage: the Israel Lobby, Netanyahu himself, and the current wave of Trump-inspired authoritarianism.
Strategic Miscalculation: The Iran-Israel Conflict
Netanyahu once envisioned a military campaign against Iran as the crowning achievement of his security doctrine. Instead, it has produced a strategic failure and deepened the rift with Washington. The war, launched with the expectation of a swift, decisive victory, has instead exposed critical flaws in Israel’s approach:
Strategic Divergence: The interim deal brokered by President Trump with Iran disregarded core Israeli interests—ignoring the dismantling of ballistic missile programs and the rollback of proxy militias.
Loss of Influence: Netanyahu’s once-close partnership with Trump has frayed; he now finds himself sidelined as Trump asserts control over regional policy.
Regional Friction: US pressure for a ceasefire in Lebanon, intended to pave the way for broader engagement with Iran, has been met with outright hostility by Israeli ministers, who see it as an affront to sovereignty.
The Limits of Maximum Force
The reliance on military might, unaccompanied by a credible diplomatic track, has proven disastrous:
Unrealistic Expectations: Israeli leadership clung to the belief that maximum force would topple the Iranian regime. This did not happen.
Resilience of the Opponent: Iran, though battered, remains firmly in power and has actually increased its diplomatic leverage.
Internal Consequences: Netanyahu’s credibility has collapsed at home. With polls plummeting and an election looming in October, the Israeli public has lost faith in his ability to protect national interests.
A Moment of Unprecedented Vulnerability—and Possibility
Despite Netanyahu’s insistence that the war averted existential threats, these claims ring increasingly hollow—both to international observers and to Israeli voters. Israel stands more isolated than before, and even Gulf states now seek de-escalation with Tehran. The idea that military force alone can “finish the job” has been exposed as a dangerous illusion.
Ariel Sharon, in the twilight of his life, grasped something that Netanyahu has refused to acknowledge: Lasting security for Israel cannot be achieved through brute force alone, but demands bold political choices—even ones that challenge old dogmas. As Meir Dagan, Israel’s legendary Mossad chief, once said:
“I’ve known a lot of prime ministers. Not one of them was a saint, believe me, but they all had one thing in common: When they reached the point where the personal interest came up against the national interest, it was the national interest that always won. There was absolutely no question. Only about these two I cannot say it—Bibi and Ehud.”
People Power: The Only Real Leverage
History is filled with moments when mass mobilization—millions marching, lobbying, voting, and refusing to remain silent—has forced the hand of even the most entrenched leaders. We must recognize that neither Netanyahu, nor the Israel Lobby, nor the Trump-aligned authoritarians are immune to the sustained pressure of an awakened populace. People power broke the back of Jim Crow, ended apartheid in South Africa, and brought about peace accords where war seemed inevitable. It is this same force that can, and must, pressure the United States to use its unparalleled leverage over Israel.
The Path Forward: US Leverage and the Need for Change
Netanyahu’s personal interests now stand in stark opposition to Israel’s national interest. The coming October election is more than a political contest; it is a referendum on the very future of Israeli security and democracy. The United States, as Israel’s indispensable ally, must act decisively—using every tool of diplomacy, aid, and pressure—to force a shift away from the failed policies of the past. But the US government will only move if the American people demand it, and if a global chorus of citizens raises its voice.
This is the moment to demand a real political solution—one rooted in security, pragmatism, and a willingness to learn from history rather than repeat its mistakes. Netanyahu has got to go. The United States must not squander its leverage at this critical juncture. The alternative is a perpetuation of strategic drift, deepening divisions, and the abandonment of Israel’s true national interest.
The Urgency of a Two-State Solution
We must be clear: There will be no lasting peace, no sustainable security, until a just two-state solution is forced onto the agenda—by people power, by relentless advocacy, and by refusing to allow leaders to hide behind old excuses. The lessons of Sharon—and the warnings of those like Dagan—make clear that the time for change is now. History will judge us not by the strength of our armies, but by the courage of our convictions and the power of our collective action.
In Solidarity,
Gamy Enriquez, MPA
References
Black, Ian. Enemies and Neighbors: Arabs and Jews in Palestine and Israel, 1917-2017. Atlantic Books, 2017.
Shlaim, Avi. The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World. W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
Mearsheimer, John J., and Stephen M. Walt. The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007.
Morris, Benny. Righteous Victims: A History of the Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881-2001. Vintage, 2001.
Bergman, Ronen. Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations. Random House, 2018.
