Netanyahu squeezed by US, Lebanon war, Iran ceasefire
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Israel and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend, halting after US President Trump called both sides to “stop shooting” on Monday.
- Israel continues strikes on southern Lebanon, a condition Iran insists be met for any US‑Iran ceasefire agreement.
- Trump warned that if attacks on Iran continue, Israel would be left to its own devices.
- Alon Pinkas, former Israeli ambassador, said Netanyahu is in a major political and diplomatic bind, citing three “failed” wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
- Poll by the Israeli Democracy Institute in April showed an overwhelming majority of Israelis urging the war on Lebanon to continue, regardless of US position.
- Naftali Bennett condemned Netanyahu’s Lebanon strategy, calling it a “contemptible policy of containment” and stressing Israeli responsibility for security.
- Elections scheduled before the end of October could jeopardize Netanyahu’s re‑election as support falls in northern Israel and an anti‑Netanyahu bloc gains momentum.
Why it matters: Netanyahu’s dwindling domestic support and opposition criticism erode his re‑election chances, while Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon jeopardize the fragile US‑Iran ceasefire; Trump’s warning that Israel will be on its own if attacks continue threatens U.S. backing and emboldens Iran and Hezbollah.
