'Shocking Failure,' 'Reduced to America's Servant': Israel Seethes Internally

Following the dramatic announcement of an agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing severe domestic backlash.

Israel virtually views the agreement as a "humiliation," and criticism is mounting across the political spectrum, with both ruling and opposition parties accusing Netanyahu of capitulating to foreign powers.

According to foreign media, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, leader of Israel's centrist opposition, wrote on the social media platform X shortly after the news of the U.S.-Iran peace agreement broke, "This agreement is one of the most shocking failures of Israeli foreign and security policy."

Lapid criticized, "Netanyahu has claimed 'we changed the Middle East,' but in reality, he changed the Middle East for the worse."

Yair Golan, leader of the left-wing Democrats party, also condemned the deal, saying, "With a single scribble of a signature, they erased the massive military achievements secured with the blood of our warriors, while Netanyahu stood in the stands." He added, "Netanyahu is good for Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, but harmful to Israel."

Political analyst Nahum Barnea wrote in the local daily Yedioth Ahronoth, "Trump (the U.S. President) is forcing Israel to accept an uncomfortable truce in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon, and in the process, Israel has been reduced to the status of a servant rather than an ally."

Regarding Netanyahu's launch of airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon, on June 14 (local time)—just before the announcement of the ceasefire agreement—Barnea criticized, "He is merely a servant pretending to rebel," adding, "The rebellion will not go very far."

Concerns over the agreement are also mounting among former and current Israeli government officials.

Critics point out that the agreement is bound to be a painful mistake for Israel, as it only opened the possibility of easing sanctions on Iran without achieving Israel's original goals, such as the downfall of the Iranian regime or the dismantling of highly enriched uranium (HEU).

Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the United States, told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), "Israel's hope of bringing about a fundamental change in the region by bringing down the Iranian regime and establishing diplomatic relations with more Arab nations through this war has been completely shattered."

Open rebellion is erupting from hardliners within the government itself.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a prominent far-right figure in the ruling coalition, asserted on his Telegram channel, "Trump's (the U.S. President's) agreement does not bind us."

He also emphasized on X, "We love the United States and are grateful to President Trump, but Israel is not a 'banana republic' (a weak nation dependent on foreign aid)."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also stated in a statement, "I oppose the withdrawal of the Israeli military from Lebanon," adding, "Our forces will remain in the security zones of Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip indefinitely to protect our borders and Israeli residents from Islamic extremist forces."

Even as the United States and Iran reportedly agreed to end the fighting in Lebanon, the Israeli military has declared its intention to continue fighting virtually indefinitely.

Consequently, Netanyahu appears to be facing the greatest political crisis since taking office.

Observers note that Netanyahu is losing his support base both at home and abroad, as he simultaneously faces pressure from President Trump to end the war and domestic criticism for capitulating to foreign powers.

A source familiar with the matter told the WSJ that "Prime Minister Netanyahu sought to arrange an urgent meeting with the President (Trump) to resolve these conflicting challenges."

There are also speculations that Netanyahu could be ousted in the general election scheduled for October.

Furthermore, he is already indicted in three criminal corruption cases, and his trials, which had been temporarily suspended due to the wartime state, resumed last April.

However, Prime Minister Netanyahu held a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, claiming that the war against Iran was successful.

Regarding his relationship with President Trump, he said, "In many cases, we agree, but in some cases, we do not," adding, "As the person responsible for Israel's security interests, I will carry out what needs to be done."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.