Photo: Marc Israel Sellem / The Jerusalem Post
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has to answer to the entire Israeli people, not just to the supporters of the conservative media. His recent visit to the United States and meeting with former President Donald Trump had far-reaching consequences, but the most controversial was Trump’s unexpected proposal for the future of Gaza, The Jerusalem Post writes.
According to The New York Times, even Netanyahu’s closest advisers were caught off guard by the announcement, as they learned about it only minutes before the joint press conference at the White House.
Trump proposed a radical plan – the actual resettlement of more than two million Gazans, after which the United States would take over the reconstruction of the region. The reaction of Israeli politicians was mixed: opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz acknowledged that the idea deserved to be discussed.
And what does Netanyahu himself think?
To find out the answer, he had to turn to the American right-wing media. In an interview with Fox News, he called Trump’s plan “an amazing idea,” saying:
“What’s wrong with giving Gazans who want to leave the opportunity to do so? They can leave and then return. We have to rebuild Gaza”.
In Israel, Netanyahu spoke only to Channel 14, the only local media outlet that received an interview from Washington. The rest of the journalists, whom the prime minister considers to be critical, did not receive any response.
Netanyahu has long avoided tough questions. His last press conference was held on 9 December – and even then he limited himself to attacking KAN and Channel 12 journalists, accusing them of “fake news” and “slander”.
Yes, the Israeli media often criticise Netanyahu, and their political stance is hardly neutral. But the prime minister is not only the leader of his supporters. He has to answer to all citizens of the country, especially in times of crisis.
Israelis deserve to know how the government plans to proceed with the war against Hamas, how it is responding to US initiatives, and what steps will be taken to free the hostages.
If Netanyahu wants to remain the leader of the whole country, not just Channel 14 viewers, he must start acting like it.
