Binyamin Netanyahu's bet on Donald Trump doesn't look so hot
The Israeli government doubled down on it anyway
A point in Kamala Harris’ favor: “The leaders of Israel’s government are unhappy with Vice President Kamala Harris.
“After Harris skipped Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress last week, met with him afterwards, and then commented publicly on the humanitarian toll of the war, they expressed that displeasure. A top Israeli official, briefing reporters anonymously, said that their government has been uncomfortable with her tone and argued that she’s made a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas more difficult.”[1]
That they blame Harris who hasn’t even been elected yet should put to rest any question as to whether Binyamin Netanyahu, whom many Israelis blame for obstructing a ceasefire agreement to release the hostages, is acting in good faith. It’s the ultimate scapegoat move and likely confirms that Netanyahu plans on a Donald Trump victory.
But anyone here in the U.S. has to have observed that the momentum is with Harris, who has shot through the floodgates that opened wide when Joe Biden, after excruciating delay, stepped aside, while Trump faces blowback for his promise to evangelical Protestants that they won’t need to vote in 2028[2] and for his choice of J. D. Vance for a running mate.[3] Right now, while I’m not ready to forecast the outcome myself, it’s reasonable to suggest that Netanyahu’s bet on Trump appears risky.
[1] Kalder McHugh, “Kamala Harris’ Israel test,” Politico, July 29, 2024, https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-nightly/2024/07/29/kamala-harris-israel-test-00171738
[2] Sarah McCammon and Juliana Kim, “Trump tells Christian voters they 'won't have to vote anymore' if he's elected,” National Public Radio, July 27, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/07/27/nx-s1-5054272/trump-christian-wont-vote-anymore-speech; Maegan Vazquez and Sarah Ellison, “Trump faces backlash for ‘in four years, you don’t have to vote again’ remark,” Washington Post, July 27, 2024, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/27/trump-faces-backlash-four-years-you-dont-have-vote-again-remark/
[3] Irie Sentner and Jared Mitovich, “Republicans are already souring on JD Vance,” Politico, July 26, 2024, https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/26/republicans-jd-vance-attacks-00171473