In today’s Middle East, it is crucial to recognize that Israel has become completely out of control, with no international actor willing to rein it in. This reality should have been apparent in July 2024, during the final days of the Biden administration, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress. By that time, his government had committed atrocious war crimes in Gaza and Lebanon, killed Iran’s Ayatollah and many political and scientific leaders, occupied parts of Syria, destroyed much of Syria’s military capacity, and deepened sectarian strife there. Simultaneously, violent Israeli settlers, backed by the military, terrorized Palestinians in the West Bank, systematically demolishing thousands of homes.
Netanyahu's Defiant Address to Congress
In his address to Congress, Netanyahu boasted that Israel’s murderous behavior demonstrated its dominance in the Middle East, fighting and winning on seven fronts. “You are not defending us,” he claimed, “we are defending you,” framing his bloody rampage as Israel leading the effort to protect Western civilization against Eastern barbarism. Despite the inflammatory and disgraceful nature of his words and actions, he received applause from Republicans and some Democrats, with only a handful of Democratic members vigorously protesting. The Biden administration left it to Vice President Harris to issue a mild rebuke.
Pattern of US Deference Across Administrations
Over the past five US administrations, outright support for Israeli crimes, or silence and timidity in the face of them, has fostered Israel’s impunity and megalomaniacal sense of mission. President Clinton termed Netanyahu impossible or ridiculous; Obama considered him “incorrigible”; and even Trump expressed frustration with harsh, obscene language. Yet none took firm steps to rein him in. Following President Trump’s half-baked “deal” to end his costly war with Iran, Netanyahu has been quiet, leaving criticism to ministers and opposition leaders. Vice President JD Vance’s rebuke of Israeli critics was noteworthy, but without threats of serious policy changes, his words will be dismissed.
Deeper Israeli Problem Beyond Netanyahu
Israel’s dangerous impunity and expansive sense of mission are not solely a Netanyahu problem. Historically, during the Clinton and Obama years, when the US wanted Israel to stop settlement expansion or honor agreements, administrations hesitated to take tough measures or use strong language, fearing it would be counterproductive and embolden hardliners. As a result, no crackdowns occurred on Israeli governments led by Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Ehud Olmert, or Naftali Bennett. This deference, never shown toward Palestinian or Arab leaders, has emboldened Israeli hardliners, who now dominate Israeli politics.
Opposition Parties More Hawkish
While “liberals” contest Netanyahu’s coalition, their liberalism is defined by opposition to his corruption, authoritarian instincts, and courting of ultra-Orthodox religious policies. Opposition parties in the next election are not only refusing to challenge his war policies but are posing as more hawkish on wars and Palestinian treatment. Main contenders for a post-Netanyahu government have condemned his ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, denounced his subservience to Trump as making Israel a “vassal state,” and criticized the US-Iran peace agreement. The self-described “liberal” Democratic party suggests the agreement threatens to “erase all of the gains Israel had achieved” in its war on Iran.
Need for Fundamental Change
US liberals must understand that the problem is not just Netanyahu; his defeat will not bring “Happy Days Are Here Again.” It is an entire political culture gone off the rails. Change will only come if Israel pays a price through ending aid and political and military cooperation, creating a shock that forces a political reckoning. Without action, Israel’s rogue behavior will continue to set the Middle East on fire, making the US complicit in all it does.
Dr. James J. Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute.
