Haaretz Columnist: Trump Saved Israel from "Political Suicide" by Forcing Ceasefire and Hostage Deal on Netanyahu

In a controversial analytical article published in the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, columnist and political affairs analyst Yossi Verter asserted that US President Donald Trump played the role of a savior for Israel from its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and from the danger of "political suicide." Verter explained that Trump, having grown weary of Netanyahu's constant procrastination and stalling, decided to impose a comprehensive agreement for a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners and hostages with the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Trump Dictates the New Pace to Netanyahu

Verter points out that Trump did not merely apply diplomatic pressure but "dictated to Netanyahu" the cessation of military operations in Gaza and the immediate commencement of negotiations under the joint regional auspices of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, while ensuring the involvement of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The writer describes Netanyahu's current struggle as "with all the cunning he possesses" to deal with an agreement imposed on him externally. He asserts that Trump, who desires "quick results," sent his son-in-law and former advisor Jared Kushner to lead the contacts, describing Kushner as the "strategic weapon" capable of handling Netanyahu's "cunning and maneuvers," following the failure of former envoy Steve Witkoff.

Trump sent a clear message in a tweet: "I will not tolerate delay," adding that "everyone will be treated fairly," which Verter interpreted as the US President considering Israel and Hamas as equal parties at the negotiating table. Verter continues by noting that Trump, unlike his predecessor Joe Biden, did not merely issue statements but imposed a clear path: an immediate cessation of operations, unconditional negotiations under regional sponsorship, PA involvement in post-war governance, and guarantees to protect Hamas members from prosecution.

The Price of the Deal for Netanyahu and the Warning of Political Suicide

The writer argues that Netanyahu was forced, in return, to abandon his previous plans, which included establishing a military administration in Gaza, annexing parts of the West Bank, freezing plans for building new settlements in the Strip, and accepting a "political horizon for a Palestinian state in the distant future." Verter stressed that this agreement would not have happened if Trump had not "tired of Israeli absurdity" and decided to "save Israel from itself," and from its far-right government which had adopted a "distorted and inverted scale of priorities."

Verter quoted Trump's statement to Channel 12's Israeli correspondent Barak Ravid, in which he said: "Bibi went too far in Gaza, and Israel is losing international support," affirming that Trump's goal is to prevent Israel from "political suicide" due to his government's practices.

Negotiations are an Imposed Reality with No Chance of Sabotage

Verter noted that the timing of the negotiations is not arbitrary, as they begin tomorrow, Monday, in Cairo, with the goal of achieving a breakthrough before the Jewish holiday of "Simchat Torah" in 10 days, making it the day Israel emerges from "the hostage nightmare." The writer believes that the far-right government showed no genuine interest in the lives of civilians, hostages, or soldiers, and that Netanyahu only included the hostage issue as a war aim after pressure from Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot.

Verter is almost certain that "if Trump hadn't tired of Netanyahu's obstacles, the Israeli army would have invaded Gaza, and the hostages would have been killed or disappeared under the rubble." The writer believes that Netanyahu will seek to exploit the agreement politically to pave the way for early elections, even if he temporarily has to dissolve his alliance with the extremist parties "Otzma Yehudit" and "Religious Zionism," led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

The columnist concludes by stating that the implementation of the first phase—the release of all 48 Israeli hostages amid deteriorating health and psychological conditions—is now the "most important test," stressing that this achievement could have been made months ago "if Israel were managed by a sane government, not one thirsty for blood." For Verter, "the train has left the station and will not go back."