▲ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump
Following the dramatic announcement of an agreement to end the war between the United States and Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing intense domestic backlash.
Israel is virtually viewing the agreement as a "humiliation," with politicians across the political spectrum criticizing Netanyahu for capitulating to foreign pressure.
According to foreign media, former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel's centrist opposition, wrote on social media platform X shortly after the news of the U.S.-Iran peace deal broke: "This agreement is one of the most shocking failures of Israel's 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 lashed out, saying, "With a single scribble of a signature, they erased the massive military achievements secured by the blood of our warriors, while Netanyahu stood on the sidelines." He added, "Netanyahu is good for Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, but bad for Israel."
Political commentator Nahum Barnea wrote in the local daily Yedioth Ahronoth, "Trump is forcing Israel to accept an uncomfortable ceasefire 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 decision to launch airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon, on June 14 (local time), just before the ceasefire agreement was announced, Barnea remarked, "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 deal is a painful blunder for Israel, as it opens the door to easing sanctions on Iran without achieving Israel's initial goals, such as the collapse of the Iranian regime or the dismantling of its 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 toppling the Iranian regime and establishing diplomatic relations with more Arab nations through this war has been completely shattered."
Open rebellion is also erupting among hardliners within the ruling coalition.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right National Security Minister and a key figure in Israel's ruling coalition, asserted on his Telegram channel, "Trump'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.'"
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said in a statement, "I oppose the withdrawal of the IDF 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 citizens from Islamic extremist forces."
Even as the U.S. and Iran have reportedly agreed to end hostilities in Lebanon, the Israeli military has declared its intention to continue fighting indefinitely.
As a result, Netanyahu appears to be facing his greatest political crisis since taking office.
Faced simultaneously with external pressure from President Trump to end the war and domestic criticism of capitulating to foreign powers, observers note that Netanyahu is losing his support base both at home and abroad.
A source familiar with the matter told the WSJ that "Prime Minister Netanyahu sought to arrange an urgent meeting with 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 cases on corruption charges, and his trials—which had been temporarily suspended due to the wartime state—resumed last April.
However, Netanyahu held a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, claiming that the war against Iran was a success.
Regarding his relationship with President Trump, he said, "In many cases, we agree, but there are times we do not," adding, "As the person responsible for Israel's security interests, I will stand firm on what must be done."
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.