'We must pave the way to oust Netanyahu': Former Israeli PM
2 Min Read
Trump's unpredictability is a key element of his power, and it seems that Netanyahu's visit will involve symbolic gestures, though the discussions behind closed doors will be decisive, as per Ehud Barak's opinion piece.
-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and President Donald Trump stand as they prepare to depart after the normalization deal signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Sept. 15, 2020, in Washington. (AP)
In a new opinion published by Haaretz, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak argued that US President Donald Trump will press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finalize key agreements, particularly regarding captives and Gaza while leveraging a Saudi deal.
He stressed that Netanyahu faces political and domestic challenges, particularly with the judicial overhaul, risking what he described as "Israel’s democratic values."
"First, Trump will twist Netanyahu's arm, but the responsibility for stopping the march toward a dictatorship lies with us," the former Israeli PM wrote in his opinion piece.
In Barak's view, Donald Trump's unpredictability is a key element of his power, and it seems that Benjamin Netanyahu's visit will involve symbolic gestures, though the discussions behind closed doors will be decisive.
Barak calls for civil disobedience to prevent 'Israel’s' drift toward autocracy
Trump is expected to demand that Netanyahu complete the captive deal initiated last May, which Netanyahu had previously rejected, resulting in casualties, as per the piece.
In contrast to Netanyahu’s public stance, this may be the reality he will have to accept, especially with the potential deal with Saudi Arabia, Barak emphasized.
Trump's leadership, as per the piece, could lead Netanyahu to shift his stance and support the deal, even possibly calling for early elections.
Barak went on to say that Netanyahu is under political pressure, particularly regarding the return of the captives, the situation in Gaza, and domestic policy matters.
Despite these challenges, Netanyahu’s government may survive, according to Barak, who urges preparing for the possibility of toppling Netanyahu’s government and resisting the judicial overhaul.
The former Israeli prime minister concluded by saying that "preparations for extensive and non-violent civil disobedience must be expedited, with steps taken to hasten the toppling of this government, before it casts us all down into the abyss of a dark and corrupt messianic autocracy."
