After the elections, Israel must repair the damage Netanyahu did to its US alliance - opinion

Gideon Argov argues that after the October elections, Israel's next government must urgently repair the damage done to the US-Israel alliance under Benjamin Netanyahu. The piece contends that Netanyahu's tactical military successes were not translated into strategic statecraft, leading to eroded bipartisan American support. Argov cites missed opportunities on hostage deals, Lebanon normalization, and Gaza governance, and calls for a new government to stop interfering in US politics and consider forgoing American military aid.

Gideon Argov argues that as Israel heads toward pivotal elections in October 2026, the country's international standing is at a nadir, particularly in the United States. The piece contends that after decades of Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership, a new government must immediately begin repairing the damage caused by a surfeit of tactical success coupled with a deficit of strategic common sense. Argov acknowledges Israel's military victories since October 7, including against Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the regime in Iran, as well as the revolution in Syria and a new Lebanese government interested in normalization. However, he argues these successes were not translated into creative statecraft. The article claims Netanyahu could have sealed a deal to release all live hostages earlier but was forced to accept a deal by US President Donald Trump at the cost of lives. It also states Netanyahu could have been responsive to the Lebanese government's attempts to initiate talks and could have agreed to allow a Palestinian technocrat government in Gaza, but demurred due to coalition pressures from his Jewish supremacist partners. Argov asserts that Netanyahu has overseen the transformation of Israel from a bipartisan object of American support into a country perceived as morally suspect and arrogant. He calls for the next government to stop interfering in American domestic politics and to voluntarily notify the US that it intends to forego American military aid, arguing Israel is wealthy enough to pay for its own defense.