Footage: Netanyahu's Psychological Maneuver on Trump Administration Officials | Dr. Liraz Margalit

Dr. Liraz Margalit analyzes a video of Netanyahu conversing with Rubio and Hegseth in Washington, interpreting it as a psychological maneuver: instead of showing weakness, he acts confidently as if relations are normal, forcing the other side to cooperate. The move is described as political gaslighting aimed at the Israeli audience.

Dr. Liraz Margalit analyzes a short video showing Benjamin Netanyahu, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth in a hallway conversation in Washington. According to her, the video is not a random documentation but a calculated psychological maneuver. Netanyahu, whose standing in Washington is shaky and with Trump angry at him, chooses not to enter the conversation from a position of inferiority. Instead, he acts with complete confidence as if relations are normal, forcing the American officials to cooperate within the framework he offers. The move is described as political gaslighting: Netanyahu does not try to convince that the crisis never happened, but behaves as if it is no longer relevant. The analysis emphasizes that the video is primarily intended for Israeli eyes, reinforcing Netanyahu's image as a leader who controls the situation even against an angry American administration.