Israel must listen to its friends, not dismiss their warnings - editorial

The Jerusalem Post editorial argues that Israel should heed warnings from American supporters like Bill Ackman and Ambassador Mike Huckabee about ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich damaging Israel's reputation. Ackman posted on X/Twitter that the two ministers caused enormous reputational damage, while Huckabee told the Post that West Bank violence was harming Israel's standing even among Republicans. The editorial states that criticism must be judged on its merits and that coalition calculations cannot be the only measure of national interest.

The Jerusalem Post editorial argues that Israel must listen to warnings from its friends abroad, specifically addressing criticism from billionaire investor Bill Ackman and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Ackman posted on X/Twitter that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have caused Israel "enormous reputational damage" and that a government without them would signal a new beginning, help restore credibility, and improve prospects for expanding the Abraham Accords. The editorial notes that Ackman has praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership since October 7, making his criticism politically uncomfortable but valuable. Ambassador Huckabee told the Post in September that violence against Palestinians in the West Bank was damaging Israel's reputation, including among Republicans, and that condemning Palestinian violence while refusing to condemn Israeli violence would be hypocritical. The editorial argues there is a moral obligation to scrutinize violence and humiliating treatment regardless of headlines, and that ministers hold public authority whose words carry weight. It acknowledges limits to Ackman's prescription, noting that removing two ministers would not automatically restore Israel's standing or resolve policy disagreements. The piece concludes that the test for any coalition should be whether it can protect the country while governing responsibly and maintaining credibility abroad.