Israel must repair its strategic triangle with the US and American Jewry - opinion

Former Foreign Ministry director-general Avi Gil argues that Israel's strategic triangle with the US and American Jewry is cracking. He identifies three illusions weakening ties: that hasbara works, that the relationship is symmetrical, and that Netanyahu understands America. Gil calls on the next government to pursue a Palestinian resolution, embrace democratic values, and recognize Jewish pluralism.

Former Foreign Ministry director-general Avi Gil argues that Israel's strategic triangle with the United States and American Jewry is showing troubling cracks. He identifies three illusions that have weakened these ties: the illusion that hasbara (public diplomacy) can substitute for substantive policy; the illusion of symmetry in the US-Israel relationship, when Israel is existentially dependent on American support; and the illusion that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uniquely understands America, citing the recent example of Jared Kushner being sent to negotiate with Hamas in Cairo. Gil calls on the next Israeli government to take concrete steps: chart a path toward resolving the Palestinian issue, embrace the democratic values of Israel's Declaration of Independence, and recognize Jewish pluralism by implementing the Western Wall compromise. He argues that repair requires policy change, not better PR.