Trump shouldn't give Netanyahu the confrontation he wants | Gershon Baskin

Dr. Gershon Baskin analyzes the American strategy toward Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli elections. Washington avoids a public confrontation with Netanyahu to avoid strengthening him, but Baskin warns that this avoidance should not become tacit approval for establishing facts on the ground, especially in the West Bank, which could eliminate Trump's plan for Gaza and the political horizon.

Dr. Gershon Baskin analyzes in his article the American strategy toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli elections. According to him, Washington understands that a public confrontation with Netanyahu before the elections could actually strengthen him, and therefore they refrain from fully pushing for the implementation of the 15-point roadmap for Gaza, approved on July 30. However, Baskin warns that avoiding confrontation should not become tacit approval for establishing facts on the ground, especially in the West Bank. He describes the danger from extremist forces in Netanyahu's coalition, who seek to eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state through expanding settlements, pushing out Palestinian communities, and talk of transfer. Baskin calls on Trump to set clear red lines with Netanyahu, expand embassy presence in the field, and impose sanctions on perpetrators of settler violence. At the same time, he urges advancing technical preparations for implementing the peace plan in Gaza even before the elections, so that time is not wasted afterward. The article emphasizes the need for balance: not applying public pressure that would help Netanyahu, but also not allowing him to destroy Trump's peace plan.