Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that Tel Aviv is losing American support. He said that Israel was increasingly viewed as a “leper state” and “losing the Republican party.”
In a Facebook post published Tuesday, Bennet wrote, “Truth alert. Israel’s status in the United States is collapsing.” “The Democratic Party has long not been with us.” The post continued, “The Republican Party that once could be trusted to support Israel, we are losing it as well.”
Polling shows a growing number of Americans are against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, and a majority view Israel unfavorably. However, Tel Aviv still maintains bipartisan support among US political leadership. A recent vote on cutting $500 million in military aid only gained six votes in the House.
Bennet notes that while Tel Aviv still receives unconditional support from President Donald Trump, young Republicans are turning against Israel. “Although part of the Trump administration still supports Israel first and foremost thanks to President Trump himself, but many in the right-wing environment in the United States, including in the MAGA movement, are moving away from Israel,” he wrote. “The younger generation, even the Republican, is far less a fan of Israel.”
An April survey from Pew found 50% of Republicans under 50 had an unfavorable view of Israel. Bennet said the trend in the US is to view Israel as a “leper country.” The former prime minister made his dire assessment after spending ten days in the US.
Israel has placed Gaza under a near-total blockade, creating a humanitarian crisis. Bennet explained, “Even those who were our friends find it difficult to defend the country of Israel.”
As a solution to Israel’s image crisis, Bennett suggested Netanyahu place a high priority on developing propaganda rather than ending the war in Gaza.
