Benjamin Netanyahu’s domestic rivals are organizing protests demanding the immediate return of the hostages by means of a deal with Hamas. At the same time, the White House is working to advance just such a deal while also criticizing Netanyahu for failing to embrace a revitalized Palestinian Authority as the best way to bring peace and security to Israel. Most Israelis reject the terms of a deal that are on offer. Even more reject the Palestinian Authority. But there’s a powerful elite that wants to impose it, and the cracks in the coalition are beginning to show. Plus, it’s hard to say no to the United States.
Michael Doran is Director of the Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East and a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C.
Gadi Taub is an author, historian, and op-ed columnist. He is co-host of Tablet’s Israel Update podcast.