Netanyahu is a true patriot. When Ehud Olmert was Prime Minister, Netanyahu was leader of the opposition. When war broke out with Lebanon, Netanyahu went international arguing Israel's case, not opposing anything that Olmert and his government were doing. In other words, when there was a crisis, he fell into line behind the government that he opposed, to work with it to accomplish Israel's war aims. He stopped being a politician, and became and advocate for Israel's (and Olmert's) position. He was working for Israel, not for himself.
I'm glad people are responding to the rational situation. One of the challenges has been that the EXTREMISTS & TERRORISTS have always been vocal and violent. Rational people have been quiet. They have set the TERMS of ENGAGEMENT.
PM Netanyahu, whom my whole family respectively calls ‘Bibi’, knows what must be done finally and completely. He has the support in both military arms and the heart of Trump. Love him or not, Trump is 100% for Israel and for not living with savages next door. Bibi’s only barrier, besides the liberal political hacks, is the precious souls still being held and doubtless, held in the most dangerous areas.
Bibi is one of the most consequential politicians in Israel's history, and even world wide in the post Cold War era, and deserves enormous credit for modernizing Israel's economy, and for his diplomatic moves such as the Abraham accords. But, (There is always a But, isn't there) he clearly stayed too long at the party and he probably deserves a fair amount of the blame for 10/7 (although there is a lot of blame to go around).
One reason he wants to stay in the PM chair is his legal entanglements. What I would like to know if there is any mechanism for pardoning him and ending his trials under Israeli law. A retirment in return for immunity would be a good trade.
Don't say we can't get along without him. He is 75 yro. he will be gone and not in the long run, but in the short to medium run.
You say “he clearly stayed too long at the party.” I say “clearly to you. To me the opposite is clear.”
Without knowing (none of can, yet) you are comfortable saying “[H]e probably deserves a fair amount of the blame for 10/7 (although there is a lot of blame to go around).”
Maybe. The rule is: innocent until proven guilty.
One reason he wants to leave the PM chair is to clear his name of his politically trumped-up legal entanglements. Unfortunately for him, his work is too important.
It is incorrect to claim that this latest new has sparked the protests against Bibi's policy. He has been under protest by a great many parts of the opposition, for many months even before this war began.
It is all a direct political effort to oust him from his role as prime minister. The demonstrations have taken place for a number of claimed reasons, but in fact they are less related to his policies and more related to the fact that with a small majority of total coalition supporting members of the knesset, the opposition would naturally seek to make a big show of demonstration their opposition to almost anything he might decide to do!
My question is that should he really become isolated and a new government formed, how would it be possible for it to agree and be led by somebody who is REALLY able to make sensible decisions, without even more opposition and resentment? It seems to me to be very short-sighted when in fact no serious opposition leadership is possible with agreement and that the opposition does not actually have the better power for making acceptable decisions, with so many varied opposing political parties having their different kinds of say.
Bibi is IQ smart but very lacking in EQ smarts. One of the reasons he’s still alive politically is that there is no competition. Not in his party and not in any other political party. It does not bode well for Israel in the long run.
In a previous book a few years ago you wrote that Israelis put their children to bed knowing that they will be safe in the morning with Netanyahu at the helm. Did October 7 changed this??
Great article about a great leader.
But....may I add 1 point that you've missed?
Netanyahu is a true patriot. When Ehud Olmert was Prime Minister, Netanyahu was leader of the opposition. When war broke out with Lebanon, Netanyahu went international arguing Israel's case, not opposing anything that Olmert and his government were doing. In other words, when there was a crisis, he fell into line behind the government that he opposed, to work with it to accomplish Israel's war aims. He stopped being a politician, and became and advocate for Israel's (and Olmert's) position. He was working for Israel, not for himself.
I see that in his story. Great point. I have do doubt that he serves the Zionist ideal: preserving the Jewish state.
Interesting article about an amazing person. Incredibly smart capable leaders can transform a country and perhaps even the world.
The REALITY is that no matter how good someone is at doing what they do, there are those that bitch & moan for their own reasons.
In the United States, we saw this with Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan & now of course with Donald Trump.
Without such brilliant and transformative leaders countries collapse eventually.
We also have to understand that a lot of the opposition to these rare kinds of leaders is from those in opposition to the country.
I don't have to remind everyone some of the evil political, etc. forces that are out there!
I'm glad people are responding to the rational situation. One of the challenges has been that the EXTREMISTS & TERRORISTS have always been vocal and violent. Rational people have been quiet. They have set the TERMS of ENGAGEMENT.
Love Bibi. Love Donald. Am Yisrael Chai!
PM Netanyahu, whom my whole family respectively calls ‘Bibi’, knows what must be done finally and completely. He has the support in both military arms and the heart of Trump. Love him or not, Trump is 100% for Israel and for not living with savages next door. Bibi’s only barrier, besides the liberal political hacks, is the precious souls still being held and doubtless, held in the most dangerous areas.
Michael Oren, I hope you will write a biography of Netanyahu.
A wonderful paean to Bibi. Jabotinski chai!
Always bet on Israel.
They are yet to start a war, and yet to lose one.
Bibi is one of the most consequential politicians in Israel's history, and even world wide in the post Cold War era, and deserves enormous credit for modernizing Israel's economy, and for his diplomatic moves such as the Abraham accords. But, (There is always a But, isn't there) he clearly stayed too long at the party and he probably deserves a fair amount of the blame for 10/7 (although there is a lot of blame to go around).
One reason he wants to stay in the PM chair is his legal entanglements. What I would like to know if there is any mechanism for pardoning him and ending his trials under Israeli law. A retirment in return for immunity would be a good trade.
Don't say we can't get along without him. He is 75 yro. he will be gone and not in the long run, but in the short to medium run.
You say “he clearly stayed too long at the party.” I say “clearly to you. To me the opposite is clear.”
Without knowing (none of can, yet) you are comfortable saying “[H]e probably deserves a fair amount of the blame for 10/7 (although there is a lot of blame to go around).”
Maybe. The rule is: innocent until proven guilty.
One reason he wants to leave the PM chair is to clear his name of his politically trumped-up legal entanglements. Unfortunately for him, his work is too important.
I haven't had a chance to read this yet, but the author is a well known and highly regarded scholar:
Domestic Troubles in the Jewish State
"While hostilities between Hamas and Israel continue, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government faces renewed protests at home." by Benny Morris on 1 Apr 2025 ·
https://quillette.com/2025/04/01/domestic-troubles-in-the-jewish-state/
I am two-thirds of the way through My Story. I am becoming a fan of this man and I am neither Israeli nor Jewish.
I love Netanyahu. All my sisters and I have always had a crush on him too. I hope the Israelis reward him in their next election.
It is incorrect to claim that this latest new has sparked the protests against Bibi's policy. He has been under protest by a great many parts of the opposition, for many months even before this war began.
It is all a direct political effort to oust him from his role as prime minister. The demonstrations have taken place for a number of claimed reasons, but in fact they are less related to his policies and more related to the fact that with a small majority of total coalition supporting members of the knesset, the opposition would naturally seek to make a big show of demonstration their opposition to almost anything he might decide to do!
My question is that should he really become isolated and a new government formed, how would it be possible for it to agree and be led by somebody who is REALLY able to make sensible decisions, without even more opposition and resentment? It seems to me to be very short-sighted when in fact no serious opposition leadership is possible with agreement and that the opposition does not actually have the better power for making acceptable decisions, with so many varied opposing political parties having their different kinds of say.
You didn’t ask me, but (I am a Jew: what else would I do?) let me answer a question with a question.
Can you name, other than Netanyahu himself, “somebody who is REALLY able to make sensible decisions, without even more opposition and resentment?”
(I am assuming for purposes of the question that a coalition to support this person could be assembled; but that assumption is probably false.)
Bibi is IQ smart but very lacking in EQ smarts. One of the reasons he’s still alive politically is that there is no competition. Not in his party and not in any other political party. It does not bode well for Israel in the long run.
You think he is lacking in EQ smarts? You try to become prime minister of a country.
Never said it was easy. Certainly not in Israel.
Apart from being hard, success in politics requires a high EQ.
I haven't seen the personal reflections in writing about Netanyahu before. This was interesting!
In a previous book a few years ago you wrote that Israelis put their children to bed knowing that they will be safe in the morning with Netanyahu at the helm. Did October 7 changed this??
Hard decisions, but amazing man, Israel’s savior.
This son of a bitch must be a cat 😎