₦airaland Forum

Israelis overwhelmingly believe that Iran emerged stronger from the Middle East war and its subsequent deal with the United States, a poll released on Sunday found.

The poll of 3,644 respondents, conducted between June 17 and 20 by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in collaboration with the Agam Institute, paints a stark picture of public sentiment following the US-Iran deal.

Of those surveyed, 92.1 percent said Iran had won or gained more from the conflict, while 82.9 percent felt that Israel’s long-term security had been weakened.

The survey found that even among voters who support the right-wing bloc, the electoral base of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 93.1 percent believed Iran had won.


Opposition to the US-Iran agreement was widespread, with 63.2 percent of respondents opposing it compared with just 12.1 percent expressing support.

The findings pointed to a broader crisis of confidence in Israel’s leadership.

Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed, 72.5 percent, said they did not believe Netanyahu’s claims about the military campaign’s achievements, while 56.4 percent rated his management of the campaign as “failed” or “poor”

The poll also pointed to the political price paid by Netanyahu, with support for his premiership plummeting from 40.5 percent in early March to 29.4 percent in June.

Despite this, the survey found ongoing support for military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Nearly half of respondents, 48.2 percent, backed renewed major military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, even if it risked confrontation with Washington, while only 21 percent opposed such a move.

Negotiations to turn the temporary Iran-US agreement into a more permanent deal were to take place in Switzerland on Sunday, despite the conflict in Lebanon threatening negotiations.

Washington announced a renewed ceasefire there on Friday after Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, with each side accusing the other of breaking the truce.

AFP

HacheNoire:
If anything happens to Trump, Israel should be held accountable.

The growing rift between the United States and Israel hit new heights this week, with articles published in major Israeli publications accusing President Donald Trump of abandoning Israel to its greatest enemy following his interim deal with Iran.

Analysts described a sense of betrayal as public and political outrage over the terms of the agreement, which details the broad terms for ending the joint US-Israeli war on Iran, dominated headlines.


In one particularly blistering attack, an op-ed titled “You could have been the greatest president of all, but you failed” accused Trump of having signed a “surrender agreement with a murderous and cruel terror regime”.

Published in one of the country’s leading newspapers, Israel Hayom, which is owned by influential Trump mega-donor Miriam Adelson, the piece pulled few punches.

Styled as a letter to Trump, it went further than even some of Israel’s more extreme politicians in voicing criticism of the pact, accusing the US president of having turned the hourglass over to a new war and of having brought about the “humiliation” of his country.

“The broad smile on former President Barack Obama’s face contained so much mockery toward the man who had described his agreement as the worst ever,” it said, referencing the nuclear deal signed in 2015 that Trump walked away from three years later during his first term.

Hagai Ram, a professor at Ben Gurion University and author of the book Iranophobia: The Logic of an Israeli Obsession, said Trump was until recently “the most popular figure in Israel” – but he had now been turned “into a villain”.


The reaction was down to “phobia” and to an “all-encompassing sense of American betrayal of Israel” following a deal that was crowned by mainstream media as “an Iranian trap”, he added.

A broken marriage?


The US’s alliance with Israel is generally regarded as one of the closest in modern world history.


From playing a critical role in the establishment of its state in 1948, the US has backed Israel through multiple conflicts and its frequent disregard for international law in its treatment of the Palestinian people, particularly in its decades-old blockade and attacks upon the Gaza Strip.

However, while there have been spats before, none appear to rival the current dispute over the terms of this week’s US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – even though observers were quick to note that the longstanding strategic alliance remains firmly intact.

Iran, for many Israelis, is their country’s regional nemesis and the war against it is, to all purposes, often portrayed as existential. For decades, Israeli politicians, including current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have claimed that Iran stands poised upon the brink of obtaining a nuclear weapon and, along with its allies including the Lebanese armed group, Hezbollah, remains set upon Israel’s destruction.

However, under the terms of the agreement, negotiated without Israel’s apparent involvement, all fighting, including the offensive launched against Lebanon in early March, was to be concluded immediately. Moreover, both sides were to commit to respecting what the MoU referred to as the “territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon”, of which Israel currently occupies around a fifth.

This has failed to land well in Israel.

A poll by Israel’s Channel 12 TV on Thursday appeared to mark a break with years of wide public support for the US, and Trump in particular.

According to the survey, only 11 percent of Israelis felt their country had “won” the war the US and Israel launched against Iran in late February, with an overwhelming 71 percent saying they no longer trusted the Trump administration to safeguard Israeli interests in the negotiations with Iran established under the terms of the MoU.

Disquiet over US aims has not been limited to the public. While Netanyahu has yet to comment publicly on the terms of the MoU, Israel’s continued attacks on Lebanon and allegations that Hezbollah violated its terms have provided observers with indication enough that he does not regard himself as bound by it.

A television poll published Thursday found that only a sliver of Israelis feel their country won the Iran war, or trust US President Donald Trump to look out for their interests as he negotiates a deal with the Islamic Republic.

In addition, most feel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct hurt Israel’s interests in the US-Iran agreement, according to Channel 12 news.

Donald Trump, has dismissed critics of his agreement with Iran as “fools”, insisting the deal has already produced…

“These fools, who think I haven’t been tough enough on Iran, when the Stock Market Just Hit A RECORD HIGH, and Oil prices are ‘tumbling’ down, are either jealous, bad people, or stupid,” Trump posted on social media hours after signing the deal.

QuinQ:
They deport Nigerians too. Has nothing to do with Xenophobia.
You'd be surprised half of those "South Africans" are Nigerians!😅

Ireland has deported 42 South African nationals. The group included nine men, 18 women and 15 children, all traveling as family units.

They left Dublin on a specially chartered flight and arrived in Johannesburg today. Authorities said two of those deported had been convicted of offences in Ireland.

The operation was the fourth deportation charter flight this year, with 130 people previously removed from the country "on grounds of criminality," according to Ireland's Department of Justice.

The United States is in talks with the Palestinian Authority about boosting what has been a strained bilateral relationship, as Washington seeks Ramallah’s cooperation to advance its landmark policy initiatives in the region, three government officials familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel.

US President Donald Trump’s administration is working to transfer billions of dollars in PA revenues currently withheld by Israel to the underfunded Board of Peace, which Washington established to actualize its 20-point plan for ending the war in Gaza and rebuilding the enclave. That plan envisions the PA taking over Gaza Strip governance after it has carried out comprehensive reforms.

A PA official told The Times of Israel that Saudi Arabia is helping Ramallah with the reform process, which Riyadh views as essential for establishing a pathway to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

madridguy:
Satanyahuu must keep the war going to avoid his trial going on. He needs the war badly to stay political relevant in Israel.

The United States has withheld the text of the Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding from Israel ahead of its formal signing in Geneva, according to media reports and Israeli journalists, further straining relations between the leadership of both countries who have clashed over Iran peace deal and Lebanon fighting.

"The United States denied Israel's request to view the newly agreed-upon Memorandum of Understanding before the signing ceremony, expected to be held in Switzerland later this week," The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday.

Guy Azriel, the diplomatic corespondent of Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS, also confirmed the report.

"I can now confirm that Israel formally requested access to the Iran MoU and was denied. A remarkable and highly unusual development between close allies on an issue of such critical national security importance," Azriel wrote on social media.

The Memorandum of Understanding, electronically signed by US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, ended the US naval blockade and Iran's Strait of Hormuz restrictions in exchange for Iran's pledge against nuclear weapons.

It launches 60 days of talks on Iran's nuclear programme and de-escalation, with sanctions relief.

Oil prices dropped below $78 a barrel as markets expected freer flows, while European leaders praised the step and Iran declared the war over — though Israel raised concerns over access to the text.


Netanyahu-Trump clashes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Trump have repeatedly clashed over Israel's refusal to constrain its pursuit of Hezbollah in Lebanon, where a cessation of hostilities is a key ​Iranian demand.

At the start of the month, Trump described Netanyahu as "f——-g crazy" in an angry phone call, ordering him not to strike Beirut while the US was seeking a deal with Iran.

Axios and other outlets reported that Trump had an expletive-filled phone call with Netanyahu around June 1–2 after Israel escalated bombardment in Lebanon. Multiple US officials familiar with the call described Trump yelling and cursing: "What the f—- are you doing?" and also accusing Netanyahu of ingratitude: "You’re fucking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."

Trump later confirmed in interviews that he was "perturbed" by Israel’s "constantly fighting with Lebanon" and had "let him know" his displeasure, while still saying he likes Netanyahu personally.

Netanyahu ⁠called off attacks that day, but struck Beirut's southern suburbs a week later, provoking Iranian missile strikes on Israel and a public rebuke of both sides from Trump.

Hours before the US and Iran announced their interim deal on Monday, Israel hit the Lebanese capital again while Trump described Hezbollah retaliation as "small and meaningless" not deserving Israeli attacks at the sensitive time.

At a press conference in West Jerusalem late on Monday, Netanyahu acknowledged that he and ​Trump have sometimes had their differences.

"He is the president of the United States, I am the prime minister of Israel. We many times see eye-to-eye and there are times when we see eye-to-eye less so. I am in charge of Israel's security interests," Netanyahu said.

Trump ups criticism

On Tuesday, at the G7 meeting in France, Trump made unusually direct public remarks about Netanyahu, saying, "I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon."

"I’m not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah. They should have been able to do the job faster.”

Trump criticised excessive Israeli force, saying Israel has been fighting Hezbollah "too long and too many people are being killed... You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody because there’s a lot of people in those apartment houses – and they’re not all Hezbollah."

Netanyahu, facing autumn elections he is projected to lose, may be more willing to defy Trump as he contends with an Israeli public that opinion polls show has grown sceptical of the US president's commitment to Israel's security.

The memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran is expected to be signed on Friday in Switzerland. While precise terms were not immediately known, Iran and mediator Pakistan said the pact called for a permanent halt to hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Netanyahu ‌has threatened that Israel's invasion of southern Lebanon will not cease. Analysts say this position could sabotage the agreed deal between US and Iran.

On Monday, during a press conference, Netanyahu explicitly said Israel "does not know the terms" of the US-Iran deal. He added that he "does not yet know what is written in the deal," noting that Israel was excluded from the negotiations, is not a signatory, and is therefore not bound by it.

US President Donald Trump says there would be no Israel without the United States and his leadership.

Trump’s comments, made on Tuesday at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, follow growing tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv over the Iran conflict and efforts to sustain a ceasefire in the region.

“You don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody, because there are a lot of people in those apartment houses, and they’re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you,” the US president said.

“And I suggested to Israel to let Syria take care of Hezbollah because, to be honest with you, I think they’re doing a better job of doing it.

“Without us, without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel, because no other president was willing to do what I did. I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon.”

Elusive001:
BS

You are a muslim and you support Iran because of islam. Nothing more bros. That's the same way you silently support the islamic terrorists ravaging your country.

insidelife22:
What dignity is in criticizing the Us and supporting Iran when the followers of the same faith the Iranians adhere to are busing killing and beheading your fellow countrymen.

insidelife22:
This op seems to think he hates the US, but the same America and Trump lives rent free in his 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️ head.
Islamabadaahakabomb

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Thursday that it targeted a base hosting American F-35, F-15 and F-16 fighter jets in Jordan in response to US strikes on Iran.

In a statement, the IRGC said its Aerospace Force launched 12 ballistic missiles at Al-Azraq Air Base and what it described as key facilities belonging to the US military.

The statement claimed the attack destroyed facilities at the base as well as a large number of American fighter jets stationed there.

The IRGC said the strikes came in response to US missile attacks targeting a recreational site, an industrial complex and areas near Karaj and Nazarabad west of Tehran, along with a local Revolutionary Guard base in Pishva County

It added that operations by its forces would continue as long as “enemy aggression” persists.

Earlier, the IRGC said 18 major US military targets were struck at the Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al Jaber bases in Kuwait, along with the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain, while Iranian military statements also announced attacks targeting Patriot systems, communications facilities and the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The developments came amid rapidly escalating tensions following US strikes on southern Iran and subsequent Iranian attacks targeting US military assets across the region

Redoil:
all the misiles where intercepted midway. so who are we to believe fundamentals or Zionist

INJESUSNAME:
Why can't antmighty Iran face Israel it hates so much and destroy it once and for all? Why attacking countries that have not attacked Iran at all while Israel keeps attacking Iran and all its proxies? Iran supporters have lost their normal ways of reasoning, now rejoicing over what will only increase enemies against Iranian leaders

Iran has fired at least four ballistic missiles and several drones at US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan in retaliation against Donald Trump's renewed attacks on Tehran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard said its Aerospace Force launched long-range missiles at an airbase in Jordan, which hosts US military personnel. The Guard said the attack damaged critical command centres and F-35 fighter jet hangars.


The Kuwaiti army said its air defence systems were “intercepting hostile aerial targets”, while Bahrain, for the second time on Wednesday morning, sounded air raid sirens.

The escalation comes after Donald Trump’s military launched retaliatory strikes against Iran, hitting its air defence infrastructure, after the US president accused the country of shooting down an American helicopter.


Trump had warned earlier that the US “must, of necessity, respond” to the downing of an Apache helicopter that was patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. Two US pilots were rescued, uninjured, from the vital waterway after the $40m gunship went down, US officials said.

US Central Command announced the “self-defence strikes” were “a proportional response to unjustified Iranian aggression”.

A U.S. Army Apache helicopter gunship went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, and the two crew members were safely rescued, according to two people briefed on the incident.

It was not immediately clear whether the Apache was shot down by Iranian fire, experienced mechanical failure or encountered some other problem, said one of the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity and said the incident was under investigation.

The incident occurred after days in which hostilities in the region escalated and then ebbed, as Israel and Iran exchanged military strikes before stepping back, the latest example of the tenuous nature of the cease-fire.

President Trump told reporters early Tuesday that the crew members were fine. He did not provide further details, saying that a report on the incident would be issued soon.

The military’s Central Command did not respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. military has used Apaches, as well as armed MQ-9 Reaper drones and F/A-18 and F-35 attack planes, as part of an aggressive effort by Central Command to challenge Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most commercial traffic.

Iran has shot down about 30 unmanned Reaper drones, and a handful of U.S. fighter jets have been lost to hostile and friendly fire since the war started on Feb. 28. But this would be the first Apache lost in the conflict.

Last month, Central Command posted imagery on social media of Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the command, flying over waters in or near the strait on the eve of an effort by the U.S. Navy to help guide commercial ships through the strait, a short-lived operation called Project Freedom.

The AH-64 Apache gunship, which is armed with Hellfire missiles, is one of the most fearsome types of aircraft operating in the region. They patrol the strategic waterway in part to deter small-boat attacks and to shoot down drones.

But the helicopters have been pushing closer to Iranian territory — including islands the Iranians control in the strait and the Persian Gulf — as part of the aggressive posture Central Command has maintained even as the United States and Iran have engaged in fitful negotiations to reopen the strait.

In response to Iran’s blockade, the United States imposed a blockade of its own on April 13, barring commercial vessels from entering or leaving an Iranian port. Since then, U.S. military ships have turned away 134 vessels.

The Navy has disabled seven other vessels that ignored American warnings to turn back, including a Palau-flagged oil tanker as it steamed through international waters in the Gulf of Oman toward Iran on Monday, Central Command said in a statement.

In April, two crew members of an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet shot down by Iran were rescued after ejecting from their stricken aircraft and landing deep in hostile territory.