By: Jack McNealy
Is Netanyahu Israel’s Trump, and should Americans back him?
With the recent election, ongoing corruption trials, and increased political polarization, Benjamin Netanyahu is the wrong choice for Israel. Netanyahu attacks democracy in the country with threats of restricting the court’s power (as they actively try him for corruption) and denies the vote to Palestinian people living in Israel controlled territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s equivalent to Donald Trump. Despite his actions, more Americans support Netanyahu than those who do not, aiding the prime minister in his goal to control Palestine. As seen in the relocation of the United States’ Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, the White House under Trump backed Israel’s claim to the sacred city. If America is to be a country that stands for democracy, American citizens must not support President Netanyahu, for Netanyahu opposes these very values.
Netanyahu’s conservative coalition highlights his poor leadership. The first and most egregious part of the coalition are parties led by Itamar Ben-Gvir and Avi Maoz, both who believe in expelling disloyal Arabs from Israel. Additionally, Avi Maoz supports anti-L.G.B.T.Q legislation. Netanyahu’s alliance with these men is similar to how Trump has sided with men like Rand Paul and Lindsey Graham. Both men have supported anti-L.G.B.T.Q legislation in the past. Netanyahu sides with Ben-Gvir’s anti-Palestinian beliefs. Despite the party members’ involvement in arson cases at Jewish-Arab schools, Netanyahu promised Ben-Gvir’s party control of at least one ministerial position. After facing resistance, however, Netanyahu downplayed the possibility of Ben Gvir receiving a top position. Considering that freedom of religion is one of the core American values, Ben-Gvir’s vile views clearly contradict America’s religious tolerance; thus, Americans who support the first amendment cannot support Netanyahu.
Netanyahu and Trump are both divisive characters who have found themselves struggling to pull support from people not devoted to their cause. In the last two years, Israel has had four elections. Each time, Netanyahu has been unable to win the majority vote. His campaign has promised to bring a full right-wing government to power, including men such as Ben-Gvir. Similarly to Trump, Netanyahu has chosen to embrace the far-right rather than working towards a bi-partisan government. Netanyahu’s coalition consistently excludes more centrist and left-leaning parties. If Netanyahu remains in power with his increasingly right-wing coalition, Israel will have to face the same political consequences that America has, such as increased divisiveness.
Both Trump and Netanyahu have faced political challenges this past year. While Trump has not faced an indictment as a private citizen, he has been impeached twice. The first of these impeachments was regarding an abuse of power. In an attempt to pressure Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky into investigating President Biden’s son, Trump threatened to pull the plug on military support which the country desperately needs. According to Politico Magazine, “Trump, by withholding military aid, has committed bribery or extortion.” For his second impeachment, Trump was charged with inciting January 6th’s insurrection. Although acquitted by the Senate for both of these impeachments, “If this is not a high crime and misdemeanor against the United States of America then nothing is,” congressman Jaime Raskin stated, adding “President Trump must be convicted, for the safety and democracy of our people.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu is currently battling corruption charges in court. Also testing the limits of democracy in his own way, the Prime Minister’s residence has been gifted hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and champagne. These gifts came from two men: Arnon Milchan and James Packer. In order to receive these gifts, Netanyahu supported tax relief for expatriate Israelis who return to Israel, which benefits Milchan specifically. With Netanyahu’s tax relief support in the Knesset, this is a clear example of the Israeli president making decisions based on profit rather than the wellbeing of the nation. This example is just one of multiple corruption charges, some of which include Netanyahu’s attempts at bribing newspapers for good publicity. The incidents shown here show that both Trump and Netanyahu use illegal actions to get their way.
Netanyahu has surrounded himself with men who hold reprehensible views. He has increased political polarization and found himself in the middle of a corruption scandal. In short, Netanyahu stands against a core American value: democracy.
Netanyahu and Ben Gvir on the side of a building together.
Trump and Netanyahu photographed together
