JERUSALEM. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is facing a critical juncture as he must choose between accepting a truce proposal or risking the stability of his hard-line government. This decision comes after President Joe Biden announced a truce plan aimed at ending the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has drawn mixed reactions within Israel’s political landscape.
For months, Netanyahu has avoided setting a timeline for ending the conflict, a move critics argue is politically motivated. Biden’s proposal has forced Netanyahu into a public decision-making process that could determine his political future.
Biden outlined the truce terms, which include the release of hostages held in Gaza and a cease-fire leading to a permanent cessation of hostilities. These terms, confirmed by Israeli officials, have not yet been publicly endorsed by Netanyahu. The Israeli war Cabinet approved the proposal but has yet to present it to the public.
The proposal puts Netanyahu in a tough position. On one side, far-right coalition partners like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threaten to withdraw support if he agrees to the truce before Hamas is destroyed. On the other, centrist leaders Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot have threatened to withdraw their party’s support by June 8 if Netanyahu does not present a clear plan.
Biden’s announcement has left Netanyahu with limited options. “Biden booted Netanyahu out of the closet of ambiguity and presented Netanyahu’s proposal himself,” wrote Ben Caspit, a biographer and critic of the prime minister, in Maariv. “Does Bibi support Netanyahu’s proposal? Yes or no.”
The truce involves three stages: releasing groups of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a temporary cease-fire turning into a permanent one, and launching an internationally-backed effort to rebuild Gaza. More than 100 hostages were released in November, but an estimated 125 remain in captivity.
Netanyahu’s office issued two statements following Biden’s speech, neither fully endorsing nor rejecting the proposal. The first statement authorized the negotiating team to present a proposal aimed at releasing hostages and continuing the war to achieve its objectives, including destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities. The second reiterated these conditions and rejected any permanent cease-fire until these goals are met.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Israel would not accept Hamas’ rule in Gaza and would work to establish an alternative government.
Critics accuse Netanyahu of prolonging the war to avoid an election and a reckoning for the intelligence failures leading to Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel. Netanyahu’s political fate hangs in the balance as he faces pressure from both his coalition and the international community.
While some of Netanyahu’s supporters wear “Total Victory” caps, his latest statements align more with the military’s and Biden’s articulated goals. Netanyahu’s relationship with Biden has been strained, but recent developments indicate a potential shift.
Biden presented the truce as a pathway to integrating Israel more deeply into the Middle East, including a potential normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia. He acknowledged the resistance within Netanyahu’s coalition but urged Israeli leaders to support the deal.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered his support for any agreement that would bring the hostages home, reflecting a national consensus despite his mostly ceremonial role.
John Kirby, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, clarified that the truce proposal originated from Israel. “We have every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal…then Israel would say yes,” Kirby said on ABC News.
Despite this, skepticism remains. Reuven Hazan, a political science professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, expressed doubts about Netanyahu’s willingness to abandon his hard-right partners. “Whenever he’s had the choice…he’s always gone with his extremist fanatics,” Hazan said.
Hamas responded positively to Biden’s speech, expressing readiness to deal constructively with the proposal. However, Hazan cautioned against expecting immediate changes. “A speech by President Biden doesn’t mean we have a new Netanyahu.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
