US President Donald Trump insists that the Middle East is lining up to normalize ties with Israel. On the surface, that sounds like a diplomatic renaissance. The Abraham Accords are expanding, ambassadors are smiling for cameras, and “peace” has become a fashionable talking point once again.
But beneath the optics lies a quiet contradiction that threatens to undo the entire premise.
Across the region, Arab states are echoing the same refrain: We’re ready for peace—but not with Netanyahu.
It’s a statement that sounds pragmatic, but it reveals something deeper. Because Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t some fringe anomaly in Israeli politics. He is the product—and reflection—of Israel’s electorate. If Arab leaders aren’t prepared to deal with him, they aren’t prepared to deal with Israel as it actually exists.
Yes, Netanyahu is polarizing. Inside Israel, his critics are loud, organized, and relentless. His policies have driven protest movements that fill city squares and dominate international coverage. But Israel’s...
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