Trump May Seek to Remove ‘High-Maintenance’ Netanyahu from Power, Israeli Economist Says
Occupied Palestine (Quds News Network)- With Donald Trump returning to the White House, new analysis suggests that the newly elected president could move quickly to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of power. According to Eran Yashiv, a prominent economist and professor at Tel Aviv University, Trump may view Netanyahu as “high-maintenance” and a hindrance to his broader Middle East ambitions.
In a recent opinion piece published in Haaretz, Yashiv argues that Trump’s motivations are primarily driven by economic and strategic considerations. As the United States has funneled nearly $18 billion in military aid to Israel over the past year, Trump has repeatedly signaled a desire to curb American financial commitments to foreign conflicts, including in the Middle East. Yashiv contends that Netanyahu’s demands on the US could clash with Trump’s stated priority of reducing taxpayer burdens.
Trump’s Saudi Deal Incentive
A key factor driving Trump’s potential move against Netanyahu is his ambition to secure a deal with Saudi Arabia. According to Yashiv, Trump sees the prospect of a Saudi-Israeli agreement as both a diplomatic victory and a financial windfall akin to the Abraham Accords, which he brokered during his first term. However, the Saudis are likely to insist on at least a nominal commitment toward the creation of a Palestinian state as part of any agreement.
“Netanyahu and his right-wing allies have long resisted the idea of a Palestinian state,” Yashiv writes. “But Trump, driven by self-interest, may prioritize his own deals over Netanyahu’s political survival.” The economist suggests that Trump’s relationship with Netanyahu has always been transactional and that he feels no loyalty to the Israeli leader. In fact, Trump reportedly resents Netanyahu’s perceived closeness to Joe Biden.
How Trump Could ‘Remove’ Netanyahu
Yashiv outlines two potential strategies Trump could employ to oust Netanyahu if he returns to power. The first involves sending clear signals to Israeli political factions, particularly the ultra-Orthodox parties, indicating that Netanyahu’s era is over. Given Trump’s influence and the financial leverage the US holds over Israel, these parties might quickly realign.
The second strategy, according to Yashiv, would involve economic pressure combined with a carrot-and-stick approach targeting Netanyahu, his Likud party, and other political figures. Trump’s willingness to use his influence in such a manner could lead to a swift political realignment in Israel.
