Why White House envoys cannot sway Israel’s war leader

What the report says

Al Jazeera’s commentary says a recent visit to Israel by US Middle East envoy Jared Kushner did not appear to move Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toward accepting President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. According to the article, Netanyahu met Kushner in Israel on Monday but has kept to a hard line that Hamas must disarm before Israel takes further steps, even after Hamas reportedly accepted the plan. The piece argues that White House efforts to restart talks are unlikely to succeed because Netanyahu has political incentives to prolong conflict rather than close deals.

The article links that argument to Israel’s broader wars and negotiations, including Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and Syria. It says Netanyahu benefits politically from projecting himself as the country’s main security leader ahead of elections expected in October, and that any settlement could weaken that image. The commentary also suggests that ongoing conflict can help him manage his criminal trial by creating reasons for delays and interruptions.

Beyond the politics, the article notes that many Israeli voters remain supportive of tough military positions, citing polling on Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. It also says the economy has shown some signs of strength, including record highs on the stock exchange, while warning from the OECD that renewed intense fighting would likely carry major fiscal costs. The piece presents all of this as background for why outside pressure, including from the Trump administration, may have limited effect.