Polite diplomacy belongs to yesterday’s world. In the post-October 7th era, the vague diplomatic language—designed to please all sides in Washington’s back rooms—has been replaced by blunt, sharp truth-telling. The sharp, coordinated statements by Ambassador Leiter, precisely reflecting Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policy, aren’t just “criticism.” They’re a wake-up call to the international community and the American administration: Israel will not be held hostage to abandoned agreements woven over its head.
2+President Trump is the greatest friend of the State of Israel and understands Israel’s security needs after October 7th very well. The current Israeli message, now focused on the Lebanese arena, is a simple equation: Israel’s security is an existential right not open to negotiation. Israel is drawing a clear dividing line: we’re not playing “let’s pretend” anymore.
This distinction Israel is making is the most significant move in the regional arena in years. Netanyahu, in his speeches and actions, is making clear to all players in the room: October 7th changed the rules of the game. Israel will not subordinate its military or strategic steps to various understandings designed to ensure temporary industrial quiet for others. Every existential threat to the State of Israel will be handled according to our exclusive judgment, not according to what was signed in Washington, Paris, or Beirut.
2+Where is this headed? It’s headed for an inevitable collision course. Iran, which continues trying to grip the Strait of Hormuz on one hand and its terror arms in Lebanon on the other, needs to understand that Israel’s space is not up for grabs. Leiter’s blunt statements aren’t a “diplomatic incident”—they’re a paradigm shift. They signal to the Americans that the era of total dependence on “the mercies of the superpowers” is over. Israel doesn’t ask permission to exist, and it doesn’t need approval from any international body to thwart existential threats.
From today, Israel determines its own fate. Anyone who thinks they can continue maintaining the Iranian axis of evil while tying Israel’s hands is discovering that the new reality is sharp, painful, and leaves no room for doubt. Trump is Israel’s best friend, and he understands better than any other leader the considerations of the prime minister and of Israel.
2+Our red lines aren’t drawn in sand—they’re drawn in blood. The blood of October 7th. And they’re not for sale, not for any agreement of dollars and not for any empty international promise.
This column was written based on remarks by our political commentator Yaakov Bardugo on “Israel This Morning” with Tal Meir.