"Capitol Hill isn't responding." Not long ago, this phrase resonated painfully for our friends in Cairo. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi once found in Israel a steadfast advocate in Washington, especially amid ongoing criticisms linking Egypt's human rights record to the substantial American foreign aid it receives. During those times, Israel served as a reliable conduit to the heart of U.S. policymaking.
However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Israel's foreign policy now suffers from significant inertia, bordering on paralysis. This stagnation threatens to evolve into a strategic collapse, posing long-term risks to the nation's security.
Amid these shifts, nuclear negotiations with Iran proceed, often sidelining Israel's strategic interests. Direct dialogues with groups like Hamas and the Houthis continue, while regional actors such as Turkey recalibrate their positions. Even Lebanon is profoundly changing. In this evolving geopolitical environment, Israel's diminished diplomatic engagement risks leaving it isolated and vulnerable.
In the face of this tectonic shift, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government remains silent—and persistently so. The attempted judicial overhaul has yielded only limited gains (so far); attacks on the Supreme Court and the Attorney General continue unabated; and the prolonged entrenchment in Gaza, lacking a clear strategic objective, increasingly endangers IDF soldiers amid a worsening humanitarian crisis on the ground.
Internationally, Israel faces renewed legal threats and growing diplomatic isolation. In Washington, the Trump Administration is keeping its distance from the Gaza campaign, most notably with Vice President Vance’s decision to postpone a visit to Israel. Meanwhile, the fate of the hostages remains unresolved. The Prime Minister, once consumed by political battles, is now forced to engage with the plan presented by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff —an implicit, reluctant nod to the idea of ending the war.
The Netanyahu government's current trajectory, driven by a messianic-extremist vision, is exacting a significant toll across various arenas. This approach has led to a series of detrimental outcomes that underscore a deviation from effective governance.
One of the most consequential developments is the U.S decision to engage in direct talks with Hamas—a move that breaks with longstanding policy and undermines Israel's diplomatic achievements. The 2006 Quartet Principles, a cornerstone of Israel's diplomatic efforts, established that Western entities, including the U.S., EU, and Israel, would refrain from direct contact with Hamas unless it renounced violence, recognized Israel, and accepted prior agreements. Hamas has consistently rejected these conditions.
Despite this, the Trump administration initiated direct negotiations with Hamas in early 2025, aiming to secure the release of American hostages. These talks, held in Doha, marked a significant policy shift. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed discontent over being sidelined, viewing the move as a breach of established protocols and a potential threat to Israel's security interests.
The ramifications of these talks are profound. Hamas has publicly acknowledged its ongoing dialogue with the U.S., interpreting it as a form of legitimacy and a diplomatic victory. This development not only challenges Israel's strategic position but also signals a shift in regional dynamics, where long-standing alliances and policies are being reevaluated.
The current direction of Israel's leadership is leading to strategic setbacks, eroding diplomatic gains and altering the geopolitical landscape in ways that may have lasting implications for the nation's security and international standing.
Israel’s current state of deep dysfunction—driven by the total paralysis of its governing institutions—will demand an equally far-reaching course correction. With less than a year and a half until the general elections for the 26th Knesset, political parties must begin presenting a forward-looking regional vision rooted in constructive, positive leadership. This vision must recognize the opportunity presented by the final two years of President Trump’s time in the White House, seek to harness this unique moment in history to secure strategic gains for Israel.
The historic window to shape the future of the Middle East may soon close. Israeli voters will need to consider this reality when casting their ballots: whether to remain trapped in the deadlock of extremism, or to return to the founding ethos of confident, proactive, and visionary Zionism—one that ensures the state's strength and prosperity for generations to come.
