Israeli opposition leader Yair Golan, in a scathing attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday accused the premier of losing control over Israel’s security interests, as negotiations between the US and Iran continue with little Israeli influence.
Speaking ahead of a faction meeting at the Knesset, the leader of the Israel Democrats party said it was a national humiliation that decisions central to Israel’s future were being shaped without Jerusalem at the table.
“The fact that the arrangements most critical to Israel’s security are being finalized without us, and that Israel will likely learn the details of the agreement only after the fact, is an unimaginable disgrace,” Golan told reporters, according to Times Of Israel.
Calling it “the clearest evidence of the loss of control over our security under Netanyahu’s rule”, Golan argued that Jerusalem was reduced to being little more than a spectator at this point, rather than having any active role in shaping events.
“Netanyahu is not functioning,” he said. “His health does not allow him to withstand the pressure. His legal situation does not allow him to govern the country, and his political condition has turned Israel into a regional and global weakling.”
Golan claimed that US President Donald Trump, regional leaders and the wider international community no longer viewed Netanyahu as a decisive actor in negotiations concerning Iran, and the wider crisis in West Asia.
“Everyone understands that Trump, the international community and regional leaders do not take Netanyahu into account,” he said. “Talks on Iran are taking place over his head.”
Golan’s remarks came as anxiety has been mounting inside the wider political circles in Israel, as Washington and Tehran have somewhat edged closer to a possible interim understanding to prevent a full-fledged return to war.
Netanyahu has publicly backed Trump’s diplomatic push, though has repeatedly maintained that Israel retains the right to act militarily against threats from Iran and Hezbollah, though political opponents and critics have noted that Jerusalem’s influence in the peace process has drastically reduced.
Golan’s comments also come as Netanyahu continues testifying in his long-running corruption trial, where he faces charges including fraud and breach of trust, though the Israeli premier has denied any wrongdoing.
Last month Netanyahu also disclosed that he had undergone treatment for prostate cancer during the recent conflict with Iran, saying he delayed informing the public because Tehran could have exploited the information for propaganda purposes during wartime.
