Documented analysis and opinion · Israel · September 25, 2026
Israel faces real security threats. At the same time, Netanyahu's government faces prolonged war, growing diplomatic isolation and declining international confidence. The question is how much of that cost is unavoidable and how much reflects choices made by the government itself.
The image that opened the question
On September 24, dozens of delegates left the UN General Assembly as Netanyahu began speaking. The episode does not establish why every delegate left, but it is a visible sign of the diplomatic pressure and criticism surrounding his government.
Reuters: the UN walkout ↗First distinction
Israel is a plural society with opposition parties, protests, media and elections. Responsibility for government decisions should remain with the officials and institutions that make them, not with Israelis or Jews collectively.
Security
No conclusion follows automatically. Hamas, Iran and Iran-backed armed groups pose documented threats to Israel. Government strategies still have to be examined by their consequences for security, civilian life, alliances and international legitimacy.
International standing
Pew's 2026 survey found unfavorable views of Israel across many of the 36 countries studied and low confidence in Netanyahu. In Argentina, 55% expressed an unfavorable view of Israel and 63% had little or no confidence in Netanyahu. Those figures document a trend; they do not by themselves prove what caused it.
Pew Research Center: comparative data ↗Iran
The IAEA has reported serious access, transparency and monitoring problems. That establishes a genuine security concern, but it does not by itself determine that every military escalation is necessary, proportionate or effective.
Reuters: IAEA report on Iran ↗United States
They are close allies, but allies can have different priorities. U.S. military assistance to Israel and direct American participation in the Iran war make scrutiny of costs, objectives and decision-making a legitimate issue for Americans as well as Israelis.
Trump
On September 22, Trump said at the UN that he could “annihilate” Iran if there were no agreement. That does not establish that nuclear use was decided. It does show why U.S. presidential rhetoric and decision-making must be examined independently of Netanyahu.
Reuters: Trump's UN speech ↗
Power and democracy
Israel is not Netanyahu; the United States is not Trump; Argentina is not Milei. Democratic office is temporary. Institutions and citizens remain larger than the person holding power.
Final question
The evidence does not reduce that question to a single cause. It does make the question legitimate — particularly for people who want Israel to remain secure, democratic and internationally sustainable.
Sources and context
La Trama Pública separates Israel from its government and Jewish identity from the decisions of Israeli officials. Facts, testimony and editorial interpretation are presented separately.