For several weeks, Israelis have voiced concerns about the unpredictable nature of the conflict with Iran. As the U.S. and Iran move between negotiations and hostilities in the Persian Gulf, Israel remains inactive, caught in a state of uncertainty.
Israeli citizens worry about being stranded overseas during the summer or being forced into shelters if hostilities resume. Following its offensive against Iran, which concluded with a temporary cease-fire, Israel’s military, already engaged in operations in Lebanon and Gaza, faces challenges in planning for an unpredictable future. This ongoing tension, with no signs of resolution, is an uncomfortable reality for the nation. Recent polls indicate that Israelis feel increasingly insecure compared to the period before the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive on Iran in February.
Despite these challenges, some Israelis prefer the current situation over other possible outcomes. The differing goals of Israel and the Trump administration pose an additional challenge. President Trump has emphasized his primary goal is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial passage, unaffected by Iranian actions. Even during tense moments, Trump has insisted that U.S. assaults on Iran aim not to escalate the conflict, but to bring Iran back to the negotiating table.
For Israel, a potential U.S.-Iran agreement has become a source of anxiety, due to the specifics and exclusions in the memorandum of understanding reached by the adversaries in June.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel with President Trump in Mar-a-Lago, Fla., last December.
Credit: Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times