Haaretz Podcast ‘We’re the ones calling the shots here’: Vance, Kushner and Witkoff rattle Israel’s leadership
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Oct 24, 2025 Joshua Leifer, a Haaretz columnist and commentator on Israeli and U.S. politics, sheds light on the recent influx of Trump administration officials to Israel post-ceasefire. He argues this signals deep U.S. distrust in Netanyahu's plans. Leifer discusses the Trump administration's intense supervision, likening it to a U.S. mandate over Israeli decisions. He explores the complexities of American Jewish responses to Trump's role in the ceasefire and raises concerns over potential reconstruction plans for Gaza, warning of a shift towards permanent control.
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Internationalized Management Of Gaza
- Trump’s team is constructing an internationalized management model for Gaza that resembles a U.S.-led mandate.
- That model places Israeli actions under oversight and reduces unilateral Israeli control in practice.
U.S. Pressure Feels Retroactive Yet Deeper
- Recent U.S. pressure on Israel recalls earlier decades rather than the quieter post-1990s approach.
- The novelty is deep U.S. operational involvement and public displeasure toward Israeli policy.
Support Comes With Expectations Of Payback
- Trump expects tangible returns for U.S. support, linking military aid and diplomatic backing to Israeli compliance.
- His approach mirrors transactional demands he’s made of other allies.