Reading time : 0 minutes
Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas has claimed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not genuinely committed to advancing the so-called Trump peace plan, asserting that his primary concern is political survival rather than achieving a lasting peace.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Pinkas said, “He does not want a peace plan. He’s not on board with a Trump plan. Let there be no misunderstanding.” According to Pinkas, Netanyahu’s participation in the peace talks came only after he was “cornered and pressured by President Trump,” suggesting that the Israeli leader’s engagement was more a result of compulsion than conviction.
Pinkas argued that Netanyahu’s current political strategy revolves around short-term gains that strengthen his hold on power. “He sees the release of Israeli captives as a tactical win that helps him earn goodwill both domestically and internationally,” he said. However, the former diplomat added that Netanyahu might view a renewed conflict as politically advantageous, helping him sustain his governing coalition and divert attention from internal challenges.
“He has a vested interest in this not succeeding,” Pinkas emphasized, implying that Netanyahu’s political calculus is at odds with the goals of a genuine peace initiative.
Pinkas also suggested that Netanyahu is betting on Trump’s eventual frustration with the process. “He’s banking on Mr. Trump losing patience and disengaging before the plan reaches stages that involve difficult decisions—such as an Israeli withdrawal or determining Gaza’s future governance,” he noted.
The remarks highlight deep skepticism within diplomatic circles about Netanyahu’s intentions, raising doubts over whether the much-publicized Trump peace plan can move forward under the current Israeli leadership.