
Israel’s open-ended wars have eroded its security
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.IN THE RUN-UP to Israel’s independence day, the motorway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv is always festooned with flags. But this year, between the blue-and-white Israeli pennants hangs a another kind of star-spangled banner: that of America. Israel’s government had hoped that Donald Trump, the American president, would arrive on April 22nd to celebrate the 78th anniversary of its independence.
He was to be the first non-Israeli to receive the Israel prize, a state honour.Mr Trump, however, will be a no-show. Instead of a presidential visit, on April 16th Israel received orders from America’s president to stop bombing Lebanon (the ceasefire was also imposed on Hizbullah, an Iran-backed militia which began the war on March 2nd). Mr Trump is now the only person who can end the wars Israel seems incapable of ending itself.
Since the attacks of October 7th 2023 Israel has fought devastating and prolonged campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. It has abandoned a long-standing national-security doctrine favouring short decisive wars. Instead, Israel has blundered, wreaking havoc and inflicting appalling suffering while sapping its own resources and damaging crucial alliances.This is the fifth ceasefire Mr Trump has imposed on Israel in the last 15 months: two were in Gaza in 2025 and two were in Iran.
Israel and America launched the most recent war in Iran together. But it was Mr Trump who paused it, against the wishes of Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. Israel is not a party to the continuing talks between America and Iran on a more comprehensive deal; it will have to abide by whatever is agreed upon in Islamabad.Mr Trump is no peacenik.
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