The Israeli response was yet another example of what Austin privately characterized as Netanyahuâs government âplaying with house moneyâ: taking big shots at its adversaries, knowing that the United States, as Israelâs chief ally, would throw its military and diplomatic weight behind it.
Some speculated that Bidenâs new lame-duck status had further emboldened Netanyahu, who thought a possible Trump return to the White House would mean more U.S. support for Israel and less complaining. Just days before the attacks on Shukr and Haniyeh, after giving a table-thumping speech to Congress, Netanyahu had visited the former president and newly crowned Republican presidential nominee at his Florida residence.