Interim US-Iran peace deal sparks anger among Israelis, who lash out at Netanyahu

Key Points:

• Israelis across the political spectrum harshly criticized the initial U.S.-Iran deal, blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for what they see as a strategic failure that weakens Israel and strengthens Iran.
• Netanyahu vowed to continue opposing Iran’s nuclear ambitions despite the deal, highlighting that Israel did not concede to Iranian demands for withdrawal from Lebanon, though critics say he misjudged U.S. President Trump’s willingness to end the conflict prematurely.
• The deal complicates Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah, with Defense Minister Israel Katz insisting on maintaining troops there despite U.S. pressure to scale back to preserve the agreement.
• Critics, including former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and opposition leader Yair Lapid, argue Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict has left Israel weaker and Iran stronger, with concerns that the deal allows Iran to regain financial resources and maintain its nuclear and missile capabilities.
• The agreement is expected to involve phased lifting of sanctions and release of frozen Iranian assets, fueling fears among Israeli officials and politicians that Iran’s regional influence and military threat will remain largely intact.