A cockamamie victory: The Grand Vision of the Greater Israel plan is falling apart

Dr Pamelia Riviere

An outrageous turn of the US-Iran MoU and the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire events left Netanyahu scrambling in a state of panic. In a surprising twist, the unlikely alliance of Trump and Netanyahu has left the international community shaking its head in disbelief. Netanyahu's ambitious Greater Israel plan is unravelling, plunging Netanyahu into a frantic situation as ceasefires with Gaza, Iran and Lebanon hang by a thread. The fallout from this cockamamie victory has cast a shadow of disgrace over their leadership, leaving many to wonder what comes next in this tumultuous geopolitical drama. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s audacious Greater Israel plan is collapsing as the ceasefire with Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon frays. 

Netanyahu is in turmoil, grappling with the pressures of his rocky political landscape. Three significant setbacks—Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon—have left him facing an uncertain future. The stakes have never been higher, and the drama is unfolding in real-time as he fights to reclaim his standing in Israeli politics.

A cockamamie victory in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon

In a recent discussion on Judge Napalitano's talk show, Professor John Mearsheimer criticized President Trump's declaration of victory in Iran as a misguided notion. He explained that the belief that a swift, definitive victory can be achieved through air power alone is fundamentally unrealistic. Despite this assessment, some officials at the time, including President Trump, believed that the United States could rapidly neutralize the Iranian threat, leading to a quick resolution regarding concerns over the Strait of Hormuz.

 The term "cockamamie victory" is often used to describe a claim of success that is perceived as absurd or unfounded. It suggests that the declaration lacks substance, particularly when achievements are proclaimed prematurely, as is the case with Trump's assertion regarding Iran and similar claims by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon. 

Netanyahu has called the Israel-Lebanon framework agreement a “historic achievement” for Israel, aimed at ending conflict and paving the way for potential peace. He described the deal as a “major blow” to Iran and Hezbollah, asserting that a security zone in southern Lebanon will remain until Israel feels secure. Netanyahu emphasized that the agreement signals to Iran that it has “no status” in the region. 

On the other hand, the ongoing hostilities between the U.S. and Iran were highlighted by recent incidents where Iran launched a drone attack on a Panama-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that the U.S. military's Central Command (CENTCOM) attributed to Iran's aggressive actions against commercial shipping. CENTCOM responded with strikes, reinforcing the notion that the situation remains unresolved.  

Trump and Netanyahu's declaration of a false victory appears premature, given the ongoing hostilities. The wars have not yet ended. 

The Greater Israel vision is collapsing

 Over the years, Israel has increasingly been characterized as an apartheid state, entangled in ongoing conflict with its neighbouring countries in the Middle East. This struggle has been fueled by the country’s ambition to expand its territory and establish a Greater Israel, a vision that has received considerable backing from powerful allies, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, since the founding of Israel in 1948. 

As this bold aspiration begins to unravel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself grappling with a profound crisis. The shifting landscape has led to a decline in support from America, leaving him in a state of heightened concern and uncertainty about the future of Israel's position in the region.

Recently, Professor Jeffrey Sachs and Professor Glenn Diesen discussed on a podcast why the Greater Israel Project is collapsing. Professor Sachs expressed hope that this project is nearing its end. He noted that the United States has been essentially the backbone of the Greater Israel Project. While Europe has supported Israel to some extent, its backing is considerably less. The U.S. support has been largely influenced by the powerful Zionist lobby, which operates in a dual capacity. One component includes American Jews and their relationships with Israeli Jews promoting this cause. The other component consists of Christian Zionists, like Mike Huckabee, who have been a formidable lobbying force in the U.S. for over 30 years. 

Iran war: A wild twist in the tale.  The grand vision of a Greater Israel is unravelling before Netanyahu’s eyes. 

The anti-Greater Israel sentiment grew faster

The Gaza genocide and the Iran war shifted public opinion in America and worldwide. As people witness the violence and begin to understand the dynamics at play, they question why there is not a state of Palestine alongside Israel. Many have heard Arab leaders express a willingness to establish peace and normal relations if a Palestinian state were recognized, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative. 

As a result, in just three years, American public opinion has shifted from supporting Israel to supporting the Palestinian people, leading to a significantly negative view of Israel. Additionally, there is intense disapproval of the war in Iran, characterized by Americans’ disdain for the conflict due to its futility, high costs, and humanitarian consequences—especially noting tragic incidents like the targeting errors that killed 160 schoolgirls on the first day. This has fueled widespread antipathy toward Israel among the American public. 

Professor Sachs pointed out that with the ongoing genocide in Gaza, public perception is changing. He also mentioned that Donald Trump is aware of this shift in public sentiment as he approaches an election in early November. He highlighted a recent election in New York City, where a significant concentration of American Jews resides. In a recent congressional primary, voters chose candidates opposing the Greater Israel agenda. One race featured two Jewish candidates: the incumbent, who supported traditional pro-Israel policies, and a city councilman who was against Israel’s extremism. The anti-Greater Israel candidate won decisively. 

In other races featuring non-Jewish candidates, those who stood with the Palestinian people also emerged victorious. This trend is evident across the United States. Sachs has reiterated to the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations and others that Israel is losing its support due to its extreme policies. While many Americans would still back Israel, they do not support the idea of a Greater Israel. This distinction is crucial.

The Zionist Israeli leaders aspired to enter a Golden Age

Israel aspired to enter a Golden Age of Greater Israel, but the dream fell apart after Israel lost the wars in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon. 

According to Max Blumenthal, Zionism has entirely failed. After the attempt to eliminate Hasan Nasrallah, Israel believed there would be no leadership left to oppose them. However, Israel has been unable to occupy Southern Lebanon, defeat Hezbollah, or eradicate Hezbollah's presence in Lebanon. A recent Al Jazeera report highlights cautious optimism in Israel following a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon, reached after U.S. negotiations. The agreement outlines a "sequenced process" for the Lebanese army to regain authority over its territory. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the Lebanon Framework, noting that Israel did not achieve separation between the Iranian and Lebanese fronts. 

Netanyahu is in panic: three defeats on his forehead

The Greater Israel Plan, once considered a visionary initiative, now faces significant challenges, creating a complex crisis for Prime Minister Netanyahu as he confronts declining support from the United States. In a recent podcast, Judge Napolitano discussed Israel’s response to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran with Max Blumenthal. Max Blumenthal articulated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in panic as the US preferred to end the war with Iran, although it was a joint war of the US and Israel. 

Netanyahu is apprehensive about the MOU and about Americans' opposition to the war and Israel. Currently, only 48 percent of Americans view the US-Israel relationship positively, whereas only 34 percent of Israelis do. Furthermore, a striking 67 percent of Democrats believe that American support for Israel is excessive, which marks a significant shift from the 18 percent noted previously. 

This indicates a growing anxiety within Israel, particularly in light of ongoing challenges in Lebanon. The manner in which Netanyahu is addressing this situation is critical. His approval rating in the United States has plummeted to 22 percent, while his disapproval rating has reached 48 percent. This situation creates a precarious political environment for his leadership. 

In the absence of military conflict across West Asia, Netanyahu's position may become increasingly precarious. His focus on Lebanon is intricately linked to the MOU, highlighting the complexities of the challenges he faces. 

Although Netanyahu has been criticized for various outcomes, he has also exerted significant influence on American politics, affecting leaders such as President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and even Trump. However, the discourse extends to the broader context of leadership within Israel. 

Merely substituting Netanyahu may not resolve the deeper issues rooted in the Zionist culture. 

Some experts, including John Mearsheimer, contend that potential successors, such as Naftali Bennett of the Likud Party, might present even greater challenges. The current regime is significantly influenced by the ideas of leaders like Ehud Barak, who envisioned Israel as a secure entity amid perceived threats. 

This concept resonates with historical interpretations of Zionism, which sought a prosperous existence for Israel without compromising with neighbouring countries that would put Israel in jeopardy. 

Recent developments, including challenges posed by Hezbollah, the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, and the Lebanon ceasefire framework, have further complicated Netanyahu's position. 

No Palestine State: Netanyahu tweeted, "This is my dream of 40 years" 

Of late, journalists have revealed a deep secret about Netanyahu’s plan for the Iran War: the aim is to ensure there will be no Palestinian state.

Professor Sachs provided insightful commentary on the underlying causes of the Iran War, highlighting that the situation is deeply intertwined with the ongoing struggle for a Palestinian state. He argued that the current conflict is largely a response to longstanding grievances related to Palestine, as even the tragic events unfolding in Gaza genocide—characterized by significant loss of life—did not succeed in eliminating Hamas's presence in the region. 

Instead, the brutal war that has persisted for two years has galvanized global attention, prompting a renewed call for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state. This escalation not only intensified international scrutiny but also began to shift public opinion worldwide toward supporting Palestinian self-determination.

 Furthermore, the war in Gaza has led to significant legal repercussions, including the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Simultaneously, the United States has faced accusations of complicity in the humanitarian crisis, with allegations suggesting that it has been involved in facilitating actions that resulted in widespread suffering and genocide in Gaza. Overall, Sachs emphasized that these events are crucial in understanding the broader geopolitical landscape and the pressing need for a resolution centred on Palestinian rights and statehood.

According to Sachs, the Iran war was instigated by the CIA and Mossad to establish a government that would not support the Palestinian people. The long and short of it is that since 1996, Iran has been the prime target of those advocating for a Greater Israel. 

When the current war began on February 28, 2026, with Israel and the United States launching an unprovoked attack on Iran, it was a completely illegal and misguided action that ultimately failed. At that time, Netanyahu tweeted, "This is my dream of 40 years." I was taken aback by this because I had always thought it had been his dream for 30 years, not knowing what his aspirations had been in the 10 years before he became prime minister, Sachs pointed out. 

Sachs said, "My point is, Netanyahu needs to go home and take his dream with him." Greater Israel is not an American project. It does not serve America's interests, nor is it aligned with morality, theology, or international law. It perpetuates endless conflict. The disgraceful support from the United States for this agenda can be attributed to lobbying, irrational thinking, the influence of big money in campaigns, and millions of Protestant evangelical voters who are fixated on the apocalypse. I find myself living in a country that seems to have lost its way.

 This has been a 30-year-long perpetual war for something that lacks any justification. That is what Greater Israel represents.

Sachs thinks that there are two fundamental reasons why the Greater Israel project may be waning now. One key factor is that the United States and Israel can no longer impose their solution on the region. Israeli leaders believed that Israel's past invasions, such as in Lebanon, had weakened Hezbollah, that Syria could be overthrown, and that Iran's influence could be curtailed. They thought that Hamas had been weakened, if not defeated, by the Gaza conflict and the associated violence. However, this perspective was delusional. 

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel commenced synchronized military operations and executed attacks on Iran. This abrupt, extensive airstrike initiative (designated as Operation Epic Fury by the US and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel) focused on Iranian nuclear sites, military assets, and key leadership figures. It stemmed from a flawed conviction that the US and Israel would emerge victorious in the conflict. Trump was misled by Netanyahu, along with officials from Mossad and the CIA.

They proceeded with the assumption that it would be a quick conflict, but it became clear that Iran is a sophisticated nation with over 90 million people, advanced hypersonic missiles, space technology, and drone capabilities. Iran demonstrated its military deterrent capacity, which led to this fragile agreement. The U.S. had no military option that could avoid the destruction of the Gulf region and the global economy. 

Sachs noted that Trump ultimately acknowledged the situation, saying, “Okay, we need to stop this.” I agree with him on that point, though I may disagree with him on other matters. Because what are you going to do, nothing else? This really is a stalemate, so that's one reason why this Greater Israel Project, I hope, is on its last legs.

The Iran war caused an outrageous twist in the saga. The audacious ambitions of the Greater Israel plan are unravelling as the fragile ceasefire teeters on the brink in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon, leaving Netanyahu in a frantic state. 

The writer is a freelance analyst.