Fierce Israeli opposition leaders attacks on Netanyahu after Trump’s decision to declare a ceasefire with Iran 

Israeli opposition leaders launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, after he approved US President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt hostilities with Iran.

Early Wednesday, Trump announced a two-week halt to strikes on Iran, provided that the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil usually passes, is fully and immediately opened, and that the ceasefire is bilateral.

He added that this step allows for the completion of a final agreement on long-term peace with Iran, and peace in the Middle East, as almost all previous points of contention between the United States and Iran have been agreed upon.

In contrast, Iran considered that it had achieved a great victory in the war, and had forced Washington to accept its plan to end it, and announced that for two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible, in coordination with the Iranian armed forces, taking into account the existing technical restrictions.

Later, Netanyahu announced his support for Trump’s decision, saying that Israel supports the United States’ efforts to ensure that Iran does not pose a nuclear, missile, or terrorist threat to America, Israel, Iran’s Arab neighbors, and the world, according to his words.

The head of the Israeli opposition Democratic party, Yair Golan, wrote in X: “Netanyahu lied… He promised a historic victory and security for generations, and in reality, we suffered the worst strategic failure that Israel has ever known”.

The former deputy chief of staff added: “None of the objectives were achieved: the nuclear program wasn’t destroyed… The ballistic threat remains… The regime remains in place, and even emerges from the war stronger, as Iran possesses enriched uranium, controls the Strait of Hormuz, and dictates the terms”.

Tehran was subjected to aggression despite making progress in negotiations with Washington regarding the nuclear program, as attested to by the Omani mediator.

This is the second time that Israel has turned its back on the negotiating table, and the first time it started the June 2025 war.

Golan continued: “Israel is once again, as in the Gaza Strip, absent from the scene; it doesn’t decide and it doesn’t influence,” referring to its non-participation in the negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Golan argued that Israel is losing because of a failed, extremist and dangerous government that isn’t good at translating military achievements into political security.

He said, “This isn’t a historic victory, but a resounding failure that threatens Israel’s security for years to come”.

Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing opposition party Israel Beiteinu Party (Israel Our Home), stated via X that the ceasefire with Iran gave the Iranian regime a period of rest and an opportunity to reorganize its ranks”.

Lieberman added that any agreement with Iran, without giving up the destruction of Israel, uranium enrichment, ballistic missile production and support for terrorist organizations in the region, means that we will have to return to another campaign (war) in more difficult circumstances and pay a heavy price.

From his part, Opposition leader Yair Lapid also attacked Netanyahu on Wednesday following the temporary ceasefire in Iran.

Lapid wrote on X: “Our history has never witnessed such a political disaster… Israel wasn’t even present when decisions were made regarding the core of our national security”.

Lapid added that the army carried out everything that was asked of it, and the people showed unparalleled resilience, but Netanyahu failed politically and strategically, and was unable to achieve any of the goals he set for himself.

Lapid continued, “It will take years to repair the political and strategic damage caused by Netanyahu’s arrogance, negligence, and lack of strategic planning”.

In response to the criticism, an Israeli political source stated in a circular to local media that the United States coordinated the temporary ceasefire with Israel in advance.

The source added, that this step consists of Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz without accepting any of its demands beforehand, including a final end to the war, receiving compensation, and lifting the severe sanctions imposed on it.

Senior officials in the Trump administration have made it clear to Israel that the United States will insist, during negotiations over the next two weeks, on the removal of nuclear materials, the cessation of enrichment, and the elimination of the ballistic missile threat.

These are common goals between Israel and the United States.