In his recent column, veteran American writer Thomas Friedman contends that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is effectively deceiving both President Trump and American Jews by concentrating on the perceived threat posed by Iran. According to Friedman, this focus is a tactical maneuver to draw attention away from the troubling realities in the West Bank and Gaza, where significant actions are being taken that could harm U.S. interests and the safety of Jews globally. He emphasizes that the Israeli right-wing government under Netanyahu is creating a false narrative that reduces complex geopolitical issues to simplified threats to national security.

Friedman urges for a cessation of what he refers to as deceitful tactics, arguing that Netanyahu's administration is blatantly disregarding the implications of their actions for American policies and the Jewish diaspora. He points out that this governmental strategy amounts to a serious neglect towards crucial humanitarian issues in occupied territories, alleging that there are efforts to ethnically cleanse certain areas through violence from settlers targeting Palestinian communities. Friedman’s call to action is not just directed at political leaders but also at public opinion to hold the administration accountable for its policies.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Friedman draws on statements from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who described the ongoing violence and coercion as an "extremely violent and criminal effort" focused on ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. This scenario raises profound questions regarding the moral and ethical standpoint of both Israeli and American policies, and it suggests that the focus on foreign threats must not eclipse the urgent need to address the fundamental rights and security of all communities involved. Friedman’s commentary thus serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between domestic politics in Israel, U.S. foreign policy, and the overarching humanitarian concerns in the region.