Former Israeli PM Bennett Says Israel's US Standing Hits New Low as 'Leper State'

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has warned that Israel's standing in the United States is at its lowest point ever, describing the country as a "leper state" in the eyes of Americans. He attributes this decline mainly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, accusing it of mismanaging public diplomacy and causing "terrible damage" to Israel's image internationally. Bennett noted that support from both the Democratic and Republican parties is waning, with even parts of the Trump administration and right-wing groups like the MAGA movement distancing themselves from Israel. He highlighted a growing perception among the American public that Israel is a burden on the U.S., fueled by the ongoing starvation crisis in Gaza and rising antisemitism blaming Jews for America's problems. Bennett also criticized certain Israeli government ministers for harmful rhetoric and pointed to corruption allegations involving Netanyahu's aides working for a pro-Qatar lobbying firm, linking Qatar to Hamas funding. He stressed that Israel's current government fails to grasp the severity of the reputational crisis and its impact on diplomatic relations.