Benjamin Netanyahu: The Truth Deserves to Be Spoken

There is a school of thought — one that must be taken seriously — that advises against highlighting the partisan divisions within the U.S. over issues related to Israel. The major parties’ coalitions shift over time, as do views on the Jewish state, and neither party has a monopoly on the presidency. Preserving the alliance between Israel and the United States compels responsible leaders in both countries to guard against the possibility of U.S.–Israel relations’ becoming just another political football.

That is a valuable cautionary note. But speaking the truth plainly and with conviction in times of crisis is also valuable. In his barn-burner address before a joint session of Congress, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sounded a variety of notes that sounded like hyper-partisanship to American ears. Adherents to the notion that Israel must remain a neutral actor in American politics likely shuddered with trepidation over the effect of Netanyahu’s speech on Democratic views toward the Jewish state. But although they may fairly call Bibi imprudent, they cannot call him wrong.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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There is a school of thought — one that must be taken seriously — that advises against highlighting the partisan divisions within the U.S. over issues related to Israel. The major parties’ coalitions shift over time, as do views on the Jewish state, and neither party has a monopoly on the presidency. Preserving the alliance between Israel and the United States compels responsible leaders in both countries to guard against the possibility of U.S.–Israel relations’ becoming just another political football.

That is a valuable cautionary note. But speaking the truth plainly and with conviction in times of crisis is also valuable. In his barn-burner address before a joint session of Congress, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sounded a variety of notes that sounded like hyper-partisanship to American ears. Adherents to the notion that Israel must remain a neutral actor in American politics likely shuddered with trepidation over the effect of Netanyahu’s speech on Democratic views toward the Jewish state. But although they may fairly call Bibi imprudent, they cannot call him wrong.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.