Israel’s standing in US declining at unprecedented rate, Netanyahu not part of solution: Former US envoy

Israel’s standing in the US is declining at an unprecedented rate, even among Republicans, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to reverse the trend, former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro said Thursday.

There is an “unprecedented” decline in Israel’s standing in the US, Shapiro, who served as ambassador from 2011 to 2017, told Israel’s Reshet Bet radio, according to the broadcaster.

The decline is unprecedented even among Republicans, and it is difficult to see Netanyahu as part of the solution to this situation, he said.

Shapiro suggested that US President Donald Trump could also reconsider which Israeli government he would prefer to work with.

Trump, too, may come to the conclusion that it would be easier to deal with another government in Israel, he said.

Successive US administrations have provided Israel with military, financial, and diplomatic support, including the use of Washington’s veto at the UN Security Council.

Public opinion polls have nevertheless shown growing criticism of Israel in the US during its war on Gaza, particularly among younger Americans.

Shapiro’s remarks come ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 general election. Polls cited by Israeli media show Netanyahu’s coalition short of the 61 seats needed to form a government.

New York visit shortened

Security warnings have prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to shorten his visit to New York to a matter of hours, with no overnight stay, Israel’s Channel 13 reported Wednesday.

Netanyahu is expected to arrive Thursday morning, address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and leave the city later the same day, according to the reported schedule. Another Israeli outlet has reported that he would spend only a few hours in New York.

Channel 13 said security officials recommended against extending the visit after discussions in recent days, some of which Netanyahu attended. The intelligence assessment presented at those meetings included specific warnings, the broadcaster said, without disclosing what they concerned.

Netanyahu's visit comes amid expectations of protests in New York because of Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip and violations in the occupied West Bank.

The visit also comes one day after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and an “architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinians.”

Mamdani previously urged US federal authorities to enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for Netanyahu, while acknowledging that New York City authorities lack the legal power to carry it out.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.