By Eitan Levi
The real measure of power for any democracy is not just its military or economy; it is also how strong its alliances are and how much trust people put in its leaders. For Israel, with all the threats and complexities it faces, international credibility is not just about looking good, it is honestly a part of survival. When some of Israel’s most consistent and loyal defenders start sounding the alarm about the leadership in Jerusalem, brushing them off as outsiders or troublemakers is reckless. It is more than just bad manners, it is a real risk to Israel’s security.
Take Bill Ackman’s intervention as an example. Here is a billionaire Jewish American investor, someone who has loudly stood up for Israel time and again, telling Israeli leaders they need to keep National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich out of the cabinet. This is not some partisan hit job. Ackman has defended Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions after October 7, he has pushed back against anti Israel attitudes in US universities, and he has put his reputation on the line for the country. He is not looking for attention, and he is definitely not indifferent.
His point is brutally simple: the wild statements and aggressive politics of these ministers have put a real dent in Israel’s reputation abroad. And not just a little one, enough that allies are taking notice. When you are in government, especially if you are handling national security or finance, you do not get to speak as a private citizen. Foreign leaders and regular folks overseas listen closely, and whatever these ministers say becomes, in many people’s minds, the official stance of the state. So when they cross the line, stirring up trouble, undermining democracy, or fueling regional instability, it is not just their own problem. It lands on Israel’s doorstep.
These stumbles have serious consequences. They make it harder to work with the US, fuel division in Washington, and even stall the push for stronger ties with moderate Arab neighbors. Bringing extremists into important positions sends the wrong message. If they were removed, it would not fix everything overnight, but it would say loud and clear that responsible leadership still matters, and would go a long way to patching up strained relationships abroad.
This is not just coming from figures like Ackman, either. Mike Huckabee, the former US ambassador and a deeply committed friend of Israel, chimed in too. He is no stranger to Israeli politics and, as a Trump appointee, his support has been steady for years. Still, he did not mince words about violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. According to Huckabee, ignoring violence by Jewish extremists while condemning Palestinian terrorism is a double standard, one that hurts Israel’s standing even with its most loyal backers. In his eyes, supporting a country does not mean turning a blind eye; real friends speak up when the state’s values are at risk.
Both Ackman’s and Huckabee’s warnings reveal something important: backing Israel does not mean keeping quiet when the government goes wrong. These critics have spent years defending Israel, so their criticism comes from a place of wanting what is best for the country. They know that internal mistakes do not just stay at home, they spill over and affect Israel’s security and image worldwide.
But there is more at stake than just foreign policy. When officials act recklessly, spread hate, or refuse to take responsibility, it damages real lives. Israel was built on ideals, on being a democracy with high standards, open to scrutiny. Public officials should meet those standards and be held up to them, both for the country’s citizens and for those watching from the outside. Allowing politicians to act without consequences, especially at the top, rips away at the country’s sense of unity and the very values it was founded on.
Inside Israel, politics can get messy. Prime ministers often make deals to keep shaky coalitions together, sometimes inviting radicals into leadership just to survive another day. Those decisions might win a vote, but they pile up costs, costs that the whole nation ends up paying, from diplomatic fallout to lost credibility. Eventually, these political chess moves, meant to shore up power in the short term, leave the country vulnerable in the long run.
Let us be clear, just replacing a few ministers will not magically end deep rooted conflicts or bring about monumental diplomatic change overnight. Strategy, careful diplomacy, and ongoing cooperation are what move the needle. But the people in charge, especially those with the biggest megaphones, set the tone. Leadership is not just about strength abroad, it is about showing discipline and responsibility at home. If you keep ministers in power who embarrass the country, you weaken Israel right when it needs its allies most.
The real test for any government is simple: Can it keep the country safe, govern fairly, and stand tall in the eyes of the world? That requires leaders willing to call out destructive behavior, even if it comes from inside their own camp.
When it comes time to choose a new government or hold politicians accountable, Israelis have to weigh the real costs of how these coalitions work. Security, credibility, and unity cannot be sacrificed for a quick political gain. Ignoring warning signs from people who have always stood with Israel is not just arrogant, it is irresponsible. Trusted allies offer advice out of care, not malice, and their support should make their concerns matter even more, not be an excuse to tune them out.
About the Author
Eitan Levi is a Security and Geopolitical Analyst with expertise in Israeli defence strategy, Iran’s regional operations, Middle Eastern power rivalries, and Israel’s security partnerships.