US-Iran deal means Israel will be ‘in this s*** a lot longer,’ Jerusalemites say

Lead

As the echoes of Israeli artillery fire reverberated near the Lebanese border, residents of Trump Heights, a small settlement named in honor of US President Donald Trump, struggled to hide their dismay over the US-Iran agreement that aims to end the Middle East war. The deal, announced earlier this week, also stipulates a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but many Israelis view it as undermining their country's security.

Coverage

Trump Heights Residents' Reactions

The community of Trump Heights, a cluster of prefabricated homes just 15 kilometers from the Lebanon border, has not welcomed the deal. Shlomo Schlechter, a 32-year-old law student, told AFP that residents give Trump the benefit of the doubt, trusting that he is making decisions for America and its allies, including Israel. However, he acknowledged that American and Israeli interests do not always align and expressed skepticism about the deal's durability.

Similar sentiments echoed in Rehovot, where Avi Perez, 55, said, "We were betrayed by President Trump." Shaham Nowick, 35, added that despite the ceasefire, "nothing has been resolved," reflecting a broader belief that Israel would have to confront threats alone.

Strategic Concerns

Analysts and residents alike have voiced concern over the deal's implications. A Jerusalem Post columnist argued that while the world may be pleased with the agreement, Israel's reaction was notably different, with politicians across the spectrum expressing alarm. The deal, they contend, underscores that no outside power will care as much about confronting Iran as Israel does, yet Israel should not rely solely on itself. Instead, it should adopt a strategy of multiplying its power through partners and proxies, much like Iran has done.

Some Israeli commentators have condemned the deal as a surrender and a humiliation, with fears that it will restrict Israel's ability to combat Hezbollah, a major threat to its northern border.

Iranian Dissidents' Perspective

An Iranian source opposed to the regime told The Jerusalem Post that dissidents inside Iran are "shocked" by the emerging agreement, which they see as a victory for Tehran. The source claimed that reformists within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have purged hardliners, but that regime supporters describe the deal as the "victory of the axis of resistance against the US."

Key Claims

• The US and Iran have reached an agreement to end the latest round of fighting, with a ceasefire also intended between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Residents of Trump Heights are disappointed with the deal, reflecting a wider Israeli sentiment.
• Many Israelis believe the Iranian regime is untrustworthy and will continue to pose an existential threat.
• Analysts suggest the deal could restrict Israel's ability to combat Hezbollah.
• Iran's strategy in the conflict was to survive and continue low-level attacks, while the US and Israel lacked a clear strategic goal.
• Iranian dissidents are concerned that the regime perceives the deal as a win, potentially emboldening it.