Designate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends an event promoting his new autobiography "Bibi: My Life Story" in Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem, 14 November 2022. EFE-EPA FILE/ABIR SULTAN

Netanyahu’s ‘viability as leader’ may be ‘in jeopardy’: US intelligence

Washington, Mar 11 (EFE).- Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s viability as leader may be in jeopardy, the United States intelligence community said in its annual report on Monday.

Protesters demonstrate against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to California and his judicial overhaul in Israel during a rally at Union Square in San Francisco, California, USA, 18 September 2023. EFE-EPA FILE/JOHN G. MABANGLO

The Annual Threat Assessment was delivered to Congress by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which coordinates the 18 intelligence agencies of the United States.

Protesters demonstrate against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to California and his judicial overhaul in Israel during a rally at Union Square in San Francisco, California, USA, 18 September 2023. EFE-EPA FILE/JOHN G. MABANGLO

“Netanyahu’s viability as leader as well as his governing coalition of far-right and ultraorthodox parties that pursued hardline policies on Palestinian and security issues may be in jeopardy,” it said.

Likewise, US intelligence believes that within Israel, “distrust” in Netanyahu’s ability to govern has “deepened and broadened” and “we expect large protests demanding his resignation and new elections.”

“A different, more moderate government is a possibility,” added the office.

Netanyahu has faced domestic criticism for failing to prevent the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, when the Palestinian group Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 hostages.

Since then, Israeli offensives on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip have left 31,112 dead, mostly women and children, and 72,760 injured. EFE

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