Commentator Amit Segal: What caused the US president to turn around and make such a bad deal?

Shtetl
June 17, 2026   
Photo: 
Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

The US surrender agreement: Many in Israel are wondering what caused the turnaround in President Donald Trump's entire approach to Israel and Lebanon.

Amit Segal, the senior political commentator for News 12, tries to explain what happened.

""The agreement, in light of the Wall Street Journal report, looks catastrophic. If the report is true, and it's about lifting sanctions on oil exports, the copies of 'Art of the Deal' (Trump's book) should be sent to the shredder. This is simply a complete collapse along the entire front.".

Segal explained what the president is going through: "I think it also explains the reversal mentally. This is not a reversal on Israel, this is a reversal on anyone who dares to speak against the agreement. For example, Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator who stood behind Trump in everything and is meticulous about politeness, even now he says: 'Lindsey will be in big trouble if he continues to oppose the agreement.' Israel is ultimately the collateral damage, that's the heart of the matter.".

Segal also maintained optimism: "The good news is - just as Trump scolded Egypt, the leaders of Egypt and Jordan in the White House, if they don't accept refugees from Gaza, and after three weeks he forgot about the matter. So what do you say? 'Never be immune,' and it's not even certain that by tomorrow morning.".