Marwan Bishara: Is Netanyahu playing US special Middle East envoy, Witkoff?

Al Jazeera Senior Political Analyst Marwan Bishara says the Israeli prime minister has been “weaponising” diplomatic efforts on Gaza in a bid to “discredit” US special envoy Steve Witkoff. “My sense is we’re no longer in the good-cop-bad-cop logic but rather that Netanyahu is playing Witkoff – embarrassing Witkoff – and perhaps Netanyahu is trying to weaken Witkoff because he is way ahead on the Iran nuclear deal,” Bishara said. “Netanyahu is weaponising diplomacy in Palestine not only to continue the bombings in Gaza but also to discredit Witkoff’s negotiations with the Iranians.” Bishara said Israel is also banking on US President Donald Trump’s remarks on turning Gaza into the Riviera of the Middle East. “Trump just said something in a press conference, and I don’t think he meant it. Netanyahu has been playing the game, saying, ‘We have to fulfil Trump’s vision.’ Because Trump is not paying attention, Netanyahu is running away with the shop.” Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Israel #Palestine #UnitedStates #Gaza #IsraelGazaWar #SteveWitkoff #GazaWar #Hamas #GazaCeasefire #IsraeliCaptives #IsraeliHostages #GazaCeasefireDeal #AlJazeeraEnglish