According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of “Chutzpah” is:

“Supreme self-confidence; nerve; gall.”

And there are few people I can think of who fit that description as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu.

It is certainly no secret that, despite Donald Trump’s assertions that his war against Iran is all about denuclearization and regime change, it also manages to tie in nicely with his friend Bibi’s long-standing goal of taking down Iran.

Not content with proportional retaliatory measures against Hamas in Gaza following the horrific attack against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, Netanyahu has embarked on a war of attrition against the whole of Gaza that has resulted in his being charged by the International Criminal Court (ICC) with war crimes amounting to genocide. And that war has expanded to include Iran, and to have a major deleterious effect on other Middle Eastern countries that had nothing to do with the original Hamas attack.

In all fairness, Israel’s entire history, since its establishment as an independent nation in 1948, has been one of persecution and having to fight for every inch of its 8,500 square miles of territory, while surrounded by enemies who want only to see it wiped off the face of the Earth. Some eight decades ago, the people of the new state of Israel took a desert wilderness and began building a thriving democracy against unimaginable odds. And for that, they earned worldwide respect and admiration.

Until Netanyahu.

I needn’t go into the recent history here; it’s already well documented in the daily news — including Trump’s refusal to condemn Netanyahu’s worst offenses, and his continued support despite worldwide condemnation.

There are many who have suggested that — much like his relationship with Vladimir Putin — Trump has been suckered by Netanyahu into doing, not what is best for America or even what is best for Israel, but what is best for his friend Bibi. And that suspicion was totally validated by a shocking statement made by Netanyahu himself on Tuesday, when he boasted on live television:

“I’ve been against Iran for almost 40 years . . . it took a long time to bring the United States to its senses. . . . [I’ve had] close to 1,000 hours of American television with the ability to influence the United States — with the intimate knowledge of all its leaders, both those who support us and those who don’t support us — the ability to navigate this field, through it.” [Alexander Willis, Raw Story, September 1, 2026.]

Yes, those were his words.

There was no need for us to attack Iran. They had no nuclear weapons, the Strait of Hormuz was open and operating nicely, and they had made no threats against us. But Bibi wanted a war, and his friend Donald was weak and malleable. The result, as we all know, has been a military, diplomatic, and economic debacle that will take years, if not decades, to undo.

To have done all of that was bad enough. But to appear on live TV and openly brag about it . . . well, that is so far beyond chutzpah, I don’t think there is a word in the English language strong enough to describe Benjamin Netanyahu.

Well, actually there are several . . . but I can’t bring myself to repeat them in polite company.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
9/3/26