The Jerusalem Post discusses “Congress’s ecstatic reception of the speech,” and praises the prime minister for offering “a peaceful resolution of the conflict via a negotiated deal with Iran.” The editor states that “No country more than Israel has a stake in seeing a peaceful resolution of the conflict with Iran,” but points out that “while Netanyahu made it clear that Israelis overwhelmingly prefer a negotiated deal through diplomacy and still hold out hope for a peaceful solution, the renewal of Jewish sovereignty after nearly two millennia of longing means that Israel no longer has to rely on others to defend it.” 

Haaretz believes that the speech to Congress highlights the “humbug that has characterized all the candidates in this election,” and asserts it failed to address the real existential threat to Israel: “the unending occupation of the territories.” The editor contends that “Israel is mortgaging its national resources to maintain a dual regime of democracy for Jews and apartheid for Palestinians,” and attacks PM Netanyahu for squandering “the great opportunity and the enormous attention he received on Capitol Hill,” without even mentioning the real danger Israel faces. 

Yediot Aharonot reflects on the damage caused by the speech, and notes that “even if the real goal was to parade about in Washington for the sake of two more Likud Knesset seats and an ego boost,” Iran may yet step forward and save the day: “All signs now point to the fact that Iran has toughened its stance in the negotiations. It is demanding an immediate end to all sanctions, rather than the gradual easing that the world powers are proposing.” And to that, the author believes, “even Kerry will not agree.” 

Yisrael Hayom believes that after the speech, moderate Arab leaders in the region now realize that “Israel will stand firm on its convictions and fight its fight, even if it comes at the price of relations with the U.S. president,” and asserts: “Now is the time to translate the shared strategic interest between Arab states and Israel into an alliance, one that will force the Palestinians to return to negotiations based on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's outline.”