The hawkish essay by Yesh Atid Chair Yair Lapid published Oct. 11 in the respected American monthly The Atlantic, in response to an Oct. 9 article in the same publication by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, was translated into Hebrew and the two versions posted on Lapid's Facebook page and Twitter. Lapid has good connections at the magazine, and this was not his first appearance in it as an author or an interview subject. This time, Lapid wrote, the magazine’s editors approached him to respond to Zarif’s essay. Beyond the personal prestige afforded the party chairman in the international arena by this type of publication, Lapid understands its importance in terms of the Israeli public, which he is trying to convince of his ability to handle the responsibilities of diplomacy and security as prime minister.

Lapid claims in his article that Zarif’s article is “full of lies, distortions, and half-truths” meant “to turn Iran into a regional nuclear power. The method is to make the West believe it isn’t happening.” Lapid further wrote, “Sadly, the deal signed with Iran in the summer of 2015 only strengthened that conviction. Since the deal was signed, they have significantly expanded their ballistic missile program, started building a permanent military presence in Syria … and are constantly testing the boundaries with [International Atomic Energy Agency] inspectors to continue to develop their nuclear program. They’re doing all that in a far more comfortable environment than before.”

Lapid emphasizes later in the article that he does not agree with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on nearly anything, “but his description of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani as a ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ is right on the money.” Lapid’s stance and arguments are legitimate, of course, but it is hard to ignore that they are incredibly similar to the current prime minister’s rhetoric.

On Oct. 13, two days after Lapid's article appeared, US President Donald Trump delivered his belligerent speech against Iran, which was received by Israeli political leaders, including Lapid, to much acclaim. Trump's pronouncements, which seemed to be taken from Netanyahu’s playbook, sounded to the Israeli ear, with good reason, like a warm and friendly embrace. Even though Trump did not detail what measures would be taken against Iran, and did not announce the cancellation of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers, his declarations had an intoxicating effect on Israelis.