A few weeks ago, many Israelis were feeling rather pleased with themselves.

Iran had taken a pounding. The United States and Israel appeared to be operating in lockstep. President Trump was speaking the language Israelis like to hear: strength, deterrence, consequences and partnership.

The message seemed straightforward.

Iran had overplayed its hand.

The West had finally rediscovered its backbone.

Israel and America were standing shoulder to shoulder.

Now, before anyone writes to explain that diplomacy is complicated, I know diplomacy is complicated. If it were simple, we would have replaced diplomats with WhatsApp groups years ago.

Nevertheless, many Israelis are currently staring at the latest developments and wondering whether they have somehow missed a chapter.

The story appeared to begin with “We are defeating Iran together.”

It seems to have ended with “Let’s negotiate with Iran.”

The transition was so abrupt that a significant portion of the Israeli public is still experiencing diplomatic whiplash.

According to Reuters, the interim agreement between Washington and Tehran includes sanctions relief, access to frozen funds and a framework for further negotiations, while the United States argues that the arrangement prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and opens the........

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