Since Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been waging a genocidal war on Gaza, with photos and footage revealing that nothing has been spared, neither humans nor structures. How far is Netanyahu prepared to go in this bloody war, and does he realize the implications of his horrendous acts and where it will leave him personally?
Netanyahu plans to extend the war many more months by which he could postpone his sentencing somewhat. Indeed, Netanyahu is fighting for his own survival, and he will do all he can to hold on to the reins, largely to avoid a reckoning over the October 7th disaster; however, he must, at one point, accept the arduous responsibility of what happened, and the verdict then will not be in his favour.
Even before October 7th, Netanyahu had lost much of his standing with Israelis. He was embroiled in a corruption trial with allegations into bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. In 2019, he was officially charged, which forced him to step down as prime minister. In 2022 he returned to power in coalition with the far-right Religious Zionism Party to form the most religiously conservative government in Israel’s history.
After October 7th, Netanyahu couldn’t get himself to face Israelis; it took him 21 days to muster his courage and do just that. That day Netanyahu didn’t apologize or acknowledge his responsibility. When asked by reporters if he is accountable, his response was he would discuss these concerns after the war is over.
Hamas is estimated to be formed of 30,000 militants; with its reserves, Israel has over 600,000 members in its force. It is generally acknowledged that Israel is one of the best-armed nations in the Middle East. And yet for over three months, this high-powered military force has been unable to defeat Hamas with its homemade rockets and ancient Soviet machinery. Israelis are questioning what they considered the insurmountable Israel Defence Forces, the IDF. Once more Netanyahu and his forces are accountable and inexcusable.
Economically, the war is exorbitantly costly, too. In 2024 alone, the war will cost Israel around 50 billion Israeli Shekel, almost $15 billion; that is assuming that the war will come to an end “in the first quarter of the new year,” says the tech reporter for The Times of Israel, Sharon Wrobel. Imagine how much it would cost if it lasted longer. She continues; “As a result, overall budgetary spending for 2024 is expected to balloon to NIS 562.1 billion from the NIS 513.7 billion that was approved in May. Meanwhile, government revenue, mainly tax income, is likely to fall short of forecasts due to a slowdown in the economy during the war period.”
Israelis have realized that neither Netanyahu nor the IDF is serving them well. The remaining hostages have yet to be freed, while Israeli towns and kubutzes are still being shelled. Three hostages have been mistakenly murdered by the IDF, and many of the victims of October 7th were killed by the Israeli army in the form of undisciplined helicopter fire. Besides the economy is in shambles, and the world is siding with the Palestinians as never before. The result is that hundreds of thousands of Israelis have called for Netanyahu’s resignation.
Let’s move on to the external factors. It is mystifying how much damage and killings Netanyahu is willing to undertake despite the world’s call for a ceasefire, and as the world slowly but surely begins to stand by the Palestinians, Israel’s standing is being shaken. State after state has condemned Israel and called for a ceasefire, but more importantly hundreds of thousands of people across the world have protested Israel’s genocidal strategy in Gaza.
A case presented by South Africa to the UN’s International Court of Justice in the Hague considers Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide. The court case may drag on for years, but it puts more pressure on Israel, as other countries, such as Jordan and Malaysia, back South Africa’s application. According to Just Security, an online forum, “The application has set off a firestorm. The accusation of genocide is particularly gut-wrenching for many Israelis. After all, the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were killed, was the impetus for the very treaty that Israel is now accused of violating.” Israel is arrogant enough not to care much about world views; it never did, but, at one point, its aggression will backfire as fewer people will be willing to stand by Israel.
Netanyahu is willing to wage war with many fronts: Hamas, Hezbollah, Lebanon, the Houthis, and there are others on the sidelines willing to assist such as Iran and Syria. For how long will his forces and his unaccustomed-to-wars-dragging-on Israelis take all this? Egypt and Jordan have opted not to get involved, but if he persists in his negative demands, such as wanting to control the Philadelphia Corridor, Egypt may have to react and add a stronger front to this war. And yet, Netanyahu will keep at it to protect his image and persona.
More importantly is what will come next after the war ends, the “Day After,” as it has been called. The US wants a change in the status quo and is calling for the two-state solution. As Secretary of State returns to the Middle East for the fourth time, the US wants some concessions from Israel to avert the brewing global anger and to suppress wider conflict in the region.
Netanyahu and his cabinet are openly defying such a proposal. Netanyahu disregarded the two-state solution the US is calling for and insists that Israel must continue to control Gaza after the war. Ignoring the US’s steady and sustained support, Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir stepped up his country’s non-compliance with the US’s view by saying, “I really admire the United States of America but with all due respect, we are not another star in the American flag," as he disregarded the US State Department's condemnation of his urging Palestinians in Gaza to be resettled outside the strip.
The Biden administration has stood by Israel and staunchly backed its actions all along, and yet Israel continues to go against what the US calls for. According to Sky News, “Benjamin Netanyahu is openly defying the US – and they want him gone.” And The Atlantic voices the same sentiment, “Netanyahu should quit. The US can help with that.” Suddenly even the Western press is going against Netanyahu. No one can deny the rift as it undermines the alliance between the US and Israel—something no one had ever imagined, and, again, it is Netanyahu’s making.
To delay facing the music will work; however, once the war is over, it will be payback time since the thrust of the blame falls on Netanyahu’s shoulders; this war will be the final straw in his political and public tenure.
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