Turmoil in Israel's Leadership: The Clash Over Gaza's Future
Generals and ministers openly challenge Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of the war, raising the possibility of a government collapse.
The Story:
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has reached a critical juncture, with growing tensions within the Israeli government and military leadership over the lack of a coherent strategy for the war and its aftermath.
For months, generals and ministers in Israel have been privately warning that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's government lacks a clear plan for the day after the conflict, and their bitter arguments are now breaking into the open.
The pivot against Netanyahu began with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), whose generals have accused the prime minister of "blocking any day-after plans for Gaza" and "squandering" Israel's gains in the war. They argue that it is the prime minister's responsibility to set the strategic direction, but with no clear strategy in place, the army has been forced to take on the role of warning about the dangers.
This dissent has now spread to key members of Netanyahu's own war cabinet. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, Netanyahu's main political rival, have publicly criticized the lack of a plan for the post-conflict period in Gaza.
Gallant has stated that his proposals for a new governing entity in Gaza, with strong Palestinian representation, have not been discussed or implemented. Gantz has accused “a small minority of taking control of the bridge of the Israeli ship and steering it to the rocks," threatening to quit the war cabinet if there is no change of course by June 8th. Netanyahu has responded dismissively, accusing his critics of advocating policies that would lead to "an end to the war and Israel's defeat."
However, the growing divide within the government and the military leadership has raised the possibility of the government's collapse, with Gantz's centrist party, National Unity, leading in the polls and poised to form the next government.
The key question now is what a new policy on Gaza would look like if Netanyahu is either forced to bend to the demands of his critics or is replaced as prime minister. The Biden administration has proposed that a "revitalized" Palestinian Authority (PA) should take over in Gaza, but the PA was previously ejected from the territory by Hamas in a coup, and it is widely seen as corrupt and unlikely to be able to fend off a Hamas insurgency.
Gantz and Gallant have expressed skepticism about the PA's ability to govern Gaza and have suggested alternative models, such as a cross-section of international and regional actors, or local elements aligned with Fatah.
Regardless of the specifics, there is a growing consensus among Netanyahu's critics that Israel should not directly govern Gaza, though the IDF is expected to maintain a strong security presence in the border areas.
The end-game remains uncertain, with the Biden administration pushing for a pathway to an eventual Palestinian state, while Gallant and Gantz are reluctant to endorse this due to its likely unpopularity in Israel.
The View:
It is clear that the political and military leadership in Israel has reached a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The prime minister's handling of the war and his refusal to develop a coherent strategy for the post-conflict period have alienated key figures within his own government and the military, who are now openly revolting against his leadership.
This revolt against Netanyahu is not merely a political squabble; it reflects a profound disagreement over the direction of the country's policies and the long-term consequences of the current approach. The generals and ministers who have spoken out understand the gravity of the situation and the need for a sharp change in direction, as evidenced by their willingness to break ranks and challenge the prime minister's authority.
Netanyahu's dismissive response to his critics, accusing them of advocating policies that would lead to "an end to the war and Israel's defeat," reveals a leader who is more concerned with maintaining his grip on power than with pursuing a pragmatic and sustainable solution to the conflict. His gamble for political resurrection, driven by the looming threat of corruption charges, is putting the country's long-term interests at risk.
The Biden administration's involvement, with its proposal for a "revitalized" Palestinian Authority (PA) to take over in Gaza, further complicates the situation. While the idea of transferring control to the PA has merit, the realities on the ground suggest that it is a risky and likely ineffective solution. The PA's past failures and the threat of a Hamas insurgency make it doubtful that it can effectively govern the territory.
The administration, as Israel's most important ally, has a crucial role to play in shaping the outcome of this conflict. By threatening Netanyahu's narrow parliamentary majority, Biden may be able to change the prime minister's incentives and steer him towards a more constructive course.
Ultimately, the decision lies with the Israeli people, who must choose between a permanent military occupation of Gaza, allowing Hamas to retain offensive capabilities, or relinquishing partial control to an outside authority that includes Palestinians but excludes Hamas.
TLDR:
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has reached a critical point, with growing divisions within the Israeli government and military leadership.
Generals and ministers have accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of "blocking any day-after plans for Gaza" and "squandering" Israel's gains in the war.
The dissent has spread to key members of Netanyahu's own war cabinet, with Defense Minister Gallant and Benny Gantz, Netanyahu's main political rival, publicly criticizing the lack of a plan for the post-conflict period.
The growing divide within the government and military leadership has raised the possibility of the government's collapse, with Gantz's centrist party, National Unity, leading in the polls and poised to form the next government.
The Biden administration has proposed that a "revitalized" Palestinian Authority (PA) should take over in Gaza, but the PA's past failures and the threat of a Hamas insurgency make it an unlikely effective solution.
The key question is what a new policy on Gaza would look like if Netanyahu is either forced to bend to the demands of his critics or is replaced as prime minister.
The end-game remains uncertain, with the Biden administration pushing for a pathway to an eventual Palestinian state, while Gallant and Gantz are reluctant to endorse this due to its likely unpopularity in Israel.
Insights From:
The Key To Understanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? He’s Gambling For Resurrection - Forbes
What Schumer and Biden Got Right About Netanyahu - New York Times