Israeli PM accused of ‘selling illusions’ over Gaza

Rifts over Israel’s conduct in the war on Gaza are growing between Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden as well as within the Israeli government and the US administration. By the end of the year, both men could be on their way out of office.

Last Friday, Biden spoke to Netanyahu about his statement a day earlier that after the Gaza war ends Israel will not agree to a post-war Palestinian state and will retain security control over the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. The Guardian reported that Netanyahu clinched his case by saying his “country’s security needs left no space for a sovereign Palestinian state.” This is a recipe for disaster and nothing new.

For decades, Israel has done everything in its power to prevent the emergence of a Palestinian state and has exercised full security control over Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. On the one hand, Israel has expanded the takeover of the territory Palestinians demand for their state by planting 720,000 colonists in 44 colonies and 100 Israeli outposts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. On the other hand, Israel – which enjoys control by land, sea, and air — has tightened its grip on everyone and everything entering and leaving the occupied Palestinian territories.

Nevertheless, Netanyahu’s words stung Biden who has been pressing for the moribund “two-state solution” involving the emergence of a Palestinian state in territories occupied by Israel in 1967 in exchange for Arab diplomatic and trade relations with Israel. This is also nothing new. The Arab peace plan, adopted at the 2002 Beirut summit, called for full Israeli withdrawal from the 1967 occupied territories in exchange for full relations with Israel.

Biden seems to believe Netanyahu owes him a debt of gratitude for providing Israel with political and diplomatic protection against critics and UN resolutions demanding a ceasefire during the brutal onslaught on Gaza which has killed 25,000 Palestinians, disappeared thousands beneath the rubble of bombed buildings, and injured 60,000. Biden has also enabled Israel to continue its Gaza offensive by sending Tel Aviv 230 cargo planes and 20 ships filled with artillery shells, armoured vehicles and combat gear. And, Biden has promised Israel $14 billion in aid.

At the end of their previous phone call on December 23rd, Biden hung up on Netanyahu and did not speak to him for nearly a month after having near daily contact once the war began on October 7th when Hamas raided southern Israel, killing 1,139, of whom a third were soldiers and policemen, and taking captive 240. This lacuna was caused by the Israeli leader’s refusal to deliver on the president’s calls for a shift from carpet bombing of Gaza which kills scores of Palestinians on a 24-hour basis and allowing essential humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Although Netanyahu has done neither, Biden has exerted no serious pressure on the Israeli premier to comply with US wishes — which cannot be confused with demands backed by sanctions. The arms continue to flow smoothly while life-saving aid for Gaza’s 2.3 million people trickles into the Strip due to Israeli inspections and interference.

Due to his unflinching backing of Netanyahu, Biden faces increasing criticism from White House aides, leftist and, recently, centrist Democratic lawmakers, US government employees, and the US public. As his approval rating is already below 40 per cent, he could very well lose the November election to presumed rival Donald Trump.

According to Israeli dissident journalist Gideon Levy, Israel’s war on Gaza has “wall-to-wall” backing by the Israeli public but polls show only 15 per cent of Israelis want Netanyahu in office after the war ends. Some Israeli commentators argue that Netanyahu has prolonged the war due to fear of losing immunity from prosecution for bribery and corruption granted by high office. Others contend Netanyahu seeks “total victory” in the war and to bring home the Israeli captives to recover from criticism over Israel’s failure to predict Hamas’ intentions and bungled response to the Hamas attack.

A member of Israel’s five-man war cabinet, retired Army Chief Gadi Eisenkot, has accused Netanyahu of “selling illusions.” First, the prime minister holds that the military could recover the more than 130 remaining captives during its deadly and devastating ground assault. Three have already been killed and it is not certain how many others have survived. Eisenkot — whose son and nephew were among the 200 Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza — argued that “it is impossible to bring back the hostages alive without going through a deal” involving a ceasefire and release of Palestinian prisoners. In November last year, Hamas freed 105 captives in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinian detainees.

Second, Eisenkot contended Netanyahu has made a false claim that the Israeli army has delivered a decisive blow against Hamas although the offensive has lasted more than 100 days. Third, the general stated, “Whoever speaks of absolute defeat (of Hamas) is not speaking the truth.” Finally, he criticised Netanyahu and his cabinet of refusing to discuss what is to happen in Gaza after the war ends.

This has left the door open for the US, UN, the West, the Palestinians, and the Arabs to insist on the “two-state solution” which Netanyahu has long rejected. Netanyahu has good reasons for refusing to plan for the end of the war. His extreme right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich are eager to promote the return of Israeli colonists to Gaza and could bring down Netanyahu’s government if they do not get their way. The reintroduction of Israeli colonists would be vigorously opposed by the US, the West, the Arabs and most Israelis as this would involve the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, causing unending crises and violence.

Before Eisenkot lashed out, former alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz had castigated Netanyahu for refusing to discuss the trajectory of the campaign and plans for ensuring Israel’s security after the war. Gantz had been alarmed when the 16-member security cabinet erupted in loud bursts of abuse among members when convened to discuss Gaza’s post-war administration. Gantz, another retired army chief, has been critical of Netanyahu’s handling of affairs since the war began. He has refused to take responsibility for the chaotic response by the military to the Hamas attack and has laid the blame on the military and the current chief General Herzi Halevi.

The highly popular Gantz has hinted he could resign although this would not bring down the government. Gantz is not a minister and Netanyahu’s coalition has 64 of 120 Knesset seats.

While Biden faces defeat in this year’s election, Netanyahu could join him as there are calls for a fresh legislative election in coming months although this is not due until 2026. On Saturday, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak unleashed a broadside against Netanyahu for hobbling the Israeli military in the Gaza war by refusing to define “a realistic political goal” which Barak, another former army chief, stated must be the “two-state solution.” He demanded, “There must be an early election.”