"Israel’s Netanyahu Is At War With Almost Everyone"

By - Mahadi Tukur Almizan

In an analysis piece titled "Israel’s Netanyahu is at war with almost everyone," published in The Washington Post on Friday, Ishaan Tharoor highlights Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's engagement in numerous battles. Tharoor notes that Israel is currently involved in the conflict with Gaza, alongside escalating tensions with Hezbollah along the Lebanese border.

Israel’s Netanyahu is at war with almost everyone https://t.co/0DWMQO0xgo
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Tharoor points out that Netanyahu is also initiating conflicts domestically and internationally. Recently, the Israeli prime minister dissolved the War Cabinet, which previously consisted of a small group of officials, including moderate political rivals, formed to manage the aggression on Gaza after the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023.

Disagreements over Netanyahu's handling of the war and his alignment with Israel's far-right have undermined the purpose of the War Cabinet, leading to clashes with Israeli generals and an increasing number of public disputes among senior leaders.

Tharoor then discusses Netanyahu's clash with US President Joe Biden. Netanyahu criticized Biden for allegedly withholding weapons from Israel and hindering its objective of completely defeating Hamas. Tharoor suggests that Netanyahu's criticisms of the White House, despite substantial support provided by the Biden administration to Israel, appear calculated to appease his right-wing base and bolster Biden’s Republican opponents.

Former US envoy to Israel, Martin Indyk, asserts that Israel is engaged in conflicts on four fronts: Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, and Iran. Indyk criticizes Netanyahu for attacking the United States based on fabricated claims. The writer notes Netanyahu's political acumen as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, describing his actions as a desperate attempt to retain power.

Internal dissatisfaction over Netanyahu's reluctance to commit to a ceasefire agreement, which would secure the release of remaining Israeli captives, has sparked fresh protests and calls for his resignation and new elections.

Highlighting a Pew Research Center poll, Tharoor indicates that Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant enjoys significantly higher approval ratings among Israelis compared to Netanyahu.

Netanyahu insists on the necessity to "eliminate" Hamas, despite US officials believing that the group's military capacity has already been substantially weakened. Tharoor underscores expert opinions that military defeat of Hamas is improbable without a lasting political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a sentiment echoed by senior Israeli military leaders.

The spokesperson for the Israeli military, Daniel Hagari, acknowledges the unattainability of eradicating Hamas, emphasizing its entrenched ideological and political roots. Tharoor suggests Hagari's remarks are aimed at Netanyahu and his far-right allies, whose support is pivotal for Netanyahu's political survival.

The Israeli far-right staunchly opposes postwar proposals involving concessions to Palestinians, such as Gaza's administration by a Palestinian entity and funding for its reconstruction.