Israeli Media| The war did not change anything: Israel is still on the path of destruction drawn by Netanyahu

By Tamir Fardo

Days, months and years pass under the rule of one man. The eyes are still closed, or perhaps open, but they see nothing.

The State of Israel is going through the most difficult and complex period since its establishment. It seems that there is an invisible hand that has succeeded in pushing this life-loving, dynamic, and amazing country to the brink of the abyss. However, the same invisible hand seems to have succeeded in putting virtual reality glasses on our eyes and making us see an opposite image of reality.

The year 2023, which finally ended, was the most terrible year on all levels. It began to build a corrupt coalition, all aimed at protecting the prime minister, who is accused in court. A government that Netanyahu and Yariv Levin used to declare their victory, a government in which extremists constitute a basic pillar and hold central positions, such as the Ministries of Finance and Homeland Security, in addition to 10 unnecessary ministers, and the dismantling and reassembling of ministries in the government without any logic or benefit. In addition to all of this, a budget was drawn up, the goal of which was one: to maintain the coalition, even if the price was the dismantling of the state.

Only two months passed, and the judicial coup led by Netanyahu and Levin began, and with it the chaos began. Netanyahu launched a campaign to sow division, whose sole goal is to destroy society in Israel and adopt the messianism of the right-wing and Haredi parties. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's warnings did not help at all. Month after month, the security services' warnings continued of a clear and immediate threat of a multi-front war, but no one heeded them.

The crisis was not only in Israeli society, but there was a crisis no less serious with Israel's friend and greatest supporter. The American administration, which viewed the Israeli government with increasing concern.

Commitment to Israel - even during a period of crisis in relations

The relationship between Israel and the United States is based on common values, the values of democracy, the fact that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and the status of American Jews in American society. This position is the great strategic foundation that Israel had in the Middle East and the entire world. It is what made Israel more than just an ally. The power of the United States constituted a shield in the face of movements against Israel in the international arena, with exceptional steps: a “veto” in the United Nations and its institutions over the course of decades, and unique security guarantees of its kind that preserve Israel’s technological superiority, and defense of Israel in international institutions, such as the International Atomic energy, human rights institutions and courts. As for the security level, there is unprecedented cooperation between Israel and the United States, similar only to the cooperation between the United States and Britain, and for nearly 20 years it has served as a major pressure tool in the Israeli conflict against Iran, and terrorism in the world in general, and in the Palestinian context in particular in the fields of intelligence and operations.

More than that, the recognition that Israel would obtain the necessary weapons and ammunition in times of crises was unprecedented in international relations. These relations were also preserved when Netanyahu personally attacked US President Barack Obama. Intelligence and operational cooperation exceeded all limits of imagination.

Not inviting Netanyahu to the White House was not a coincidence.

The American administration was shocked by the government coalition established by Netanyahu, as it was an extremist government with terrifying messianic and racist components. The statements of government ministers and their disdain for the value of relations between the two countries were responded to with a request to stop the judicial coup and what is happening in the West Bank. This is through messages stating that Israel's position in the United States is becoming worse with each passing day, and that the Jews of the United States have begun to show signs of their distress. 

Despite all this, the Israeli government is still on its way. Despite all the warnings of a multi-front war, the Israeli government remained asleep.

Israel is turning into an obstacle in US regional policy

In the October 7 attack, Israel received the heaviest blow since its founding. The occupation of the Western Negev took place for more than two days, leaving about 1,200 dead, thousands injured, 240 kidnapped, and 150,000 refugees in their country. The war began, in defense of the homeland, but not only in Gaza, but also on the northern border. There are great efforts being made to prevent the West Bank from igniting, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait has been closed to Israeli navigation. It is good to remember that a similar event took place in 1967, and was a justification for the outbreak of the Six-Day War.

The Americans are trying to explain to the government that despite the disaster and the high price, there is a historic opportunity to integrate Israel into the regional system that the United States wants to establish, as a response to the Iranian-Russian-Chinese threat in the Middle East. The United States, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the Emirates, and the rest of the moderate countries participate in this system. This opportunity, if realized, could be the beginning of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and ensure Israel's security.

At this point, the ability to realize this opportunity seems unrealistic. 

The prime minister's motive for survival and his attachment to extremist parties do not allow this opportunity to be exploited. The great danger to the State of Israel is that, for the first time, it could be in direct confrontation with America's highest national security interests. This irresponsible behavior by the Israeli government and its president could lead to an existential threat to the Zionist state, and also to the Jews of the diaspora.

Woe to us if, one day, the Pentagon and the US State Department send a statement to Congress and the White House, saying that Israel is no longer an asset to the United States, and has turned into a strategic burden! Things are clear before us, and we would all do well to understand that.