Dr. Ashraf Badr: Ya'alon's statements constitute an explicit criticism of the government's performance and the instructions it imposes on the Israeli army

Muhammad Abu Allan Daraghmeh: Ya'alon's statements highlight the phenomenon of military and political leaders becoming more inclined towards "liberal" discourse after leaving power

Dr. Raed Abu Badawiyya: Ya'alon's statements may be used as additional testimony to support the already conclusive evidence available about Israeli violations in Gaza

Fayez Abbas: Yaalon's statements about "ethnic cleansing" are an "earthquake" in Israel, for fear that the Palestinians will exploit them in international forums

Dr. Omar Rahhal: Ya'alon's statements do not reflect a "conscious awakening" as much as they come in the context of political conflicts and internal disputes in Israel

Yasser Manna: Ya'alon settles scores with Netanyahu, portraying him as responsible for policies that expose Israel to dangerous consequences

The statements of former Israeli Minister of War Moshe Ya'alon about the occupation army committing ethnic cleansing operations in the northern Gaza Strip reveal deep cracks in the internal Israeli scene and open the way for increasing international criticism of Israeli policies in Gaza. However, these statements show the extent of political disputes and their reaching a major slope in the occupying state of Israel.

In separate interviews with Al-Quds, writers, political analysts, specialists and university professors confirm that Yaalon’s statements are considered a criticism of the Israeli government’s performance, which reflects the intense conflicts in the occupying state. These statements also reinforce the Palestinian narrative about Israeli war crimes, which puts Tel Aviv in an international crisis, especially with the escalation of calls to hold Israeli officials accountable before international courts.

They point out that these statements reveal the depth of personal tensions between Ya'alon and the head of the occupation government, Benjamin Netanyahu, but they reflect deep concern about the future of Israel and its international standing. They may also add additional evidence of Israeli crimes in Gaza before international courts, which raises fears of escalating pressure on Israel in light of the legal cases filed against it.

They point out that the repercussions of these statements are still ongoing, amid widespread criticism from the government and even the opposition, with attempts to justify military policies, with the aim of reformulating the official Israeli narrative about the war on Gaza, but the internal situation in Israel remains tense, with real fears for Israel's future.

They assert that Ya'alon's statements did not reflect a "conscious awakening" as much as they were part of internal political conflicts, as his tense relationship with Netanyahu, which prompted him to resign, raises questions about the motives behind his statements.

Writers, analysts, specialists and university professors believe that these statements highlight the phenomenon of Israeli military and political leaders’ tendency to adopt a “liberal” discourse after leaving power, in an attempt to promote themselves in the context of their attempt to lead the political scene again.

Deep internal and external dimensions

The writer, political analyst and specialist in Israeli affairs, Dr. Ashraf Badr, believes that the recent statements of the Minister of War and former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Moshe Ya’alon, regarding the occupation army committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza, carry deep internal and external dimensions.

Badr explains that on the Israeli domestic level, Yaalon’s statements constitute an explicit criticism of the government’s performance and the instructions it imposes on the Israeli army, even though he has disavowed criticizing the army directly, which is something that stirs up the stagnant waters within the Israeli political scene, given the high status that Yaalon enjoys in Israeli society.

According to Bader, Ya'alon is a prominent figure in the Israeli political scene. He belongs to the ruling Likud party and is seen as a symbol of the Israeli security establishment. His public attacks on the current government's policies have sparked a wave of debate about government and military performance, which could pave the way for a rise in opposition voices within Israel.

Deep differences with Netanyahu

Dr. Bader believes that Yaalon’s statements express a deep political dispute between him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which goes back to the latter’s marginalization of him politically and exclusion from influential positions, which left clear scars on their relationship.

Badr points out that the criticisms made by Ya'alon, although they are personal in nature due to the disagreement with Netanyahu, show a real concern for Israel's status and future. According to Ya'alon, Netanyahu's policies are causing great harm to the Zionist project that Israel has worked to build for decades.

Badr points out that Ya'alon, despite his differences with Netanyahu in approach, agrees with him on the basic goal of serving the Zionist project, but Ya'alon believes that Netanyahu's policies are destroying what has been achieved.

On the international level, Bader asserts that Yaalon's statements may reinforce the Palestinian narrative regarding Israel's commission of war crimes and ethnic cleansing operations, especially in the Gaza Strip, and these statements may be used as supporting evidence in international courts, where Israel faces lawsuits regarding its crimes against the Palestinians.

Badr believes that these positions highlight Israel's internal divisions, which weakens Israel's image before the international community.

Badr stresses that Ya'alon's statements do not stem from a conscience awakening, but are part of a deep political rivalry, stressing that Ya'alon himself is accused of committing war crimes during his tenure as Minister of War, which makes him part of the system of occupation and aggression practiced by the Israeli army.

An unprecedented storm of criticism

The writer and expert on Israeli affairs, Muhammad Abu Allan Daraghmeh, describes the statements of the former Israeli Minister of War and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon, in which he spoke about committing massacres and ethnic cleansing operations in the northern Gaza Strip, as having caused an unprecedented storm in Israeli political circles, as Ya'alon was subjected to a sharp attack from various political factions in Israel, whether from the ruling coalition or the opposition, and it also caused a wide resonance on the external level.

On the domestic level, Draghmeh explains that the Israeli government, with all its components, launched an attack on Ya’alon’s statements, describing them as defaming the Israeli army. The political opposition, led by Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz, also re-used the traditional defense discourse, stressing that “the Israeli army is a moral army that operates according to human values and international law,” and that what it is doing in Gaza is not genocide or ethnic cleansing, but rather “fighting terrorism.”

Draghmeh points out that the storm was not limited to the political arena, but extended to Israeli society. It prompted the father of one of the Israeli officers killed in Gaza to file an official complaint against Yaalon with the Israeli police and the Shin Bet, demanding an investigation into his statements. The officer’s father considered that these statements endangered the lives of soldiers and constituted a threat to state security.

The phenomenon of "liberal" discourse after leaving power

Daraghmeh asserts that Yaalon's statements do not reflect a conscience awakening, but rather come within the framework of internal Israeli political conflicts. The relationship between Yaalon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been deeply tense, especially after the latter pushed Yaalon to resign from his position as Minister of War. This deep personal and political dispute explains the severity of Yaalon's statements, which some see as an attempt to settle scores with Netanyahu.

However, Draghmeh points out that Yaalon's statements highlight a familiar phenomenon in the Israeli scene, where military and political leaders become more inclined towards "liberal" discourse after leaving power, without reaching the point of fully supporting Palestinian rights.

Draghmeh cites similar positions of figures such as Ehud Olmert, Ehud Barak, and Yair Golan, who called for political solutions after leaving their official positions.

On the external front, Draghmeh believes that Ya'alon's statements received wide international media coverage, which raised great concern in Israel.

Draghmeh stresses that the importance of these statements comes from the fact that they were issued by a prominent military figure who held high official positions, and came at a sensitive time after international arrest warrants were issued against the Israeli Prime Minister and his Minister of War.

Draghmeh points out that these statements add legal weight to the International Criminal Court’s narrative about Israel’s commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, and may lead to the issuance of more arrest warrants against Israeli military leaders, including the current Chief of Staff and the commanders of the Southern Command in the army.

Confronting Ya'alon's statements internally

In the face of the storm that Ya'alon's statements have stirred up, Israel has begun moves to contain its repercussions. Draghmeh points to a meeting that will be held in the Knesset under the title "The Siege - The Model of Victory According to International Law," which will be attended by ministers, Knesset members, military leaders, and experts in international law. The goal of the meeting is to justify the Israeli army's policies in the northern Gaza Strip, including the evacuation of residents and the imposition of the siege, as "legal and necessary measures to combat the enemy."

Draghmeh explains that this meeting reflects an Israeli attempt to respond to international criticism and reformulate the official narrative to defend the army, while emphasizing that military operations are in line with international law.

Meanwhile, Draghmeh points out that Ya'alon, in an attempt to mitigate the impact of his statements that sparked widespread controversy, confirmed that he did not mean the Israeli army, but rather the political level that is openly talking about ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza now, and settling Jews there.

Daraghmeh points out that Ya'alon claimed that he hoped that his public appearance might prevent the Israeli government from committing war crimes and holding Israeli army officers responsible, as was the case on October 7. He also said: "We must know how to win and remain humane."

Additional testimony to support conclusive evidence of crimes in Gaza

Dr. Raed Abu Badawiyya, Professor of International Law and International Relations at the Arab American University, believes that the statements of former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon regarding war crimes and ethnic cleansing in the northern Gaza Strip have clear political dimensions and reveal sharp divisions within Israel.

Abu Badawiya believes that Ya'alon's statements, despite their importance, do not constitute conclusive legal evidence in themselves before the International Criminal Court or the International Court of Justice, but they may be used as additional testimony to support the conclusive evidence already available regarding Israeli violations in Gaza.

Abu Badawiya explains that Ya'alon, as a former military man, provided an analysis that reflects a growing concern about Israel's international image and its political future.

According to Abu Badawiya, Ya'alon believes that his statements about ethnic cleansing and settlement policies may threaten Israel's international standing and push it towards the abyss, especially with the escalation of international pressure to hold it accountable for its crimes in the Palestinian territories.

Opposition to the continued occupation of Gaza..

Abu Badawiya points out that Ya'alon's statements come in the context of opposing the continued Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, which reflects the existence of a current within Israel, even among former leaders, that opposes the policies of the ruling extreme right, especially with regard to the occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Abu Badawiya explains that this political discourse by Ya'alon also reflects the unprecedented level of deep division within Israel, where the conflict between political forces has reached its peak, placing Israel at a major crossroads that threatens it as a Jewish state and places it before existential challenges, both internally and internationally.

Abu Badawiya explains that what opponents of the Israeli right-wing policies fear is that the occupation of the Gaza Strip will result in significant economic and human losses, in addition to its demographic effects, especially in light of the growing Israeli concern about the Palestinian demographic composition in the West Bank and within the 1948 borders, and then the attempt to control two million Palestinians in Gaza, which means increasing those fears, which constitute additional pressure on the Israeli leadership to make strategic decisions related to the future of the occupation.

Trump and Netanyahu pushed him to an expected settlement

Regarding future scenarios, Abu Badawiya believes that Donald Trump’s return to the White House may push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a comprehensive settlement that includes the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and normalization with the Arab world.

Abu Badawiya asserts that this settlement may include an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip as part of a broader political deal aimed at achieving strategic gains for Israel, especially in the West Bank, and strengthening its normal relations with Arab countries.

"Earthquake" in Israel for fear of being exploited in international forums

Israeli affairs expert Fayez Abbas explains that Yaalon's statements about the occupation army carrying out ethnic cleansing operations in northern Gaza sparked a political and media storm inside and outside Israel, especially since the statements came based on testimonies of officers and soldiers serving in Gaza.

Abbas points out that Ya'alon is known for his military and political history, and his description of the ongoing operations as "war crimes" has significant dimensions, especially since he indicated that the soldiers are carrying out orders that contradict their personal convictions.

According to Abbas, this statement is considered unusual given Ya'alon's security status, as the statement sparked widespread criticism from the government coalition and the opposition, and many demanded that he retract and apologize, but he insisted on his position and refused to submit to political pressure.

Abbas believes that Yaalon's statements constituted an "earthquake" in Israel, but they were not the result of Israeli concern about acknowledging war crimes or ethnic cleansing operations per se, but rather due to fear that the Palestinians would exploit these statements in international forums. As international criticism of the Israeli aggression on Gaza escalates, it seems that this statement may open the door to broader demands for holding Israel accountable internationally.

Abbas points out that former Defense Minister Yoav Galant faces an international arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. He described Ya'alon's statements as "false allegations," stressing that the Israeli army carries out its operations "in accordance with the law and the ethics of the army."

Abbas points out that Ya'alon, in contrast, has escalated his statements, indicating that the Israeli army "is no longer the most moral in the world," a claim that has been repeated previously in the context of criticism of crimes committed by the occupation forces.

Abbas explains that Ya'alon's statements do not necessarily reflect an "awakening of conscience," but rather appear to be a warning of the serious repercussions for Israeli soldiers, both in terms of the dangers they face in Gaza and the international trials that may await them.

Abbas believes that it is clear that Yaalon fears for the future of the Israeli military establishment, especially with the increasing international pressure to hold Israel accountable for its crimes in Gaza.

According to Abbas, Ya'alon's statements will not go unnoticed, as they may be used as a political and legal tool against Israel in international forums, which will strengthen the Palestinians' efforts to demand accountability for the occupation. These statements may also lead to further tension within Israel between the government and the opposition, and between the military leadership and the political elite.

It does not reflect a "awakening of conscience" but rather political struggles in Israel.

The writer, political analyst and director of the Shams Center for Human Rights, Dr. Omar Rahhal, believes that the statements of former Minister of War Moshe Ya’alon regarding Israel’s implementation of war crimes and ethnic cleansing operations in northern Gaza carry special significance, because they come from a former military official who is fully aware of the requirements of international law and the war crimes that constitute their violation.

Ya'alon, according to Rahal, spoke from a military perspective, far from political contexts, even if he meant internal political disputes, which gives his statements relative credibility and makes them difficult to deny or ignore, especially when viewed from a legal and political perspective.

Dr. Rahhal points out that Ya'alon's statements, despite their importance, do not reflect an "awakening of conscience" as much as they come in the context of political conflicts and internal disputes in Israel.

Ya'alon's attempts to dominate the political scene after Netanyahu

Rahhal explains that Ya'alon was once part of the military system that committed these crimes, and now seeks through these statements to achieve personal political gains. He aspires to return to the Israeli political arena after the era of Benjamin Netanyahu, and wants to create a new image for himself before the international community, especially the Europeans, as a "peacemaker" and supporter of human rights, despite his record full of violations and crimes during his tenure in office.

Rahhal points out that this strategy is not new in the Israeli scene, as many military and security officials who were involved in war crimes are trying to reshape their image after the end of their service, by appearing as peaceful and peace-supporting.

It constitutes a legal reference in condemning Israel.

Dr. Rahal believes that Ya’alon’s statements could constitute an important legal and political reference if used correctly by international human rights institutions. These statements could provide guiding evidence about the violations committed by the Israeli army in Gaza, especially if other supporting testimonies from former military officials like Ya’alon are available. However, Rahal doubts Ya’alon’s willingness to testify before legal forums or cooperate with human rights institutions, as his primary goal is to improve his political image, not to achieve justice for the victims of crimes.

Rahhal stresses the importance of exploiting such statements to shed light on Israeli crimes in Gaza, noting that they may open the door to future international trials of Israel and its leaders, especially if they are presented as supporting evidence to document war crimes in international courts.

Settling scores with Netanyahu after the ICC decision

Writer and expert on Israeli affairs Yasser Manna believes that Ya'alon's statements, in which he described what is happening in the Gaza Strip as "ethnic cleansing" and which sparked widespread reactions, reveal multiple dimensions related to the current Israeli political and military scene.

Mana' points out that Ya'alon, who is known for his hardline positions towards the Palestinians, is one of the most prominent Israeli military figures with a solid reputation in the security establishment, having previously served as Minister of Defense and led major military operations, which makes his statements have a great impact on the Israeli political scene.

Mana' explains that, however, Ya'alon's description of the situation in Gaza as "ethnic cleansing" constitutes a departure from the traditional discourse adopted within political and military circles, which raises questions about the reasons and motives for this proposal.

Mana links Ya'alon's statement to the deep personal dispute between him and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which forced him to resign as defense minister in 2016. Ya'alon is considered one of Netanyahu's harshest critics, especially with regard to security policies and crisis management.

Mana'a explains that Ya'alon's statements come at a sensitive time, as Netanyahu faces local and international pressure against the backdrop of accusations from the International Criminal Court.

According to Mana, Ya'alon seeks to settle scores between himself and Netanyahu and exploit the ICC decision and this critical timing to strike Netanyahu, portraying him as responsible for policies that expose Israel to serious legal and political consequences.

Mana believes that Yaalon's statements highlight a growing conflict between the traditional military elite, to which Yaalon belongs, and the new elites that have risen in recent years with the support of Netanyahu and his allies.

According to Mana, Ya'alon expresses in his statements his concern about the changes in Israeli security strategies, which he considers dangerous to national security, reflecting short-term opportunistic strategies, which deepen divisions within the Israeli military establishment.

An unprecedented shift in Israeli domestic discourse

Mana'a asserts that Ya'alon's use of the term "ethnic cleansing" reveals an unprecedented shift in the internal Israeli discourse, as it opens the door to new international criticism of Israel. The statement also raises questions about the future of the relationship between the military and political establishments in light of the continuing differences between the various elites, which may affect the stability of the Israeli regime in the coming period.