Israel is an occupying state and has no right to defend itself

See Dr. Henry J. Barkey, professor of international relations at Lehigh University, said that the current war with Hamas poses a significantly more serious threat to Israel than the war of October 1973, fifty years ago: In 1973, the war was only military, since the Israelis managed, despite their suffering, very large losses, in diversion. No one then believed that the existence of the State of Israel was in danger. But this time the situation is different, as it is a political war, and early indications are that Israel is losing ground, according to the German news agency.

Barkey, senior associate fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, says in a report published by the American magazine National Interest that this issue is more dangerous, since the danger concerns its legitimacy in the eyes of many. Israelis may see and believe that this is a mistake and that the brutality of the October 7 attack is being ignored. This does not matter, because impressions are impressions and do not disappear, and the massacre in Gaza daily fuels what Hamas declares about war.

“Let’s face it: you can probably say that Hamas has already won the political battle,” Barkey says.

At the center of this Israeli catastrophe is one person: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He of course is fully responsible for Israel’s lack of preparation and its attempt to pass constitutional changes whose primary objective was his own self-interest.

Barkey adds that Netanyahu’s role in this tragedy is much more important, as he is an official without international credibility. Over the years there has been his arrogance, lack of empathy and adoption of illegal and cruel policies in the occupied West Bank. Perhaps it was very shocking to everyone that he openly appointed racist politicians in his government and diplomatic corps.

“Let’s imagine for a moment that the descendants of victims of the Holocaust – humanity’s worst xenophobic experiment – ​​find self-styled racists involved in the highest levels of their government,” Barkey says. For your information, Netanyahu is not accepted and hated by many leaders who support Israel, and the presence of him at the head of the government makes it quite easy for people to disbelieve Israeli accusations and arguments. He demonstrated his complete inability to acknowledge responsibility for his failure by publicly blaming the intelligence brass for the October 7 attack, and was forced to retract his statement under public pressure.

Therefore, in addition to the international community, why do Israelis trust Netanyahu to fight this war that has the country’s interests at its core? He knows he is politically finished and will not escape the political responsibility that will take place once the war is over. His only hope is to achieve a “victory” in this war with “Hamas” to save his reputation. Overall, he is the longest serving prime minister in the country’s history, and this disaster will be what everyone will remember forever.

It also refuses to understand the bigger political picture and insists on waging a disastrous war for which the Israelis were clearly not prepared. As a result, this war will get worse day by day, as demonstrated by all the bombs killing Palestinian civilians, which undermines all support.

Barkey points out that the failure of the 1973 war led to the emergence of the right-wing movement at the expense of the Labor Party, which spent a long period in power in Israel. A similar result can be expected this time too as Israeli voters will severely punish Netanyahu and the right. However, unlike the Labor Party, which calmly accepted its fate, one cannot be sure that the Israeli right wing still believes in democracy.

Barkey believes that if Netanyahu truly wants to be remembered by Israelis in a somewhat acceptable light, or in a less hostile light, he must resign and support the formation of a unity government under the leadership of someone who instills confidence in the country and all ‘abroad. .

One of the names being talked about is retired Israeli Air Force General Amos Yadlin.