The Economist Leaders column notes that the attacks of October 7th are reshaping the Middle East. Under Binyamin Netanyahu’s leadership, Israel is making blunders that undermine its own security. The proposal for a “two state solution” to the war in Gaza is supported by President Biden and many allies of the United States. Prime Minister Netanyahu and other members of Israel’s right wing government are opposed to a Palestinian state after the conflict ends.
How might a new Israeli security doctrine work? The Economist supports removing Hamas from power in Gaza: it has oppressed and impoverished the people there. It is also an impediment to peace. But Israel should make clear its fight is with the terrorists. That means using force judiciously and letting in a lot more aid. It also means having a plan for after the war that creates a path to a moderate Palestinian state. Such an approach would help maintain support for Israel in America and elsewhere. This is crucial: America deters Iran and backs detente between Israel and Gulf states that also oppose Iran’s influence. Most important, it underwrites the security of Israel itself. (Binyamin Netanyahu Is Botching the War. Time to Sack Him, 2024)
Shammai Engelmayer is rabbi of Kehillat Torat Chayim v’Chesed — a virtual congregation — and an adult education teacher in Bergen County. He is the author of eight books and the winner of 10 awards for his commentaries.
As of December 22, Netanyahu has held office for 5,807 days — 932 days more than were served by the previous record-holder, David Ben-Gurion, the primary founder and indisputable architect of the modern State of Israel. In a column in the Jewish Standard in December 2023 Shammai Engelmayer argues that Bibi must go — now!
Much worse, though, is this: While Hamas, and Hamas alone, is to blame for what happened on October 7, Netanyahu and Company are to blame for enabling Hamas to succeed as it did. As part of their “Greater Israel” effort, Bibi’s right-wingers decided to crack down unmercifully on the West Bank. To do so, however, required moving IDF units and intelligence operations away from the southern border with Gaza into the West Bank. They did that despite the fact that Israeli officials knew since the summer of 2014 that Hamas was developing an attack plan, the knowledge of which grew exponentially over the last year or so. (Engelmayer, 2023)
As the daily newspaper Haaretz reported on November 24:
“For over a year before Hamas’s massive attack on Israel…, Military Intelligence had detailed information on the group’s plan to breach the Gaza border at dozens of points and attack dozens of communities and army posts…, but Israel didn’t properly prepare for the threat….[Instead, the] army diluted the forces of its Gaza Division…[and] withdrew companies that had been deployed at certain kibbutzim….” (Engelmayer, 2023)
CBC News reports that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is ‘not surprised’ by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent comments on Palestinian statehood. Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu said he has informed the U.S. that he opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state as part of any post-war scenario. Trudeau restated that Canada remains deeply committed to a two state solution in Gaza.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said that President Joe Biden would "not stop working" toward a two-state solution and that it was in the best interest of Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.
"The focus right now is making sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Hamas and that humanitarian aid and assistance continue to get to the desperate people of Gaza," Kirby said during an informal briefing with reporters aboard Air Force One.
"But there's going to be a post-conflict Gaza," he said, telling reporters the U.S. has been clear that Israel should not reoccupy the territory and that the Biden administration supports governance that "represents the aspirations of the Palestinian people." (Israeli PM Tells U.S. He Opposes a Two-State Solution in Postwar Gaza, 2024)
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said there is "no way" to solve Israel's long-term security challenges in the region and the short-term challenges of rebuilding Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state.
"But there is no way to solve their long-term challenges to provide lasting security and there is no way to solve the short-term challenges of rebuilding Gaza and establishing governance in Gaza and providing security for Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state." (Israeli PM Tells U.S. He Opposes a Two-State Solution in Postwar Gaza, 2024)
The plan of the United States for supporting the security of Israel differs in a significant way from the aspirations of Binyamin Netanyahu’s right wing government. Continued American military and financial aid should be contingent on agreement on the path to peaceful and secure co existence of Israel and the Palestinian state.
References
Binyamin Netanyahu is botching the war. Time to sack him. (2024, January 3). The Economist. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/01/03/binyamin-netanyahu-is-botching-the-war-time-to-sack-him
Engelmayer, S. (2023, December 21). Bibi must go — now! The Jewish Standard. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/bibi-must-go-now/
Israeli PM tells U.S. he opposes a two-state solution in postwar Gaza. (2024, January 18). CBC. Retrieved January 20, 2024, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-palestinians-netanyahu-two-state-solution-1.7087705
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