Page 12 - The Indian EYE 031524

OPINION MARCH 15, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

country’s security in Gaza and the al position, which could favour PM
failed deterrence against Hamas that Netanyahu to maintain the domestic
his security officials had claimed to power status quo.
provide over the years[xi]. Immedi-
ately following the October attacks, POST-WAR DISCOURSE
a public campaign called “Together The setting of Gaza’s post-war
with the Kippur 73 Veterans” was landscape has become an essential
launched, demanding the Prime subject of discourse for sustainable
Minister to take public responsibility peace in the region. PM Netanya-
for his failure of security in the Oc- hu, trying to manoeuvre cautiously
tober 7 massacre and form a state between his moderate war Cabinet
commission of inquiry. Instead, Net- and his nationalist far-right coalition
anyahu blamed the Chief of Staff, the on governance and rehabilitation
heads of the Israel Defence Forces, of Gaza post-war. The moderates’
and the Shin Bet. views, converging with those of the
This dwindled his support United States, want to consider the
amongst the electorate. However, option of Mahmoud Abbas’ rule in
he improved support for the security Gaza to prevent the security vacuum,
heads, stating, “Together we stand”. while the nationalists argue against
The opposition parties have asserted it. Further, PM Netanyahu’s opin-
that PM Netanyahu “is not qualified ion converging with his far-right co-
to lead the country” stating Benny The setting of Gaza’s post-war landscape has become an essential subject of discourse for alition members indicates that Israel
Gantz (MK) has the best chance of sustainable peace in the region (File photo) would continue to exercise security
winning. It raises the possibility of a control in Gaza indefinitely, oppos-
political turn against Netanyahu if ing the Palestinian Authority’s rule,
Gantz exits the interim wartime Cab- Egypt is dissatisfied with Israel over violates the 1948 Genocide Conven- owing to its leader, Abbas, who had
inet, given the declining popularity the Philadelphi Corridor, which tion. The ICJ’s verdict urged Israel refused to acknowledge the October
of the former among the electoral forms part of the boundary between to take action to prevent genocide, 7 massacre in Israel.
voters. the two countries. PM Netanyahu’s although it fell short of demanding Meanwhile, the Israeli public
The third trend suggests the dif- declaration to exercise control over an immediate ceasefire. In response, has questions about Netanyahu’s
ficulty of de-barring Netanyahu from the corridor has put the relationship PM Netanyahu, while simultaneous- strategy of winning the war. In one
the elections according to some ana- between Tel Aviv and Cairo in jeop- ly appeasing his far-right coalition, of the surveys conducted in Israel
lysts. One good reason is that there ardy. Qatar has expressed discon- argued that it was incorrect, out- by the Mitvim Institute for Regional
is no legal requirement to hold elec- tent with Netanyahu’s criticism of landish, and immoral for the ICJ to Foreign Policies, only 5% of citizens
tions until late October 2026, except its mediation efforts when speaking even discuss this issue. Justification think Israel should stick to Netanya-
if the coalition falls apart. However, to the families of the hostages in a of its actions based on the “right to hu’s “conflict management” strategy,
the politicians both inside and outside leaked recording[xix]. Jordan’s crit- self-defence” mentioned in Article 28% favour some form of annex-
Netanyahu’s coalition are unable to icism of Israel’s disastrous military 51 of the United Nations Charter ation, and 52% think Israel should
form an alternate government since attack on the Gaza Strip has caused perhaps supports Israel’s argument. break away from the Palestinians ei-
they are eager to take the lead rather PM Netanyahu to suggest postpon- However, the global community is ther unilaterally or through an agree-
than follow, breeding mistrust in one ing the extension of a water agree- unwilling to accept its conduct of ment, similar to what happened in
another. In addition, PM Netanyahu ment, straining relations. Israel’s war. the Gaza Strip in 2005. The remain-
is incredibly adept at turning oppo- diplomatic negotiations with Saudi Israel’s current domestic pol- ing 15% of them did not have any re-
nents against one another and speak- Arabia have been stalled due to the itics has reacted to this position of sponse to the conflict.
ing about their banishment from the Gaza war as Saudi Arabia aims to international concerns on the con-
political sphere if they work against prioritise humanitarian issues over flict. Representing the opposition CONCLUSION
him. This makes the disintegration of political ones. parties, its leader Yair Lapid stated, The dynamics following the
the coalition appear slim. The United States’ mediation “This government does not know conflict will not only shape PM Ne-
efforts continue, it is engaging with how to manage a war, and it is push- tanyahu’s destiny but also how peace
NETANYAHU’S REGIONAL AND Saudi Arabia in the post-war strate- ing us into a deep economic crisis in the region is going forward, as the
GLOBAL RESPONSES gy for maintaining regional stability, that hurts every citizen’s pocket and latter depends upon the former. The
PM Netanyahu’s domestic chal- despite PM Netanyahu’s persistent has landed us in The Hague”. Nev- conflict has caused extensive human-
lenges are a subset of friction at the rebuff to peace with Palestine. ertheless, on February 21, 2024, in itarian catastrophes with no substan-
global/regional level. Therefore, Meanwhile, the United Nations Sec- disregard of international calls, the tial outcome. Given the divisions be-
Israel’s internal decision-making retary-General Antonio Guterres Israeli Knesset supported Netanya- tween PM Netanyahu’s coalition and
impacts its standing in the region has stated Netanyahu’s denial in hu’s refusal to grant the Palestinian the wartime Cabinet, and the lack of
amidst the crisis, which in turn is recognising the Palestinian people state recognition[xxix]. Further- political electoral support based on
significant for navigating through as “unacceptable”. more, the Israeli public has become the polls concerning the Gaza war,
its domestic politics. Although hav- Israel is losing global support unconcerned about the nuances of the pursuit of peace remains distant.
ing been resentful of Israel for the as a result of its incessant attacks Israel’s international status due to Nandini Khandelwal is a Research
greater part of history, certain Arab on Gazans throughout the conflict. its preoccupation with problems of Intern at Indian Council of World
states are trying to mediate the cur- On December 29, 2023, South Af- national security. One such survey Affairs, New Delhi. Views expressed are
rent conflict, particularly in light of rica filed a case against Israel in conducted by Gallup suggests that personal.
some of them having normalised re- the International Court of Justice post-Hamas attack only 13% of Is-
lations with Israel. Yet fractures are (ICJ) seeking to condemn it for the raelis want a lasting peace, while a This article first appeared in the View-
witnessed. genocide in Gaza while delineating record-high 74% are against it. It point section of the website (www.icwa.
There are reverberations in the Israel’s long-standing “apartheid indicates the general disinterest of in) of Indian Council of World Affairs,
region of the conflict. For instance, policy” towards Palestinians, which Israeli domestic politics in its glob- New Delhi, on March 5, 2024

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