NEW YORK CITY, Dec 22 (IPS) – The urgent need for a leadership change in Israel is clear: Benjamin Netanyahu must step down. While he presents his agenda as judicial reform, the reality is that it undermines legislative integrity and deepens national divisions. His actions pose a significant threat not only to Israel’s internal cohesion but also to its relationships with Arab nations, including those that have embraced the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu has increasingly become a barrier to Israel’s democratic evolution and its diplomatic engagements in the region.
What Israel requires now is a government that prioritizes peace initiatives and a cabinet committed to fostering negotiations. The ongoing state of conflict only serves to empower organizations like Hamas and satisfies Jewish hardliners who oppose the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people. The persistent state of war not only distracts the electorate from Netanyahu’s failures but also provides him a shield against accountability concerning the intelligence failures that occurred on October 7.
It took the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) an alarming ten hours to respond to the unprovoked assault by Hamas. Renowned for its robust defense and intelligence capabilities, Israel was caught completely off guard. In the midst of chaos, residents of kibbutzim were left trembling in their shelters as over 1,200 Israelis were tragically killed in their homes and at the Nova Music Festival. The horror extended further with hundreds taken hostage, subjected to unimaginable atrocities, while 130 captives remain unaccounted for in Hamas’s grip.
Addressing Israel’s objectives in this conflict is complex. The reality is that complete eradication of Hamas is an unattainable goal, particularly when it comes to freeing the hostages trapped within the extensive underground network of Gaza. Recently, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Jerusalem to engage in discussions regarding the ongoing situation and the potential scaling back of Israel’s military offensives.
In the chaotic backdrop of battle, the IDF made a grave mistake last week when they killed three Israeli captives who were displaying a white flag and speaking in Hebrew. Such actions, including shooting at individuals who surrender, represent a clear violation of both international humanitarian laws and Israel’s own military codes. This tragic incident has sparked a wave of indignation across the nation, raising serious questions about the conduct of Israel’s military operations. The Hamas Ministry of Health has reported that approximately 20,000 Palestinian civilians have lost their lives as a direct result of IDF actions, prompting families of the hostages to demand a thorough investigation.
There is a growing outcry for the safe return of the captives. Families of the hostages are not only advocating for their loved ones’ release but are also urging for a strategy to bring an end to the conflict. Initially supportive of Netanyahu’s military response, many are now wavering in their support. They fear that continued military action in Gaza jeopardizes the lives of the remaining 130 hostages. This disastrous operation has embroiled Israel’s key security institutions—the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad—in a scandal that cannot go ignored.
Even President Joe Biden, historically Israel’s staunchest ally, has criticized the IDF for what he termed “indiscriminate bombing.” Major European nations like France, Germany, and Britain have expressed their discontent, similarly calling for a “sustainable ceasefire” to ease the humanitarian crisis.
Netanyahu has stated that there will be an appropriate time to investigate both the Hamas attacks and Israel’s military response. He believes that delaying such inquiries will serve to placate the interests of the hostage families, but this approach is increasingly being questioned.
The protracted conflict with Hamas must come to an end. While the retribution following the atrocities of October 7 was justified, two months later, the IDF’s actions appear to lack direction, leading to a perception of Israel as the aggressor, consequently losing its moral high ground. Israel undeniably has the right to defend itself; however, what began as a calculated anti-terrorism effort now resembles a relentless pursuit of vengeance.
The question remains: Can Hamas truly be defeated? It is essential to recognize that Hamas is not merely an organization; it is a movement. For every militant that Israel eliminates, countless others are ready to take their place, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
It is time to adopt a fresh approach. A transitional government led by the Palestinian Authority should be established to formulate a roadmap towards an eventual Palestinian state that can coexist peacefully alongside Israel.
Waging indiscriminate warfare is counterproductive and perilous. A more surgical military strategy would differentiate between Hamas militants and the civilian population of Gaza, effectively addressing the allegations of collective punishment.
Internationally mediated negotiations should commence as soon as the hostages are released. The Palestinian people require a cohesive national strategy that enables them to extricate themselves from Hamas’s control and pursue legitimate statehood.
Upcoming Israeli elections are likely to reject Netanyahu’s leadership and pave the way for the formation of a peace-oriented government, restoring Israel’s reputation as a democracy that respects minority rights and fosters positive relations with its neighbors.
It is astonishing that Netanyahu continues to maintain his position despite the evident failures of his leadership. Prosecutors are poised to charge him with corruption, and although Israelis may debate the formation of a new government for some time, polling indicates a strong consensus among citizens for a change in regime.
David Phillips is an Adjunct Professor at the Security Studies Program of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
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