For close to three months now, Israel has been at war with the barbaric terrorist organization Hamas, after its animals slaughtered twelve hundred innocent people in the most horrific ways. For most Israelis this means running to the shelter every now and then, particularly in the south and center of the country but also in the north, where the terrorist ally of Hamas, Hezbollah, is attempting to pull Israel into a second front war.
For the residents in the South and North of Israel, it also means that they were forced to leave their homes because of the impending dangers. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have lived in hotels, kibbutz guest houses and with family for more than two months, with the people from the north watching TV in the evening and seeing their houses being destroyed by Hezbollah and people from the south having nowhere to go back to because their houses have been destroyed in the October seventh attack.
And, as is expected in war, there are casualties every day and news bulletins on radio and TV start with the names of soldiers who fell in battle that day. Youngsters mostly, 20, 21 years old, whose dreams and future were demolished and who are buried in never ending ceremonies across Israel. To date, close to five hundred soldiers fell in the Gaza strip and the end is not in sight. No matter how justified this war is, and how necessary for the security and maybe even the existence of Israel, the price is maybe too high to pay and other options should be explored to end the bloodshed. And for that we have the politicians, no? Our political leadership, who have formed a special war cabinet to make decisions about the war, how to win it and how to end it Aren’t they busy day and night with these painful questions? Well, forget it.
With a Prime Minister whose only concern is himself and his political survival, the war is a secondary nuisance which may very well be used to extend his political career. Forming a government with fascists who will not hesitate for one moment to promote their own political interests, even if this is against agreements or will harm the war effort, because they know that Netanyahu will not stop them.
Internal Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir is, in violation of agreements that were made when the war cabinet was established, is determined to end the tenure of the Israeli Prison service commissioner. Ben Gvir is convinced that the commissioner (Ms. Kate Perry) is not sufficiently harsh with Palestinian prisoners and negotiated with them on treatment issues. While the tenure of the commissioner has not been without problematic issues, replacing her in a time of war, when the Prison Service has to deal with a large influx of (especially) Hamas prisoners, is harming Israel’s Security and is against the clear agreements tht were made. However, Ben Gvir will do as he sees fit and the partners in the War Cabinet, such as Gantz and Eisenkot will simply have to swallow their pride, or leave the government, which in wartime is both unprecedented and irresponsible, the more since it would leave Netanyahu and his cronies to do as they please, even if this will have disastrous consequences.
The scandalous behavior of Ben Gvir comes after the shameful attempt by two other ministers in this government, who insisted on taking money that should go to the war effort and transfer it to the Occupied Territories to make sure that now, while nobody is watching, the Jewish terrorists there will be able to do the maximum to harass the Palestinian population, destroy their livelihood and property, all under the watchful eye of the Israeli army. In the end, only part of the money was transferred and Minister Orit Struck blamed everybody for not supporting “Jewish” interests.
The war is not going to end anytime soon. The cost will only increase when we move forward end the fact that we are being governed by a bunch of self-centered politicians who do not seem to care about destroyed houses in the south, displaced Israelis all over and most of all the dread of an army officer knocking on doors to convey the worst message of all, only strengthens the fear that these irresponsible incapable “politicians” will destroy this country so Hamas won’t have to do it.
Israel will get past this. And come out of it stronger than ever. But will we have learned anything beyond military superiority? That a real democratic government is the only option we really have? That fascists should nor rule this country, not here and not in the territories? Don’t count on it.
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