Some critics have noted that the Israeli military has not achieved either of its objectives of dismantling Hamas or rescuing all of the remaining 133 hostages that Hamas is holding, eight months after the Gaza Strip was invaded.
However, two-thirds of Israelis continue to endorse their military’s aggressive strategy in Gaza, which includes restricting humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.
The majority of Israelis have lost faith in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and would prefer to see new political leadership, despite the fact that many Israelis are in favor of the military’s conflict in Gaza.
I am of the opinion that it is crucial to comprehend the factors that contribute to the collective psyche of Israelis in order to elucidate these seemingly contradictory dynamics and perspectives, as someone who has studied Israeli politics for nearly three decades.
In January 2024, individuals in Tel Aviv protested and held portraits of the Bibas family, who were abducted by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023.
A sensation of persecution that is well-known
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants took 240 hostages and returned them to Gaza while also killing an estimated 1,200 people in Israel.
The brutal killings that took place on October 7 and the annihilation of entire communities in southern Israel left Israelis feeling vulnerable, insecure, and horrified. The attacks served as a reminder to Israelis that the nation is confronted with existential threats, which they contend must be eradicated in any feasible manner.
In 2022, the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea will be visible from the summit of Masada.
The persecution of Jewish individuals has a lengthy history, spanning from the biblical era to the Holocaust during World War II. This sensation of an imminent, perpetual threat of persecution is referred to as the “Masada syndrome” by certain scholars. In A.D. 73, the ancient Kingdom of Israel engaged in a final conflict against the Roman army at Masada, an ancient fortification located in southern Israel. Ultimately, Masada was devastated, and all of its Jewish residents committed suicide in order to evade Roman enslavement. As a result, Jews were deprived of their political autonomy for nearly two millennia until Israel was established in 1948.
The story of Masada is still taught and remembered in Israel as a constant reminder that Jewish people cannot ever fully rely on the mercy or help of other countries and that Jewish identity and independence are always at risk of persecution. For an extended period, the Israeli Defense Forces conducted induction ceremonies at the summit of Masada, a site that is also a popular tourist destination.
“Each and every generation, they rise up against us to annihilate us” is a ceremonial text used during the Jewish holiday of Passover.
In recent decades, the Masada syndrome has been less prevalent among the majority of Israelis.
The attacks on October 7th caused pervasive national trauma and compelled a significant number of Israelis to revert to the Masada mentality.
Once more, I find myself alone.
Another significant factor that contributed to the retreat of numerous Israelis to their previous feelings of persecution and a perceived necessity for self-defense is the global response to Oct. 7.
Despite the fact that the United States, the United Kingdom, and France expressed strong support for Israel shortly after Oct. 7, other nations like Russia and China did not condemn the Hamas attacks.
Additionally, it required approximately five months for United Nations experts to acknowledge the systematic sexual violence that occurred on October 7.
FIsraelis’ widespread denial that it is committing war crimes, as the International Criminal Court recently asserted in a request for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, further isolated them. Additionally, certain Israelis have expressed doubts regarding the precision of the data regarding the number of civilian fatalities in Gaza.
The majority of Israelis regard these allegations of genocide as a new form of antisemitism and an example of global prejudice against Israel.
Netanyahu has capitalized on these feelings of persecution to diminish any criticism of his own leadership and to justify Israel’s conflict in Gaza.
On May 20, 2024, Israelis demonstrate in Jerusalem, advocating for a hostage agreement and general elections in response to their government.
The collapse of Netanyahu
Polls have consistently demonstrated that Israelis’ support for the conservative political parties that comprise Netanyahu’s governing coalition has been declining since the commencement of the Gaza war.
According to a May 2024 poll, Netanyahu’s party would lose nearly 40% of its seats in the Israeli Parliament if elections were conducted today. The same survey also revealed that only 35% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu is qualified to serve as prime minister.
In January, only 15% of Israelis believed that Netanyahu should remain in office.
There are numerous factors that contribute to the Israeli public’s general support for Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza and their increasing skepticism of him as a politician and leader.
First, the majority of Israelis attribute the events of October 7 to Netanyahu’s government. 7. Netanyahu is perceived as the primary culprit for Israel’s failure to address Hamas’ escalating military capabilities over the past decade, which included the construction of underground tunnels in Gaza.
Additionally, there are detrimental concerns that predate October 7.
Israelis are also apprehensive that Netanyahu’s desire to maintain power may influence his approach to the conflict and his inability to negotiate a hostage deal or agree to a ceasefire.
The outbreak of mass demonstrations in various Israeli cities was the result of Israelis’ concerns regarding Netanyahu over the past few months. es. These protesters, who include the families of the hostages, are urging Netanyahu to negotiate an agreement that will release the remaining hostages, even if it entails agreeing to a long-term cease-fire.
However, it is uncertain whether these demonstrators constitute the majority of public opinion. It is crucial to distinguish this protest from the majority of Israelis’ aspiration to see Hamas defeated.
Israel’s predicament
There are a few factors that will affect Israel’s future, and it is uncertain. sues. Netanyahu may eventually be compelled to resign and accept responsibility for failing to prevent the Oct. 7 attack as a result of an increase in public pressure.
The intensity of Israeli demonstrations calling for his resignation is increasing, which indicates the likelihood of such a scenario.
At the same time, the increasing international pressure on Israel to cease its war in Gaza may result in Netanyahu engaging in additional conflicts with far-right members of his coalition, which could ultimately lead to the dissolution of his administration and his removal from office.
The potential for the war to escalate into a more extensive regional conflict would significantly alter the current dynamics of the region in ways that are challenging to anticipate. Nevertheless, this development has the potential to compel Israel to conclude the conflict in Gaza in order to address other emergent military threats.
