What is Israel’s goal in obliterating so much of Gaza?
JVL Introduction
In an opinion piece in Al Jazeera, Neve Gordon asks what Israel wants from the bombing of Gaza.
The answer, he says, is: “Winning”.
But beyond the widely accepted belief that this justifies any amount of violence, there is no consensus in Israel on what that will mean.
Resettling Gaza as the right-wing settlers want? Transforming much of it into an empty buffer zone? Creating a Palestinian puppet government to police the area on Israel’s behalf?
Those who see the “together” in the slogan “together we will win” as a call for a Jewish Palestinian alliance are today few and far between.
But asserts Gordon, “This prophetic vision, however, is the only notion of winning worth fighting for. And our only hope for a peaceful future in this historic land.”
This article was originally published by Al Jazeera on Fri 10 Nov 2023. Read the original here.
Why is Israel bombing Gaza hospitals, ambulances? It’s all about ‘winning’
Most Israelis believe the violence unleashed on civilians is necessary – and justified – to achieve victory in Gaza.
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Even disregarding ethics, it’s amazing how different “winning” looks when you use a different perspective.
Yes, Israel’s pulverised Gaza, destroyed whole families and neighbourhoods, killed one in every 200 Gazans already. Netanyahu’s allies have got the scorched earth and genocide they seem to have wanted.
But from another perspective? I think Israel’s onslaught has cost it its future and its current plight looks as bleak as the hell it’s unleashed on Gaza.
Israel is now described as a “terrorist state” guilty of war crimes by Turkey, an important regional player and a member of NATO.
The EU is split but politically important members of it (Ireland – with its influence on America; France; and Spain) have become considerably more hostile than they were.
A substantial chunk of American public opinion is now appalled by what Israel has done; to a lesser extent supports the Palestinian side, not the Israeli side; and wants to stop America arming Israel. If America stops arming and supporting Israel then Israel becomes a very insecure state.
Israel has few friends around the world now. Losing America as an ally means Israel will lose other important allies too (eg the UK, Iraq and conservative Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and Jordan).
God’s chosen people…. Some God……. Some people.