Netanyahu Extended Gaza War for Power – NY Times
Netanyahu’s Political Resilience: From Near-Expulsion to Unprecedented Strength
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Benjamin Netanyahu, the long-serving leader of Israel, has defied widespread predictions of his political demise, emerging from a period of intense scrutiny and legal challenges to a position of seemingly unprecedented strength. A year marked by attempts to weaken the judiciary, dismiss the attorney general, and dismantle military units due to judicial overhaul efforts, had many convinced that Netanyahu’s political career was nearing its end. Though, through a combination of shrewd, frequently enough ruthless political maneuvering, sophisticated propaganda, and a direct confrontation with the judicial system, Netanyahu has not only survived but appears to have consolidated his power.
A calculated Political Strategy
Netanyahu’s strategy has been characterized by a willingness to employ tactics that some have described as “brutal” and “dishonest.” While promising to be available for his ongoing trial,he has consistently utilized various pretexts to avoid appearing in court. This approach, coupled with a powerful propaganda machine operating within Israel, has allowed him to shape public perception and maintain his political standing.
The narrative of Netanyahu’s resilience is further underscored by his handling of recent geopolitical events. The speaker highlights his role in “flipping the war” and initiating conflict with Hezbollah, noting that Hezbollah was the first to launch an unprovoked attack on Israel. Perhaps the most important achievement cited is Netanyahu’s alleged success in convincing president Donald Trump, in a call on June 9th, to agree to Israeli strikes against iran and to subsequently commit U.S. B-2 bombers to target Iranian nuclear sites. This diplomatic coup, if accurately portrayed, represents a significant escalation of regional tensions and a testament to Netanyahu’s persuasive capabilities on the international stage.
Emerging Stronger from Crisis
The speaker, Ronen Bergman, an Israeli Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times, suggests that the events of the past two years, particularly since October 7th, have paradoxically strengthened Netanyahu’s position. “And now, after two years, he is stronger than ever since October 7,” Bergman stated, adding that some believe he is “maybe even strong enough, after all that happened, to rewin the elections.”
Bergman posits that Netanyahu’s current efforts to weaken and dismiss ”gatekeepers” – a term likely referring to judicial and oversight figures - are strategically timed, possibly in anticipation of announcing new elections. This move, he argues, is not coincidental but rather a calculated step to ensure his continued political dominance by removing potential obstacles to his power.
Context and Further Reading
The analysis of Netanyahu’s political survival comes in the wake of a significant examination by The New York Times magazine, titled “How Netanyahu Prolonged the War in Gaza to Stay in Power.” Bergman is also the author of the acclaimed book, Rise and Kill First: The Secret history of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations.
The discussion of Netanyahu’s political maneuvers was part of a broader conversation on Democracy Now!, which also touched upon immigration raids in Oxnard, California, where a farmworker died from injuries sustained during the raids and hundreds were apprehended. The program featured a musical tribute to migrant workers by La Santa Cecilia.