-Analysis-
PARIS — In a country at war, if the army’s spokesperson contradicts the head of government, you’ve got yourself a problem. That is what happened this week in Israel, and it is far from being the only sign of disagreement between the army and the government amid unrelenting war.
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The statement by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), on an Israeli television channel, was startling: He said those who talk about eliminating Hamas are “throwing sand in the eyes” of the Israeli public. This is in direct opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s declared aim for his war in Gaza.
Hagari went further, saying “Hamas is an idea. Hamas is a party. It’s rooted in the hearts of the people — whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.” Feeling targeted, Netanyahu immediately issued a statement reaffirming that the “destruction of Hamas’s military and governmental capabilities” remains a war objective and that the army is dedicated to it.
The paradox of war
This could have remained an isolated incident if 48 hours earlier, Netanyahu had not already contradicted a decision announced by the military leadership: The IDF had announced a daily pause in the fighting in Gaza for a few hours to allow humanitarian aid to pass through. Netanyahu appeared surprised and tried to overturn the decision.
While the Israelis largely support their army’s actions, they do not trust their head of government.
This is a sign, not so much of disagreements about the validity of this war launched by Israel after the Oct. 7 attack, but of the climate surrounding Netanyahu’s very persona.
One of the great paradoxes of this eight-month punitive war — for which the UN has called for an end, so far in vain — is that while the Israelis largely support their army’s actions, they do not trust their head of government.
Every week, massive demonstrations call for early elections and demand that the release of hostages be an absolute priority. The man who would likely be elected prime minister in a vote, former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, recently resigned from the war cabinet, accusing Netanyahu of carrying on with the conflict for his own personal interests.
Tricky navigation
But the prime minister retains his majority in the Israeli Parliament, with the support of the far-right. This forces him to navigate between obstacles and make concessions, such as transferring part of the administrative management of the occupied West Bank from the army to one of the far-right leaders, Bezalel Smotrich, an ultra-nationalist associated with the settler movement. A provocative move, but one that allows Netanyahu to stay in power.
This political chaos primarily benefits Netanyahu, one against all.
The prime minister is also toying with American rivalries, in this election year. He launched a scathing attack on Joe Biden, accusing him of withholding certain arms deliveries to Israel. This statement was immediately used by Republican leaders against the Democratic president. Netanyahu has also been invited by the Republican majority in the House of Representatives to speak before Congress next month.
This political chaos primarily benefits Netanyahu, who knows how to navigate such confusion, one against all. Between the intransigence of Hamas and Netanyahu’s political maneuvers, the only constant is the grim reality of war.
