Despite divisions, Israelis agree on diminished trust in leaders: NYT
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The report points out that many Israeli settlers are seeking answers as to why their government was so absent during these critical moments.
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A Palestinian supporter pastes Hitler's mustache on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's photo during a protest outside Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
The October 7 events shattered the confidence of Israeli settlers in "Israel" and that the year of war that followed has deepened internal divisions within the Israeli society, The New York Times reported.
The newspaper emphasized that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declared objective of destroying Hamas remains distant, despite the extensive destruction in Gaza.
It also highlighted that many Israelis are seeking answers as to why the government was so absent during these critical moments, a collapse that has undermined the long-held belief that it would always be there to protect them.
Furthermore, it pointed out that Israeli settlers feel that their government has abandoned them.
The report confirmed that, despite deep ideological, ethnic, religious, and secular divisions exacerbated by the war, many Israelis largely agree on one thing: their diminished trust in "Israel's" political leaders.
According to the newspaper, many Israelis believe that the failure to secure the return of captives has torn apart the mutual responsibility contract, a core pillar of the Zionist movement, which asserts that Jews have a shared obligation to support and care for one another.
The article also acknowledged concerns over a "quiet brain drain," noting that emigration tripled in 2023 compared to 2021, with fewer Israelis returning from abroad last year.
The Israel Broadcasting Authority reported that around a quarter of Israelis are considering leaving occupied Palestine due to the war's consequences, with about a third contemplating emigration over the past year, including 8% who considered permanent relocation.
Meanwhile, the Walla news website highlighted that thousands of Israelis have already emigrated to Canada since October 7, 2023.
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