Ex-Israeli PM Barak calls Gaza war 'futile', politically motivated

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
26 Apr 2025 00:16
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Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak accuses PM Benjamin Netanyahu of being responsible for driving "Israel" "toward this abyss."

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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak during a lecture at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 (AP)

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has sharply criticized the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, describing it as “futile” and driven by the political interests of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli media reported.

In an interview with "Israel’s" Channel 12, Barak warned of an imminent threat to "Israel’s" future and identity.

“We in Israel are standing on the edge of a cliff," he said, adding, "There is an immediate and clear danger, first to the state’s security, and also to the structure of our political system, our democracy, the identity of the state, and its future."

Barak accused Netanyahu of being responsible for driving "Israel" "toward this abyss."

He went on to say that “Israel is currently engaged in a "futile war" and that Netanyahu is compelled to keep it going," emphasizing that this decision does not stem from security reasons, but because it serves the premier's political needs.

He stressed that he has "no doubt that if Netanyahu is forced to face investigation, he will collapse."

The former Israeli prime minister indicated that no military action like those currently being carried out will accelerate the release of the Israeli captives in Gaza.

Netanyahu's claims 'nonsense'

Barak also rejected Netanyahu’s claims about the war’s objectives, calling them “nonsense”.

He said, “Three weeks ago, Netanyahu presented his vision: We will enter Gaza with force, Hamas will lay down its arms, its leadership will be expelled abroad, and afterward, conditions will arise for implementing the Trump plan."

"But Trump no longer supports that vision, and he [Netanyahu] is incapable of achieving a total defeat of Hamas,” Barak noted.

The Israeli politician recalled that "there were once six army divisions in Gaza. We entered Jabalia five times, Beit Hanoun four times, and Deir al-Balah twice."

"Anyone who thinks something different will happen now is mistaken.”

Barak’s comments come as "Israel" continues its war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.

The war has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

Despite the scale of the war, Israeli media continue to report that Hamas continues to maintain control in Gaza, while "Israel" has failed to secure the release of captives even after a year and a half of war.