Israeli opposition figures band together to plot post-Netanyahu rule
5 Min Read
Israeli opposition figures have formed a forum to shape a post-Netanyahu government, revealing deep fractures over identity, military service, and power.
-
Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid meets with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of NY, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington (AP)
Leaders of "Israel’s" opposition parties announced the creation of a joint forum designed to coordinate political strategy against the ruling coalition and outline a framework for a future government, Anadolu reported.
The initiative follows a meeting between opposition leader Yair Lapid, Yisrael Beiteinu chief Avigdor Lieberman, and fellow opposition figures Gadi Eisenkot and Yair Golan.
In a joint statement, the Israeli opposition figures said the Party Leaders Forum will serve as a permanent body, with its next session scheduled immediately after 'Yom Kippur", which begins on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 1, and ends on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 2.
The forum will establish a committee tasked with drafting core principles for a prospective government. These include a new constitution, universal service obligations, and protections for "Israel’s" identity as a “Jewish, democratic and Zionist” state.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz are expected to join the next meeting. The opposition emphasized that the forum’s goal is to “tighten the ranks within the opposition in preparation for the next political phase.”
Eizenkot warns Gaza invasion would be 'strategic folly' for 'Israel'
Former member of the Israeli security cabinet Gadi Eizenkot warned that an Israeli occupation army invasion of Gaza City would not lead to an immediate victory over Hamas, according to a report published Saturday by Israel Hayom.
Eizenkot described the idea of storming Gaza City as a “strategic folly”, arguing that “the Israeli army today is under unsuitable leadership.” His remarks came amid continued debate within the Israeli entity over the course of its military campaign against the Palestinian Resistance movement.
Earlier, the Israeli occupation forces' Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, acknowledged that Hamas “cannot be defeated militarily or politically, even after an operation to occupy Gaza City,” according to the Israeli Channel 12.
Israeli Media: Netanyahu's path mirrors South Africa's apartheid
In a striking statement on Channel 13, prominent Israeli media commentator Alon Ben-David warned last Friday that "Israel's" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is steering “Israel” toward the fate of apartheid-era South Africa, a state that was alienated and ultimately forced to dismantle its segregationist entity.
“The Sparta that Netanyahu is preparing us for is South Africa of the last century: a state the world grew tired of, isolated, and punished until it surrendered and abolished the apartheid regime,” Ben-David said.
Despite decades having passed since apartheid officially ended, Ben-David noted that the stigma remains.
“Even three decades later, the first thing that comes to most people's minds when they hear ‘South Africa’ is apartheid," the Israeli commentator said. "It's extremely difficult to remove the stain from a country afflicted with leprosy.”
Read more: Benjamin Netanyahu blames Ben-Gvir for leaking Israeli Cabinet talks
Israeli media raises alarm over war on Gaza, global backlash
According to Ben-David, the ongoing war on Gaza is pushing “Israel” into a position where the global community increasingly associates it with mass violence and impunity.
The Israeli media commentator stated that “the continuation of the war in Gaza is pushing us toward a reality in which the first thing associated with ‘Israel’ or Israelis is genocide.”
He denied that “Israel” is committing genocide in Gaza, but warned that the international perception tells a different story, stating, “Not because we are committing genocide in Gaza, we are not. But the world does not understand what we are doing there, or why we continue to kill dozens, and soon hundreds, of people every day.”
Genocide allegations may define 'Israel’s' future image
Ben-David emphasized that confusion even exists within the ranks of “Israel’s” own military leadership.
“The truth is, even our top military commanders don’t really understand. So why should we expect the world to?” he asked.
His remarks reflect a growing unease within the Israeli media over Netanyahu’s policies and their long-term consequences, particularly the risk of “Israel” being labeled internationally as an "apartheid state" responsible for genocide in Gaza.
Read more: UK plans Palestinian state recognition as early as Friday
Netanyahu warned on September 15 that "Israel" is growing increasingly isolated amid the genocide being committed in Gaza, stating, “We are going to be a super-Sparta, we have no choice.”
The Israeli prime minister's comments came during the annual conference of the director general of accounts in the Finance Ministry.
“Hostile states are investing huge sums to influence debates on social media, putting us in a kind of isolation,” Netanyahu added, cautioning of “a tangible risk of economic sanctions and restrictions on importing weapons and spare parts.”
