Bad Boy, “Bibi” Netanyahu
Bad Boy, “Bibi” Netanyahu
By D.S. Mitchell
History Books
Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu still has dreams of going down in the history books as a brilliant, charismatic, and heroic leader, shaped by a lifetime of war and domestic conflict. But the abject failure of the Israeli government’s response to the Hamas attack on 10/7/23, that killed an estimated 1200 Israelis citizens, endangers Netanyahu’s dream.
Arrogance and Corruption
Sadly, like so many other men of prominence, Benjamin Netanyahu has succumbed to the familiar human failings of arrogance, greed, and corruption. A sad result for a man who has dominated the Israeli military-political sphere for the last four decades. Throughout this time, Netanyahu has portrayed himself as the single person who is smart enough, and strong enough, to keep Israel safe.
The Truth Comes Out
Ironically, he for years, was insuring “quiet” by sending suitcases of money through Qatar to the leaders of Hamas. What a sad revelation. Other information coming out about the initial Israeli response to the attack leaves a great deal of questions for the Netanyahu government to answer. We don’t need to wait until after the conflict to start an investigation into how the intel detailing the Hamas plan, known about for at least a year was ignored. There was no real surprise here; rather a “failure of imagination,” similar to the U.S. 9/11 response.
Threats of Indictment
In the United States. Donald Trump is facing multiple federal criminal indictments. Many pundits believe that it is Trump’s legal exposure that has him running for the presidency, again. It is presumed if he is re-elected he will be able to make his legal woes disappear. Similarly, Benjamin Netanyahu is facing possible indictment for money laundering, fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in three separate ongoing criminal cases. This is only the most recent of several attempts to indict Netanyahu for political corruption. The first threats at indictment and trial occurred way back in 1993 and again in 1997 without action. With all these legal problems hanging over his head “Bibi” has no incentive to end the conflict in Gaza. In fact, the war benefits Netanyahu’s goal to stay in power and out of jail. Amazing similarities between the two men.
No Place For The Non-Jew
Israel under “Bibi” Netanyahu is no place for the non-Jew. Coming from this gigantic melting pot of cultures and religions as I do, I reject with every fiber of my being, this mind set. Netanyahu’s ugly embrace of second-class status for non-Jewish citizens, most especially the Palestinians, is shameful. It is not right to standby those who are oppressing or dispossessing others. With the October 7th Hamas attack on Israeli citizens so fresh in our minds we cannot forget that for many years the far right Israeli government has supported barbarous actions against everyday Palestinians.
Reality
Whether we want to admit it or not, the United States is in support of an oppressive regime dehumanizing and disenfranchising the Palestinians on the West Bank and participating in an illegal land grab in the West Bank and potentially in Gaza. The United States does a great deal of business with Israel and has literally been the spine of Israel for decades. It is the unwavering support of the United States, that allows Israel to wear big-boy pants and swagger around the Middle East trampling on human rights. This is not a policy that the people of the United States want to support.
Joe Biden Reaction
I completely understand Joe Biden’s initial reaction to the horrific actions of the Hamas terrorists on 10/7/23. Myself and my numerous Jewish friends were shocked. Israel is a long time ally and the attack was inhuman. I was hopeful that diplomacy led by the United States would prevent a war and return 200 plus hostages to their families. As Antony Blinken jetted from one Middle East capitol to the next in a series of diplomatic missions to secure the release of the hostages and get humanitarian aid into Gaza my initial hopes collapsed. The Netanyahu government was playing hardball with the United States and despite pressure has continued to carry out indiscriminate bombing attacks on unarmed civilians. At least 22,000 people have died in Gaza since the conflict started.
Lobbying Influence
My question is; why shouldn’t we challenge our relationship with the Netanyahu government? Since when is any foreign policy topic too sensitive to have a conversation about? We all know that lobby money in the Congress buys votes; and we know the Israeli government is busy lobbying congress. The labeling of an individual, like Rep. Ilhan Omar as “anti-Semitic” because she had the courage to question the rightness of supporting the Netanyahu government; a government that denies human rights every day to Palestinians within their borders.
Criticism Is Necessary
Somehow, the idea that criticism of Israel should not be allowed is also wrong. The Netanyahu government is getting a hell of a lot of money and arms from Washington, D.C. and I believe we have a responsibility to restrict the use of weapons built by America in Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of a defenseless civilian population. It is important that we continue to pressure Netanyahu and his far-right allies to enter into an immediate cease fire and work diplomatically for the return of the hostages. There are at least 6 Americans being held prisoner by Hamas, I’d like to see them make it home.
Conclusion
There appears to be some confusion amongst Americans when they talk about Jews and the Jewish state. To have a reasonable conversation of the issues, it is important to separate the country of Israel from the religious philosophy of Judaism. Israel is a government, no better or worse than any other. Well, maybe worse than some, would be a better description. Many Americans, in the government and outside it, want to have a serious discussion about who we sell weapons to and what are our post sale responsibilities should be. With all the violent rhetoric on both sides, many fear to criticize decisions involving Israel because such criticism will automatically be tagged as anti-Semitic. At some point we must separate Judaism the religion from the political state of Israel and our relationship with said government
