Some critics claim that the Israeli military has n’t accomplished either of its objectives, which is to end Hamas and rescue all of the remaining 133 hostages that the organization holds, eight months after Israel invaded the Gaza Strip.
But two-thirds of Israelis continue to support their army’s hostile policy in Gaza, including restricting humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Most Israelis no longer believe in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration and would like to see new political command, despite the fact that many Israelis back the government’s occupation of Gaza.
As someone who has spent nearly three decades studying Israeli politics, I think it’s crucial to understand what factors influence the Jewish people’s collective mindset in order to explain these ostensibly contradictory dynamics and viewpoints.
A common feeling of harassment
Hamas insurgents killed an estimated 1, 200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023, and took 240 captives again to Gaza.
Israelis were shocked, susceptible, and insecure after the brutal murders on October 7 and the extermination of complete communities in southern Israel. Israelis were persuaded by the problems that the nation is facing existential challenges, which they believe need to be eliminated in any way.
Israeli populations have been persecuted for a long time, dating back to World War II when the Holocaust occurred. Some scientists call the experience of a regular, looming danger of persecution the” Masada syndrome”.
The old Kingdom of Israel engaged in a decisive battle with the Imperial army in A. D. 73 at Masada, an ancient fortress in southeastern Israel. In order to avoid being enslaved by the Greeks, all of its Israeli citizens committed suicide in Masada in order to avoid being enslaved there. Before Israel was established in 1948, Jews lost their political unification for nearly 2, 000 ages.
Jewish people can never ever totally depend on the kindness or assistance of different countries, and the history of Masada is also taught and remembered in Israel as a constant reminder that Israeli personality and independence are always at risk of persecution. The Israeli Defense Forces have been holding training rites for a long time on Masada, a well-known tourist destination.
According to a royal word used during the Hebrew holiday of Passover,” Each and every generation they rise up against us to kill us.”
In recent years, the Masada illness had been less prevalent among the majority of Israelis. This is partly due to the relatively quiet state of the Israeli-Palestinian issue up until recently following the second intifada, a harsh rebellion by Palestinians in the early 2000s. Over the past few years, Israel has even ratified harmony agreements with Arab nations like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco.
The October assaults caused a lot of national pain and caused many Israelis to re-adopt the Masada culture.
Only afterwards
Another significant factor that caused some Israelis to give in to their past fears of oppression and the idea of self-defense was the global response to October 7.
While the United States, the UK, and France expressed strong support for Israel soon after October 7, other nations, including Russia and China, did not condemn the Hamas problems.
Additionally, it took five weeks for UN experts to acknowledge the widespread sexual murder committed on October 7.
Israelis were also more isolating because the International Criminal Court just alleged in a plea for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defence minister. Israelis have even questioned the truth of Gaza’s statistics on human deaths.
These claims of murder are seen by the majority of Israelis as a new form of racism and as a sign of international discrimination against Israel.
To underplay any criticism of his own command and to validate Israel’s battle in Gaza, Netanyahu has used these feelings of persecution.
Netanyahu’s death
Surveys have consistently shown that Israelis are no longer backing the liberal democratic parties that make up Netanyahu’s decision coalition.
A May 2024 surveys shows that if elections were held now, Netanyahu’s gathering would lose about 40 % of the seats it has in the Israeli Parliament. Only 35 % of Israelis believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fit to serve as excellent minister, according to the same ballot.
In January, just 15 % of Israelis thought Netanyahu may stay in office.
Israelis ‘ total support for Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza and their growing hostility of him as a leader and politician are two explanations for this.
Second, most Israelis blame Netanyahu’s state for October 7. They believe that Netanyahu is largely to blame for the fact that Israel did not address Hamas ‘ expanding military functions in the previous ten years, including the construction of underground caverns in Gaza.
There are also serious problems that have existed prior to October 7. In 2023, legislation that limited judges ‘ judicial review powers over laws and government policies was passed by Netanyahu to try to destroy the country’s criminal branch’s independence. In Israel, this sparked a sizable uprising.
Israelis worry that Netanyahu’s desire to stay in power may have an impact on his approach to the conflict and his inability to reach a prisoner package or consent to some kind of cease-fire. His defence team has claimed that the battle leaves him with little time to attend the investigations because he is facing some corruption-related costs and wants to postpone these criminal tests. Netanyahu even wants to satisfy his extreme right- wing followers, who want the war to continue.
An increase in large-scale demonstrations in various Israeli settlements has been the result of Israelis ‘ concern for Netanyahu over the past few months. These activists are requesting that Netanyahu reach a offer that will open the victims who are still alive, even if that means agreeing to a long-term cease-fire, including the hostage’s families.
However, it’s unclear whether these protesters make up the majority of the public’s mind, and it’s crucial to avoid confounding this rally with the majority of Israelis ‘ need to observe Hamas be overthrown.
Israel’s conundrum
Israel’s path forwards is questionable, and it will be influenced by a few concerns. A rise in common outcry against Netanyahu could ultimately lead to his resignation and accept responsibility for the attack that occurred on October 7.
The rising frequency of Israeli demonstrations demanding his departure demonstrate the growing prospect of such a scenario.
In addition, growing international pressure on Israel to put an end to its occupation of Gaza may cause more problems between Netanyahu and his coalition’s far-right members, leading to the end of his presidency and his ascension.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to predict how the region’s current dynamics would change significantly as a result of the war’s potential expansion into a wider geographical conflict. However, this growth may prompt Israel to declare a war on Gaza in order to respond to another growing military threats.
Arie Perliger is the director of safety studies at UMass Lowell, as well as a professor of sociology and righteousness studies.
The Conversation has republished this essay under a Creative Commons license. Read the original content.