Divisions within the Israeli government have intensified following a statement by war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot, who suggested that the key war aim of defeating Hamas is unrealistic. Eisenkot called for elections within months, citing a lack of trust in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.
In an interview with Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 News, Eisenkot acknowledged the impact of the military campaign in the north of the Gaza Strip but emphasized that an absolute defeat of Hamas had not been achieved. This statement contradicts Netanyahu’s assertion that the military campaign would continue until “complete victory” over Hamas.
The rift within the Israeli coalition government is becoming more apparent, with ministers in the war cabinet already at odds with each other. Eisenkot argued that fresh elections are necessary to restore public trust in the government, despite the ongoing conflict. He dismissed concerns about holding elections during wartime, emphasizing the severity of the lack of trust in the current leadership.
The war cabinet, formed to demonstrate unity, has failed to conceal the significant policy differences among its members, according to Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute. As the conflict surpasses the 100-day mark, political scientist Reuven Hazan predicts that divisions will continue to worsen.
Eisenkot criticized the government for not prioritizing the release of hostages, which he deemed as the highest priority. A November poll by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed that while Israelis overwhelmingly support defeating Hamas and retrieving hostages, they consider the return of hostages to be more important.
Tensions between Israel and the United States have also escalated, with Netanyahu rejecting the idea of a post-war scenario that includes the creation of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu argued that such an arrangement would jeopardize Israel’s security. The strained relationship with the U.S. is expected to worsen, especially as Netanyahu clings to power.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and other politicians have called for fresh elections, warning that Netanyahu’s strategy risks alienating the U.S. and leaving Israel entangled in the Gaza conflict. The public’s focus may shift to Netanyahu’s pre-war shortcomings once the conflict concludes, potentially affecting his political survival.
Despite calls for Netanyahu to step down, he has refused to take responsibility for events preceding the war. The prime minister’s political survival may hinge on the continuation of the conflict, according to Hazan, as the public’s sentiment could turn against him once the war ends.
An opinion poll by the Israel Democracy Institute indicated that only 15% of Israelis want Netanyahu to remain prime minister after the war, with former Defense Minister Benny Gantz emerging as a likely successor. The political landscape remains complex, with Netanyahu’s stance against a Palestinian state possibly shaping the narrative in future elections. Plesner, however, disagrees with the notion that Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political gain, emphasizing that war decisions involve broader considerations beyond the prime minister’s preferences.
