Netanyahu’s Ambitions Unraveled: The Monkey’s Tail Reveals Israel’s Hidden Vulnerabilities

In recent developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a campaign against Egypt, drawing attention to Israel’s vulnerabilities while attempting to project strength. This situation highlights Israel’s ongoing struggle to shift the political dynamics in Gaza, nearly 17 months after initiating a devastating conflict against the Palestinians in the region.

By targeting Egypt, a significant player in the Arab world, Netanyahu appears to be trying to assert Israel’s dominance. However, this strategy inadvertently reveals Israel’s weaknesses. Such behavior aligns with Netanyahu’s historical pattern of advancing aggressively while avoiding accountability for the consequences of his actions.

Before the events of October 7, 2023, Netanyahu enjoyed a period of political success. His diplomatic efforts aimed at the Global South had begun to break decades of Israeli isolation. His ability to gain international recognition without incurring significant political costs bolstered his popularity domestically, leading to repeated electoral victories.

His latest coalition, composed of extreme right-wing parties, secured a solid majority in the Knesset, facing minimal opposition. These extremist factions aimed to transform Israel’s internal landscape and reconfigure regional dynamics, backed by unwavering support from the United States.

However, the catastrophic failures that unfolded on and after October 7 exposed Netanyahu’s shortcomings as a leader. The ensuing crisis generated worldwide outrage, driven by Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths and injuries of over 160,000 individuals, primarily women and children, over the span of 15 months.

Netanyahu’s reputation took a further hit when the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him on November 21, 2024. Simultaneously, Israel faced scrutiny from the International Court of Justice concerning allegations of genocide, underscoring the severe consequences of its military actions.

Despite these setbacks, Netanyahu has doubled down on his military approach. He remains committed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, maintains a military presence in Lebanon, and continues extensive bombing campaigns in Syria. However, these actions have not yielded the desired outcomes for Israel’s strategic objectives, resulting in substantial losses and deepening divisions among political and military officials.

As Israel’s vulnerabilities become more apparent, Netanyahu and his allies have escalated threats not only against Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria but also against Egypt. Remarkably, Egypt, which has played a mediating role in ceasefire discussions, has become a primary target in Israel’s strategy, which seemingly aims to forcibly relocate Gaza’s population into the Sinai Desert.

The question arises: how did this shift occur?

Egypt initially had little involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, as the violence escalated and the prospect of a decisive victory faded, Israeli officials began to blame Egypt, despite its peace treaty with Israel.

Key developments include:

• The suggestion by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to take control of the Philadelphi corridor, which connects Rafah in Gaza to Egypt.
• Accusations from Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, that Egypt is complicit in arming Hamas or failing to prevent weapon transfers to Palestinian groups.
• Claims of an Egyptian military threat, alleging troop mobilization along the border with Israel.

The initial intention of involving Egypt in the conflict served to distract from Israel’s military failures. However, this tactic evolved into a narrative that shifted blame onto Egypt for Israel’s inability to achieve its goals in Gaza.

Netanyahu has managed to draw Egypt into the discourse surrounding Gaza, partially due to previous U.S. proposals advocating for the displacement of Palestinians. This has allowed Netanyahu to perceive a potential American endorsement of relocating Israel’s challenges elsewhere.

Even Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has utilized Egypt as a diversion from his own political shortcomings, suggesting that Cairo should oversee Gaza for a period.

While Palestinian and Arab reactions to Israel’s ethnic cleansing proposals have been overwhelmingly negative, it is crucial to recognize that historically, Israel has never sought permission to displace Palestinians. This pattern has persisted since the 1948 Nakba and continues today. The pressure on Arab nations to acquiesce to Israel’s plans starkly illustrates the depth of Israel’s current vulnerabilities.

In summary, despite Netanyahu’s tough rhetoric and threats, Israel finds itself in a precarious position, more vulnerable than at any time in its history. The ongoing conflict has illuminated the reality that Israel is resorting to blaming Arab nations to conceal its own weaknesses. As Netanyahu’s political maneuvers continue, they reveal more than ever the precariousness of Israel’s standing in the region.

Ramzy Baroud is a journalist and the editor of the Palestine Chronicle.

Source: Middle East Monitor