Israel: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Israel is remarkable. I visited there with a Chicago Council on Global Affairs Study Mission in 2018. I have also done a deep dive reading wise on the creation of the Israeli state and the philosophical basis for Zionism. I am a believer in the legitimacy of the nation and am extraordinarily impressed with the country’s energy, determination and resilience. Since its formation in 1948, it has survived wars, terrorist attacks and international ostracism. The brutal Hamas attack of October 7, 2023 again tested Israel and their aggressive response has confirmed their commitment to facing down and defeating hostile neighbours. We have previously recognised the intelligence bravado of Mossad and the military proficiency of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran have been decimated, decapitated and humiliated on the battlefield. Israel has never stood stronger on the world’s most volatile region- the Mideast.

Israel’s compelling track record extends beyond its ruthlessly efficient national security apparatus. This is society on the move- carving out advances on the critical benchmarks for a successful 21st century nation-state. It is a global leader in innovation and development. It spends a higher percentage of its GDP on STEM research than any other country in the world. It has produced numerous Nobel Prize winners in the sciences and has made breakthrough contributions in medical technology, agricultural innovation, water desalination and cybersecurity. Israeli universities like Technion, Hebrew University and the Weizmann Institute are world class. The country has become synonymous with engineering excellence, particularly in defence technologies, aerospace and precision manufacturing. Israel developed the Iron Dome missile defence system and is in the vanguard of advanced drone technology. Israel is known as the “Start Up” nation with new ventures in machine learning, autonomous vehicles and computer vision. Economic growth has been good and they have successfully transitioned from an agricultural based economy to a knowledge based economy. We are talking about a tiny country with only 7 million people. Astounding, staggeringly capable. I am a sincere admirer.

Israel’s strengths also provide a strong foundation for a great future. The regional potential is enormous, particularly if Israel and Saudi Arabia make peace. Israel’s research, science and engineering ecosystem combined with the Saudis abundant capital and energy resources would make a formidable partnership. A game changer for the region. The Abraham Accords with the UAE and Bahrain have already paid dividends and adding Saudi Arabia to the mix would provide opportunities to accelerate development in renewable energies, smart cities, biotechnology and digital infrastructure. As on pundit put it, “The deserts would bloom!”

Alas, a formidable obstacle remains- 7 million Palestinians residing on the same tiny geographic footprint with 7 million Israelis. There are 2 millions Palestinian citizens of Israel, 3 million in the West Bank and 2 million in Gaza. The Saudis have made clear that the pathway to diplomatic relations with Israel is tangible evidence that Israel will support a credible plan for Palestinian statehood. Unfortunately, this is where Dr Jekyll enters the picture. The creativity and imagination associated with Israeli society generally is woefully absent when it comes to the Palestinian question. They are frozen. There is no coherent, publicly articulated long term plan for the political status of the Palestinian population. Israel wants Hamas to surrender and give up power in Gaza. GREAT!! What is missing is Israel proposing a governance plan for post Hamas Gaza. A deathly silence. In terms of the West Bank, the current political leadership rejects the Oslo parameters, but never replaced it with Plan B. The two state solution is on its last legs, but there is no alternative framework on the table that would protect Israel’s security interests and accommodate Palestinian nationalist aspirations. Israel may choose to muddle through with the status quo. Another option is to annex the West Bank, as right wing settlers are demanding, but then you would have 3 million more Arabs in Israel proper. Either you give them full political rights which is inconsistent with the concept of a “Jewish State" or you deny them political rights and setup a system that is basically apartheid. Not attractive options.

The Gaza conflict is also creating severe reputational challenges for Israel. Everyone (sane people at least) acknowledge that Israel had a right to respond militarily to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. The reality is the nature of the response in undermining Israel’s global legitimacy. There are 60,000 dead Palestinians, the majority are civilians and many are women and children. Human Rights Watch, an organization which I actively support because of their professionalism and fact driven research has issued multiple reports that are critical of Israel’s behaviour in Gaza. The Israeli government hates HRW, but the reporting is powerful and credible and endorsed by many other international human rights groups. They cite Israel for indiscriminate air strikes leading to civilian casualties disproportionate to any legitimate military objective. There have been airstrikes on schools, hospitals and residential buildings. There are numerous examples of heavy explosives being deployed in densely populated urban areas. The Israelis dispute these conclusions and blame Hamas for using civilians as human shields. Of course they do- they are barbaric. But international law still requires due care in targeting and 100 civilian dead in a building in order to kill 1-2 Hamas members is de facto disproportionate. There have also been involuntary population transfers of Palestinian civilians. Forced displacement is a war crime under international law. Israel has placed heavy restrictions on water, electricity and fuel supplies entering Gaza and eliminating essential services is also problematic under humans rights standards. There are also documented reports, growing in intensity, of Israel arbitrarily restricting the entry of humanitarian aid in to Gaza. Restricted materials include medicine and FOOD. The “famine” crisis is exploding on front pages of newspapers all over the world and Israel’s actions are being described as collective punishment which is prohibited even in wartime. The West Bank is experiencing increased Israeli settlement activity and there are continuing reports of settler violence against Palestinian civilians. It is so bad that the United States and EU have imposed sanctions against settlers and settler outposts. Israeli zealots are increasingly vocal about their demands for Israel annexation of Judea and Samaria (the Israeli version of From River to Sea.) It is a rather ugly picture. Israel is defensive and I emphasise that the most outrageous charges against them should be dismissed or placed in perspective. This is not a “genocide” against the Palestinian people. Hamas is primarily at fault because they started this round of violence. Hamas does engage in tactics that put their own civilians at risk, but Israel has flirted with stepping over the line, particularly with the food restriction policy.

Israel’s short term tactics and absence of a long term Palestinian strategy is worrisome. The “brilliant” and “dynamic” society described above is “lost” and “befuddled” on the end game. here. Can a people be gifted and self destructive simultaneously? At minimum, the Israeli genius may be afflicted by periodic blindness. Hopefully, wiser heads will ascend to political leadership in Israel.

There is another explanation for Israeli behaviour which is much darker. Israel is not paralysed or confused. Instead, there is a plan and the current favourable military environment provides an opportunity to accelerate its implementation. Baldly stated, the two state solution is dead, Iran is on its heels and why not annex the West Bank and Gaza now. Of course, population expulsions of the Palestinian Arabs would need to follow for the Greater Israel to flourish. Oh you say, that cant be true!! I will share some quotes suggesting that vision may not just be a fantasy of the “crazies.” Benjamin Netanyahu, the master of Israeli politics and its longest serving Prime Minister recently authored his autobiography. It is a good read- interesting on multiple levels. Netanyahu is brilliant, arrogant, a holder of strong views who is very impatient with those who may challenge him. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly and admits to only one life and political mentor- his father Benzion. His father was a determined Zionist and intense intellectual with very transparent opinions on the Palestinian question. In 2006, Benzion Netanyahu stated, “We should take the Gaza Strip. We should conquer all disputed territory in the land of Israel. We should conquer it and hold it, even if it brings years of war.” In his 2003 book on the history of Zionism, Benzion advocated for the relocation of Palestinian Arabs to Jordan, Iraq, Syria or Saudi Arabia. He explained, “The Arabs wont be able to face war with us. The war will include withholding food from Arab cities, preventing education and terminating electrical power. They wont be able to exist and will run away from here.” In view of recent events, a bit chilling.

Current Israeli cabinet minsters certainly embrace Benzion Netanyahu’s vision. The current National Security Chief, Sharon Ben Guir shared his views publicly. “No negotiations. Occupy area after area. War until the end. Encourage emigration. No food aid. At this stage, the only thing we should be sending to Gaza are shells and bombs- the best way to conquer our enemies and encourage their emigration. Win the war!” Daniela Weiss, a leader of the settler movement is even more specific. “They will move. The Arabs will move. We want our hostages back so we don’t give them any food. We don’t give the Arabs anything. They will have to leave the Land of Israel. The world will accept them.” WOW!

We are told these voices are not representative of the official Israeli view. Unfortunately, the government has not set forth any alternative plan and Netanyahu can only stay in power if these rightists remain in his coalition. The total defeat of Hamas policy could evolve an “expulsion” policy. I reject this expansionist state vision. The Israel of 1948- the Mr Hyde in this narrative, must prevail over Dr Jekyll. Lives depend on it. Israel is the “power” now and absolute power can corrupt. Wiser heads must step forward!