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Letters | Why return of Netanyahu means the end of Israel as we know it
- Israel’s shift to the right is complete, and any reversal to the centre or left of centre very unlikely
- The newly elected right-wing government of Benjamin Netanyahu can take any measure of its choosing to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state
The result of the Israeli election has showed that the public’s movement to the right is now consolidated, and any reversal to the centre and left of centre is increasingly unlikely. This outcome should give serious pause to every Jew and friend of Israel, as the consequences for Israel’s future will be extremely dire. It will allow the newly elected right-wing government led by Benjamin Netanyahu to take any measure of its choosing to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. This will further undermine Israel’s democratic and Jewish foundation, and put the country on the fast track to self-destruction, obliterating the face of Israel as we know it.
To begin with, there has been a steady and nearly unequivocal support of the United States for successive governments throughout Israel’s existence. The US’ enablement of Israel, specifically over the last few decades, has allowed centrist and right-wing governments to undertake policies, in particular the building of new and the expansion of existing settlements, that run contrary to any prospective Israeli-Palestinian peace based on a two-state solution.
If there had been any small prospect of a two-state solution, it has now practically vanished completely under [Netanyahu’s] watch
In this regard, Donald Trump’s open-ended support of the Netanyahu government has severely and perilously undermined Israel’s future security and well-being, which ironically the Trump administration wants to shield.
The consequences of this election and the certainty of forming a right-wing government led by Netanyahu are hard to exaggerate. To start with, if there had been any small prospect of a two-state solution, it has now practically vanished completely under his watch. This in and of itself will further galvanise Palestinian extremism, which undoubtedly would lead to more frequent violence that could fuel long-term bloodshed between the two sides.
Dr. Alon Ben-Meir, professor, Centre for Global Affairs, NYU
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