Gideon Levy, an Israeli columnist, recently shared his insights on the ongoing conflict in Gaza during an interview with host Steve Clemons on Al Jazeera’s program “The Bottom Line.” Levy’s commentary has sparked discussion regarding the prevailing sentiments among Israelis and the implications of their government’s actions.
From start to finish, one point Levy made in that interview really stood out. An overwhelming 82 percent of Israelis believe that their country “should be allowed to do whatever it wants.” This dominant attitude is what fuels the American public’s response to Israel’s military maneuvers in Gaza. According to Levy, such beliefs persist regardless of which political party holds power in the United States or who leads Israel. He maintained that the basic public moods around the war have not shifted. This is true no matter if a Republican or Democratic administration is in Washington, D.C., or whether it’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the head of Israel.
Levy further voiced alarm over what lies in store for the Palestinians of Gaza. He announced plans for concentration camps for Palestinians. This is all part of a carefully coordinated, larger strategy to get rid of them. This claim undermines any moral justification Israel has claimed for its military and political goals in the region.
Levy focused on the fact that Israel’s policies in Gaza are considered war crimes. He thinks this disturbing trend demonstrates a misconception in how best to approach the challenging intricacies of the conflict. He stated, “The same war might have taken place, and the same crimes of war would have been committed.” He religiously disputes the tactics employed by the Israeli leadership, which in his mind perpetuates a cycle of death and destruction. What’s worse, there doesn’t appear to be any obvious remedy for the causes.
Levy’s critique is more trenchant than mere critique. He fervently contends that Israel is “clueless” about how to deal with what they should be doing in Gaza. This vacuum of leadership only fuels the ongoing cycle of violence that results in further loss and pain on both sides – for Israelis and Palestinians. His remarks challenge the status quo and call for a reevaluation of how both sides engage in this protracted conflict.
