Arabic version: الصراعات المستمرة في إسرائيل تعكس انقسامات سياسية واجتماعية عميقة
Less than a week after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington brought the stuttering, three-month-long US-Israel war on Iran to a close – for now – a recent poll revealed that 92 percent of Israelis believe the US has compromised their victory over a decades-old enemy. Almost half of those surveyed indicated that Israel should persist in its attacks on Lebanon and the pro-Iran group Hezbollah, disregarding the appeals from Washington, its principal ally and sponsor. According to Al Jazeera,
Since the surprise Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people, Israel has engaged in continuous military actions across the region. The conflict has led to significant casualties, including over 73,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza, extensive destruction of the territory, and military operations against Iran, Hezbollah, and even the Houthis in Yemen. Within Israel’s parliament, support for military actions remains a rare point of consensus, despite differing views on their execution.
Prominent political figures have voiced their support for ongoing military efforts. Gadi Eisenkot, a former chief of staff and potential successor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labeled the strikes on Iran as “the most just war in recent decades.” Opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the US decision to negotiate with Tehran as a significant failure of Israel’s foreign policy.
Israeli sociologist Daniel Bar-Tal noted that the reaction reflects a long-standing narrative within Israeli society, linking the events of October 7 to the broader historical trauma of the Holocaust. This perspective has fostered a sense of collective victimhood and a glorified view of Israel’s national goals, which influences public support for military actions.
Despite nearly three years of continuous conflict, many Israelis do not feel significantly safer. Hamas continues to control substantial areas in Gaza, and the Iranian regime remains intact, contrary to earlier expectations of its imminent collapse. Analysts suggest that the ongoing wars are driven by both immediate threats and a deeper psychological need stemming from trauma. With elections approaching, Netanyahu faces pressure from his political rivals, yet none have proposed a viable alternative to the current military strategies. The prevailing belief among Israeli leaders is that any potential threat must be eliminated preemptively, reinforcing the cycle of conflict that shows little sign of resolution.
