The Israeli PM is now just one part of a unity government and a society united in the imperative of defeating Hamas — regardless of Biden’s political needs.
The New York Times headlines a report today: “After 4 Months of War, Biden and Netanyahu Are on Different Timetables.” Since October 7, there’s been a major effort in the media-Democrat complex to make Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom the Left despises, the embodiment of Israel’s response to the war started by the Palestinians’ elected leadership, the jihadists of Hamas.
There is no reason to believe this is accurate.
The post-October 7 Israeli government is a unity government – as the Times itself has reported. It’s no longer the pre-October 7, Netanyahu-dominated version. In the unity government, Netanyahu shares power with his top opposition-party rival, Benny Gantz, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu does not singularly embody Israel, let alone its war effort. Prior to the Hamas atrocities, his push for judicial reform created deep rifts in Israeli society. Moreover, even Netanyahu’s supporters grasp that he is accountable for the unpreparedness of the security forces when the shocking attacks occurred nearly five months ago. And there is certainly no love lost between Netanyahu and Gantz.
With that said, though, all credible accounts indicate that Israel is united, across the political and societal spectra, in the conceits that the war must be prosecuted until Hamas is defeated and destroyed; that the always delusional “two-state solution” talk is dead; and that all the hostages who can be rescued must be rescued.
It is not just Netanyahu who is on a different timetable from President Biden. Israel is on a different timetable — one that prioritizes its own existence and that is indifferent to which American politician wins Michigan in the November presidential election.