Netanyahu's actions suggest he isn't interested in peace

One year on from the invasion led by Hamas terrorists that has been called the greatest trauma in Israel's history, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, Benjamin Netanyahu's government claims sudden success.

- BRONWEN MADDOX

For much of the past year, it has been accused by Israelis of failing to defeat Hamas, capture its leaders or return the hostages. The 7 October attacks left the reputation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the intelligence agencies in tatters. Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza, which has led to the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians, has shredded its international reputation.

In just two weeks, Israel has killed the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, destroyed the communications network of the group, and now, sent forces into southern Lebanon. Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate for Iran’s missile strikes on 1 October (which were, in turn, retaliation for the assassination of Nasrallah).

Most important, perhaps, is the fact that Netanyahu has extracted a change of tone from the US. The Biden administration had steadily called on Israel to show restraint over Lebanon and was pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza. In contrast, this week it pledged to back Israel in exacting “severe consequences” on Iran for the missile strikes.

Netanyahu’s belligerent speech to the United Nations last week, to an almost empty chamber (many countries having walked out), led diplomats to ask whether he was preparing the ground for an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The prime minister has long called Tehran’s nuclear programme an intolerable threat. The US said that it did not back such strikes (many doubt they would impede the programme) but it would support further sanctions against Tehran.

However, Netanyahu and his government have shown no interest in a wider strategy in which Israel does not just survive by beating back threats, but thrives through better relations with its neighbours. His government has vowed not to pursue a twostate solution with the Palestinians, and it has shown no interest in talks to normalise relations with Saudi Arabia.