Today, the massacre is glorified, and there is no shame in killing the elderly and children. The righteous among the Jews who oppose are mocked and threatened. And the prime minister arrogantly announces this in the UN Assembly, the same body that in 1947 voted for the creation of Israel.
By Anna FOA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN, to a half-empty hall where most delegates left their seats, best reflects the isolation that Israel has achieved in recent months due to his government’s policy, marking an unprecedented border between Israel and the rest of the world, including Europe. This is a big change compared to a few months ago, when Netanyahu gave a speech at the UN Assembly talking about a “swamp of anti-Semitism.”
Now, the European countries that have recognized the Palestinian state for “Bibi” (a nickname for Netanyahu), are all anti-Semitic. Although this term was not used directly, the accusations of supporting Hamas clearly imply a terrorist and pro-Hamas Europe.
The accusations of anti-Semitism that Israel is making against those who do not support the destruction of the Palestinians, the constant attacks on the Palestinians of the West Bank and the threat of annexation of the same area go hand in hand with the denial of reality in Gaza, where according to the Israeli prime minister, hunger does not exist, and if it does, it is Hamas’s fault. “The indiscriminate killing of civilians is a lie,” he added, responding to the accusations of genocide. The same logic was applied to the catastrophe against the Jews during the years 1939-1945. Now, the evidence is clear, with the ruins of cities and the dead bodies under them… But the intention is denied, how can it be considered genocide when people are warned before they are shot?!
“We will finish the job,” the Israeli prime minister added. A job that has caused over 60 deaths, mostly civilians, the destruction of most of the Gaza Strip, but not the destruction of Hamas or the release of hostages. Just a few days ago, Netanyahu’s most extremist minister, Bezalel Smotrich, who believes that killing Palestinians will hasten the coming of the Messiah, offered himself as “the executioner to finish this job.” And once this is done, will Greater Israel be proclaimed over the land promised by God?!
It is shocking to see how Zionism, which, although never perfect, has eroded people and ideologies, has eroded. What do people like Netanyahu have in common with Martin Buber, Gershom Scholem, or those who wanted reconciliation with the Palestinians in the creation of the state? Even Begin resigned after the massacre of Sabra and Chatila, in which the Israelis were not directly involved. Today, the massacre is glorified, and there is no shame in killing the elderly and children. The righteous among Jews who oppose it are mocked and threatened. And the prime minister arrogantly announces this in the UN Assembly, the same body that in 1947 voted for the creation of Israel.
All these months have opened a deep gap between Israel and the rest of the world.
This is the message of the speech of a head of state that many consider a war criminal. His speech on the destroyed Gaza, as a challenge to the UN and a glorification of strength… Is it all propaganda? Perhaps, a message to Trump and to extremists within the country. But in the meantime, as the Palestinians are dying, Israel is isolated from the world and this has unimaginable consequences for domestic democracy. Therefore, the predicted death of the Palestinians could also mark the end of the Jewish world, of the Jews of the Diaspora and of Israel.
