This piece was originally supposed to go to press right after the war. I wanted to wait until we could truly mourn the dead and lament the loss of the thousands that have left our midst; until we could finally hear silence instead of sirens; until the IDF reservists who had been called up would be back home; and until our lungs could take in more air and our society could reel and lick it wounds.
Video: Netanyahu to ABC: 'No ceasefire' without hostage release / Credit: Reuters
Wartime is usually not the right time to render verdicts; when the cannons are heard, the muses are silent, the old adage says. This is generally correct because the challenges are immense and the fighting is still ongoing; thus all other matters should be shoved aside. The fighters need to feel that the people have their back, that we have unity, and that the home front hugs them. The love and solidarity Israelis have shown since that terrible Shabbat is one of a kind.
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Having said all that, something happened two days ago that broke the camel's back: It had become apparent that while all of us were rising above our anger and disputes, there was one entity that continued engaging in sparring and divisions. It is perhaps time to say it loud and clear: No more; stop with this.
Had it been just a one-off tweet or a statement that reopens wounds, an apology would suffice and we would move on. "He apologized; he made a gaffe; we are at war and we must keep a stiff upper lip," people said after the first time. But then it just continued: another controversial statement, another accusation, another clarification, and another apology, and we are back to square one. Instead of having everyone rise above the fray during this critical period, we see political mudslinging.
The non-stop political bickering while the war is raging; the jockeying for positions in the post-war reality; the cabinet ministers blurting out incendiary and inciting rhetoric only to be reprimanded and then doing it all over again as if nothing had happened all in the name of political survival. And I haven't even mentioned the lack of responsibility on their part.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is focused on the war, no doubt, but Bibi Netanyahu is focused on saving his skin. He looks at his predicament and thinks about the day after the war while prosecuting it; he is thinking about the ways to preserve his governing Coalition, stay in power, and keep his political viability over the years.
Perhaps it is because of the people around him – political advisors, communication advisers, close associates – and the lack of real contact with the average Israeli. He has been shielded from the undercurrents that have been simmering with indescribable rage and agony across the board.
We are going to win the war because we are an incredible people; we all know we have no other place to go, and that is why we will emerge victorious. The real concern is what happens after the war. It is clear that Netanyahu will not throw in the towel – unlike the IDF senior brass, the intelligence officials, and practically everyone else who is responsible for the Oct. 7 debacle. Every statement that he utters is designed to lay the groundwork for him staying in power; every gaffe and the apology that immediately follows.
I dread the prospect of Israel having won the war in Gaza only to lose its collective solidarity as a nation; I fear the chaos that will reign here – which will make the judicial reform protests pale in comparison.
We have already seen what such domestic strife causes – it makes everyone lose. I believe that deep inside, Netanyahu is a patriot, but there is no one around him to tell him the following: "It's game over; you will not be able to continue in the war's aftermath; you should lead Israel to victory – but then step down; stop throwing blame all around, take responsibility and accept that the buck stops with you, as the leader who has been in charge for the past 14 years. It's over, step down and exit stage right once the war is behind us."
But it won't happen; all the signs point to that. Therefore, maybe it's time to think out loud rather than in a whisper: Benjamin Netanyahu needs to go as soon as possible.
