Israel is like a more extreme version of Poland

I’ve been reading up on the news about IDF bases being stormed and – as an outsider looking at these developments from thousands of miles away – I can see parallels with what happened in Poland after soldiers were detained for firing warning shots at migrants, sparking controversy. Just controversy, though, no storming of military bases. That’s hardcore level instability.

Now, we don’t have nearly as much experience with walls and missiles here but there are similarities. Russia is bringing migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. They then travel to Belarus and are encouraged, maybe even pushed, to cross the border with Poland. They hurl objects, too. A Polish soldier died. Missiles do fly around from time to time, too. Overall, not a good picture.

Now, storming an army barracks hasn’t happened here and it’s highly unlikely to happen. To me, what’s happening in Israel must be making Hezbollah, Iran and others really happy. It’s like an exercise in self-sabotage. The timing couldn’t be worse for Israel.

A lot of people outside of Israel aren’t even aware that there are so many groups of varying degrees of extremism in Israel.

To someone who doesn’t know any better, Israel is just this monolith – the Jewish State. Yet, there are so many similarities between Israel and Poland. I mean, we’re a monolith compared to Israel, a boring monolith one might say, but it doesn’t mean there are no deep ideological and political divisions.

Both polarized, with governments that don’t seem to be fully in control of all these crises. Now, I’m not trying to be a smart Alec here, just pointing out the parallels. We’re in really hard times and containing the mess around us is virtually impossible. We’d need Solomon the Wise to do it, sadly, our politicians aren’t exactly on his level of competence and intelligence.

Your situation is much worse, because storming army bases is like giving your enemy a win on a silver platter. I used to think Israelis are rational and organized, but now I see, in some cases, you’re just like us. Not a compliment. That’s not a good sign for a nation in such a precarious geopolitical position as Israel.

Let the Polish case of political violence serve as a warning. Gdańsk mayor was stabbed on stage during a charity event in 2019. People were watching and didn’t even register what was happening.

If Israeli politics continues to spiral out of control, expect similar things to happen. And then, Hezbollah won’t need to fire a shot. All your enemies will need is popcorn as they watch you implode and stoke tensions – both internally and internationally. It’s like the perfect storm for Israel’s enemies. Hopefully, you’re smarter than that and you won’t let your state implode.