Netanyahu’s irresponsibility and recklessness is endangering Israel

In recent weeks, it has become very clear that Prime Minister Netanyahu has gone completely crazy. Despite the advice of the entire security cabinet, he cannot allow himself to end the war in Gaza, thus ending the war in the north, and bringing all the hostages home (the dead ones and especially those who are still alive).

It was been widely reported here in Israel that the leaders of the IDF and Mossad and the General Security Services want a deal now, but Bibi clearly does not! He has torpedoed a possible deal many times, including lately.

Many people in Israel, including myself, are extremely worried about the foolishness, recklessness and irresponsibility of this government and especially its “leader.” He is getting “Trumpier” – more detached and unhinged, every day.

A few days ago, it was reported that he yelled crazily at all the heads of the security establishment who were pushing him to go for a deal now, and he said absolutely wild things, which were released verbatim in the media. It was also reported that he wants to fire most of them, including the Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, with whom he has not been getting along for months, due to major disagreements about many things, including the urgent need to reach a deal to redeem the hostages.

In addition, Netanyahu ordered two recent targeted assassinations – one in Beirut for which Israel has taken credit and one in Iran, according to foreign media sources – which have now put all Israeli citizens in terrible danger. The second one, which Israel has not taken credit for, assassinated the main negotiator for Hamas in the talks over the last 10 months to release the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. It appears that this was also a targeted assassination of the talks for a deal.

Since last week, we are waiting for a major attack from Iran (and maybe Hezbollah and the Houthis too! The government and the news media are scaring us with possible electricity blackouts, airport chaos (many airlines have already cancelled their flights), major attacks on our army bases and cities, including Haifa and Tel Aviv (in Jerusalem, we have the Al Aqsa Mosque, so it is unlikely that the Shi’ites will shoot missiles to Jerusalem, and 40% of the population of Jerusalem is Palestinian Arab).

The maniacs who are in charge of the current Israeli government (the lunatics have taken over the asylum!) have assassinated the hostage deal, and they are holding the whole country hostage to their military adventures, which only lead to more and more violence and destruction, more hatred and despair, more terrorism and revenge. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran are all promising massive revenge for the irresponsible and downright stupid acts of this government!

Israel is on “high alert” for the past few days, and people are very anxious and for good reason. It is a period of intense waiting, reminiscent of the weeks of waiting before the Six Day War, in May of 1967.

In addition to all this, it is quite clear that the president of the USA is fed up with him, and rightly so, given Bibi’s lies and retractions about his commitment to a deal to get our hostages back and reach a cease-fire. It seems that Bibi lied to Biden, as he lies to the Israeli public every day. Nevertheless, it appears that the American administration will come to our aid again with air defenses, as it did in April of this year, during the last attack from Iran. We will see in the days ahead.

Why does our prime minister pursue his reckless path of war and more war, despite the good advice of just about everyone?

The answer: he wants to stay in power!

He is beholden to the extreme right-wing parties in his coalition who have made it very clear that they want perpetual war, annexation, re-occupation of Gaza (and Southern Lebanon) and much more. He has bought their line that a deal – which would include a cease-fire and release of many Palestinian prisoners in exchange for release of the hostages held by Hamas – would be “surrender” and he can’t stomach this idea. And, something has happened to him psychologically, whereby he is no longer thinking rationally, like he used to (a long time ago).

In short, we are in a very precarious situation right now due to his irresponsibility and recklessness. And we are stuck with this wily Machiavellian political leader for the time being, which is causing great frustration and despair among most of the citizens of Israel, including myself.

Somehow, we will have to persevere and live through this, like Americans lived through four years of Trump. But ultimately, Bibi has to go. The sooner the better, for the sake of our survival here.