Amichai Magen, Director of the Program on Democratic Resilience & Development at Reichman University's Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy, and a Visiting Professor and Fellow in Israel Studies at the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, discusses the Hamas incursion into Israel, the aftermath of the security failure, and the evolving crisis following Israel's military response against Gaza. They also explore the implications for Israeli democracy, Netanyahu's future, and the challenges of achieving peace in the Middle East, all while delving into the moral complexities of the conflict.
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Quick takeaways
Israel faces a dilemma in responding to Hamas without causing significant civilian suffering.
The attack and subsequent military response hold implications for Israeli democracy and the political future of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Deep dives
Israel's response to Hamas attack in Gaza
Israel feels compelled to restore its deterrence and change the rules of the game in response to a surprise attack by Hamas. The attack resulted in the killing of over 1,000 innocent civilians, leading to a sense of outrage and a need for Israel to demonstrate competence and power. The attack also reveals the dangers of complacency and naivety in dealing with Hamas, along with potential complicity of Iran. The conflict could escalate into a multi-front regional confrontation involving Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies, posing challenges to Israel's security and requiring societal resilience.
The dilemma of responding to Hamas without causing civilian suffering
Israel faces a dilemma in responding to Hamas without causing significant civilian suffering. While the goal is to actively degrade and undermine Hamas's military and political capabilities, the densely populated nature of Gaza and the use of civilians as shields present challenges. Israel aims to dismantle rocket and weapon installations, as well as deny Hamas the capacity to continue producing weapons. However, achieving this while minimizing civilian casualties and international backlash remains a complex task.
Implications for Israeli democracy and Netanyahu's future
The attack and subsequent military response hold implications for Israeli democracy and the political future of Benjamin Netanyahu. The sense of deep anger towards Netanyahu's governance during a period of internal divisions raises questions about his ability to maintain trust and political accountability. The emergency government formed in response to the attack temporarily suspends controversial legislations and may lead to Netanyahu's potential exit from the political scene in the coming months.
Prospects for peace and stability in the Middle East
The outlook for a durable settlement or peace in the region appears challenging amidst the recent events. The attack highlights the difficulty of achieving a one-state solution or a viable Palestinian state at this time. However, there is a possibility for pragmatic and strategic alliances between Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations to counter Iranian proxies and promote stability. Preserving past gains, ensuring Palestinian dignity, and fostering regional cooperation remain crucial for prospects of peace and stability.
Amichai Magen is the director of the Program on Democratic Resilience & Development at Reichman University's Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy. He is a Visiting Professor and Fellow in Israel Studies at the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Amichai Magen discuss the Hamas incursion into Israel that is responsible for the greatest massacre of Jews since World War II; the prospects for Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in the aftermath of the greatest security failure in Israel’s history; and the evolving crisis following the start of Israel’s military response against Gaza.