Israel’s embrace of Trump’s Gaza plan is ‘atrocious, unthinkable and morally wrong’
Feb 13, 2025
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Aluf Benn, Editor-in-chief of Haaretz, discusses the alarming support for Donald Trump's Gaza plan among Israelis. He highlights how this plan, which threatens the displacement of nearly 2 million Palestinians, provides a political advantage to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Benn critiques the moral implications of this popularity, pointing out the dangerous alignment with far-right factions in Israel. They delve into the entwined political dynamics between Trump and Netanyahu, emphasizing the severe ramifications for both local and international relations.
The Israeli public's support for Trump's Gaza plan indicates a troubling normalization of extreme views on ethnic cleansing within society.
Netanyahu's political maneuvering reveals a strategic alignment with Trump’s rhetoric, using it to consolidate power and divert from domestic issues.
Deep dives
Hamas Hostage Crisis and Ceasefire Challenges
The recent announcement from Hamas to freeze the first stage of the hostage release deal has escalated tensions and cast doubt on the fragile ceasefire. Israeli leaders, including President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, have issued ultimatums demanding the return of all hostages by a specified deadline, warning that failure to comply would result in a return to intense conflict. This ultimatum has created a precarious situation, heightening fears among Israelis about those still held captive and compounding concerns over a potential breakdown of the ceasefire. The political maneuvering reflects the complex dynamics at play, where both Hamas and Israeli leaders appear to be testing the limits of the agreement amidst shifting power balances and conflicting narratives.
Trump's Influence on Netanyahu's Strategy
Donald Trump's recent statements regarding Gaza have significantly influenced Israeli political calculations, specifically reshaping Netanyahu's approach to the conflict. By proposing a vision of Gaza as a depopulated international resort, Trump has emboldened elements within Israeli society that support drastic measures against Palestinians, reflecting a normalization of extreme views. This shift in public opinion and policy has allowed Netanyahu to leverage Trump's political support while also navigating pressures from his right-wing coalition partners. The intertwining of Trump's rhetoric with Netanyahu’s foreign policy indicates a symbiotic relationship where American positions heavily dictate Israeli actions and aspirations.
Ethnic Cleansing and Political Underpinnings
The discourse surrounding Trump's plan for Gaza has sparked concerns about its implications for ethnic cleansing, with Trump's ideas gaining traction among segments of Israeli society. Notably, Netanyahu has positioned himself in a way that appears to align with Trump's vision, suggesting that he could use the plan as a political tool to consolidate power and divert attention from domestic issues. The increased acceptance of such policies among the Israeli public marks a stark shift from previous norms, raising the specter of a government unable or unwilling to push back against ideas previously deemed radical. This shift has critical ramifications for the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations, as the mainstreaming of these views may hinder any prospects for reconciliation or peace.
The enthusiastic reception among the Israeli public for Donald Trump's Gaza takeover plan - that includes emptying the Strip of almost 2 million Palestinians - has offered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political boost that he is likely to take full advantage of.
Haaretz editor-in-chief Aluf Benn said on the Haaretz Podcast that "very sadly, the transfer idea is extremely popular within Israeli Jewish society," though the fear of international condemnation was always there. Now, the fact that the American president himself put the idea of moving Palestinians out of Gaza on the table gives Netanyahu - and other Israelis - the ability to embrace the concept of ethnic cleansing openly.
