Amjad Iraqi, a Palestinian writer, discusses Israel's assault on Gaza and the future of the territory. They explore Israel's goal to eliminate Hamas, the concept of liberal Zionism, and the illusion of a viable Palestinian state. The podcast also analyzes the potential outcomes of defeating Hamas, Israel's objectives in the conflict, and the prospects of escalation and uncertainty. Additionally, they discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu's precarious position and the urgent need for rectification in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel aims to weaken Hamas and potentially recarve Gaza, encroaching further into the strip.
The two-state solution advocated by the international community has long been unattainable, with a system of inequality and discrimination against Palestinians in Israel.
Regional escalation is a concern, with the potential involvement of Hezbollah and the precarious position of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Deep dives
Israel's Objectives in Gaza
Israel's military operation in Gaza has three phases: to defeat Hamas, wipe out pockets of resistance, and create a new security regime. However, completely destroying Hamas and its political movement is unlikely due to its transnational nature. Israel aims to weaken and potentially recarve Gaza, creating a buffer zone and encroaching further into the strip. The Israeli government wants to eliminate the Gaza Strip due to its historical challenge to Israeli security and identity, regardless of who is in power.
Potential Outcomes for Gaza
Israel may settle for significant degradation of Hamas's offensive capabilities and permanent control of a depopulated northern Gaza. This could involve creating an expanded security architecture in the border region. It is also possible that Israel will attempt to redefine the Gaza fence and further restrict the population by enforcing buffer zones and potentially establishing Israeli settlements in the strip. The outcome depends on multiple factors, including geopolitical dynamics and internal Israeli political divisions.
The Two-State Solution and Palestinian Citizens of Israel
The two-state solution advocated by the international community, with a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, has long been unattainable. The reality is a system of inequality, with an extensive legal infrastructure that inherently makes Palestinian citizens unequal to Jewish citizens in Israel. Palestinian citizens have faced discrimination, military rule, and ongoing land confiscation, while laws and policies target their expression of Palestinian identity. Reconciling the conflict would require challenging Israeli supremacy and recalibrating power dynamics before changing opinions and achieving equality and justice.
Regional escalation and Hezbollah's position
The podcast delves into the potential for regional escalation and the role of Hezbollah. The speaker highlights the tense and precarious situation, with the fear of how Iran and Hezbollah might respond to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While Hezbollah has not directly involved itself beyond skirmishes in the north, there is a sense that all it takes is one moment for the situation to escalate further. It is emphasized that Hezbollah views this primarily as a Hamas fight, but they are ready for deterrence and are presenting themselves as a deterrent.
Netanyahu's position and the Israeli left
The podcast addresses the position of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli left. It is noted that Netanyahu's position is precarious, as there is widespread criticism of his failure to predict and respond effectively to Hamas's operation. The podcast also highlights that even within the Biden administration, there have been anonymous briefings suggesting that Netanyahu's time in power may be limited. Regarding the Israeli left, it is stated that the Zionist left is not a political force within Israel itself. Israeli politics has shifted significantly to the right, eroding the space for a more liberal Zionist left. The podcast suggests that the only real opposition to the right-wing government comes from Palestinian citizens of Israel, who advocate for equality and an end to the occupation.
Palestinian writer Amjad Iraqi joins the show to talk about where Israel's assault on Gaza is going. We talked about Israel's professed goal to wipe out Hamas in the Gaza strip and what Israel intends to do with the territory and its population after the end of Operation Iron Swords. We also discussed how seriously to take the statements of Western governments who profess to support a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, and we spoke about how liberal Zionism is a phenomenon that exists more in the minds of western policy makers, and liberal journalists, than it does in Israel itself.
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