"If you want peace, prepare for war," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quoted the Roman writer Vegetius in an interview with TIME Magazine. The writer continues in that same passage, "He who aspires to victory, should spare no pains to form his soldiers… No one dares to offend or insult a power of known superiority in action. Well, it seems we weren't prepared for war, and the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist organizations aren't exactly intimidated by our might. For ten months now, we've been dancing to the tune of their war drums.
The prime minister is neither pursuing peace nor using the tools of war and its casualties to achieve the desired goal. In the same interview, he talks about continuing the war, doesn't commit to a date for a deal to return the hostages or for northern residents to return to their homes, and says he's committed to destroying Hamas so it can't rebuild itself. To ensure this, "I insist on control, continued control of the Philadelphi corridor between Egypt, between the Sinai and Gaza." Four months ago, Netanyahu said we were a step away from total victory. Meanwhile, the numbers keep piling up. In the 309 days of war, 689 soldiers have been killed, and 4,252 fighters have been wounded. Some 115 Israeli civilians are still held captive by Hamas with no prospect of release. This isn't collateral or necessary damage. It's unnecessary damage.
His memory is failing, and he refuses not only to take responsibility but even to apologize. He merely expressed regret for what happened on the day of the massacre. As if he were from the United Nations and not the architect of the concept that advocated transferring millions of dollars to Gaza, which found their way into the hands of Hamas as it grew stronger. Netanyahu understands that the moment he takes responsibility, he'll have to go along with the IDF chief of staff and others responsible for the failure.
His memory isn't what it used to be either. When asked about the coalition partnership with Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Netanyahu replied, "All Israeli governments have been based in parliamentary systems [and] are based on coalitions. Everyone's done it. Previous governments even made a coalition with a party that is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood and rejects the very survival of Israel. I didn't hear any criticism about that."
He was referring, for those who didn't get it, to Ra'am party chairman Mansour Abbas. The same Abbas who testified that Netanyahu met with him several times at the residence in Balfour to gain his support for his government. The same MK who publicly recognized Israel's right to exist and expressed a desire to integrate for the benefit of future generations. And exactly the same party that cooperates with the current coalition in passing laws. But this isn't surprising, especially when reading the response of his spokesperson, Jonathan Urich, to Shikma Bressler, who tweeted the other day, "Netanyahu can't be expected to tell the truth about anything. He can't be expected to take responsibility for anything. The same goes for the group of Kahanists he's put at the wheel. We need to create a situation that leaves them no choice but to go." Urich responded: "Hi Shikma, an idea can't 'go'. It will lead and remain long after you."
With a stroke of the keyboard, Netanyahu and his rule have become an idea. No less. And we know of several appalling ideas in human history, and this is where it starts to get scary.
And if he's an idea, he's allowed to change the law so he can appoint the next Civil Service commissioner, who will essentially be Netanyahu's service commissioner. And it's okay to sneak his son onto the prime minister's plane. And also not to instruct the justice minister to appoint a president to the Supreme Court, and a host of other examples. But when you're an idea, you're omnipotent. And the idea, as Urich said, isn't going anywhere. Get used to it.
