Current Status
In May 2024, three European countries, Ireland, Norway and Spain, recognised the state of Palestine, and more countries are to follow.
This is a long-term setback to Israel’s policy of perpetual marginalisation of the Palestine question.
So, the war in Gaza remains unfinished and the crisis with Hezbollah is escalating.
Iran has put an end to Israel’s attacks on its officers, for now, and is expanding its nuclear programme.
The Houthis are keeping the Americans busy in the Red Sea.
Israel is facing international rebuke for the conduct of the war, while the Palestine issue is back centre stage.
Mr. Netanyahu wanted a strategic environment in which Israel’s primacy is reinforced, but he is getting one that is more hostile to Israel than it was before October 7.
There is no quick and easy way out of this mess which Mr. Netanyahu has led his country into.
Maybe that is why he keeps fighting because once the war is over, the spectres it has unleashed will come to haunt the Jewish state.
If the war continues without clear objectives, it will turn the strategic environment even more hostile. This is Israel’s dilemma.
No country can advance its interests permanently only through wars.
Israel’s leaders should have a comprehensive review of its strategies (if any) and tactics.
If Mr. Netanyahu is unable to do this, Israelis should start looking beyond him.
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