Here’s a detailed overview of Zvi Bar El’s article in Haaretz, with key points and highlighted words:
Title: "This Isn't Our War: Israel Is Waging a Far-right Offensive to Expel Gazans"
Subtitle: "The day after? Now it's 'the day after,' and the war's sole purpose is to fulfill the political bribe Netanyahu offered the criminal gang ensuring his hold on power."
Key Points & Highlights:
1. "This Isn't Our War" – Bar El argues that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza no longer serves national defense but has been hijacked by far-right political agendas.
2. "Far-right Offensive to Expel Gazans" – The article claims the war’s true objective is the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, driven by extremist factions in Netanyahu’s government (e.g., Smotrich, Ben-Gvir).
3. "Political Bribe" – Netanyahu is accused of sacrificing strategic interests to appease his far-right coalition partners, who demand territorial expansion and population transfer.
4. "Criminal Gang" – A scathing reference to Netanyahu’s allies, suggesting they are corrupt and authoritarian, prioritizing political survival over Israel’s security.
5. "The Day After" – Originally a phrase about post-war planning, Bar El mocks its misuse, arguing that Netanyahu’s government has no viable plan except perpetual war and annexation.
6. Criticism of Netanyahu– The PM is portrayed as weak and dependent on extremists, using the war to delay legal troubles (his corruption trials) and stay in power.
7. Moral & Strategic Failure – The article condemns the war as ethically unjustifiable and strategically disastrous, alienating allies and radicalizing future generations.
Highlighted Words/Phrases:
- "Far-right offensive"
- "Expel Gazans" (ethnic cleansing implication)
- "Political bribe" (Netanyahu’s deal with extremists)
- "Criminal gang" (ultra-nationalist coalition partners)
- "The day after" (empty rhetoric, no real plan)
- "Not our war" (disowning the government’s motives)
Conclusion:
Bar El’s piece is a fierce condemnation of Netanyahu’s governance, framing the Gaza war as a cynical, far-right project rather than a legitimate defense effort. It warns of damage to Israel’s democracy and global standing.
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