https://arab.news/mf6vh
When the international community expressed its outrage at Israel’s attack on Doha this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not adopt a conciliatory position with regards to Qatar, the mediator that could bring about the release of the hostages in Gaza. On the contrary, he doubled down on his belligerent position and stated that further strikes will target any country that hosts Hamas leaders.
Also, faced with Western states’ recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly this week, he is showing even more arrogance and defiance by threatening to annex the West Bank. However, as unlikely as it may seem, Israeli arrogance and belligerence may offer a ray of light for the Palestinians.
As much as our hearts weep for Palestine and Gaza, we need to be realistic. States act only when they are threatened. States are rational actors; they do not act for a cause. They act when their security is at stake. Causes are usually used to sell the fight to the masses. Though there is a genocide, states will not mobilize to defend the Palestinians if this mobilization is likely to incur risks for themselves. Any mobilization to help the Palestinians would incur big risks. No one wants to upset the US, the world’s superpower. For now, despite growing popular discontent, America’s policy position has not changed: unwavering support for Israel.
