Examining Netanyahu's Reckoning Following the War: A Perilous Timeline?

It is time for Israelis to engage in negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Frida Ghitis

As the war against Hamas enters a new phase, Israeli military officials have announced plans to withdraw several brigades from Gaza. This will mark the beginning of a potentially lower intensity, more targeted fighting. With this shift in focus, Israelis can now address the urgent matter of the prime minister's failure in ensuring the safety of the country as his most important responsibility.

Israelis will be faced with tough decisions in the near future that will shape the future of their country. These decisions will require a leader with widespread popular support, trust, and legitimacy to unite the people and instill confidence. Numerous polls indicate that Netanyahu does not fit this criteria.

Throughout his extensive political career, Netanyahu has consistently prioritized his own interests over those of the country. This was particularly evident in 2022 when, in order to secure a majority and become prime minister, he aligned himself with far-right politicians who were previously marginalized within mainstream politics. Under the influence of this coalition, Netanyahu supported judicial-reform legislation which ultimately posed a significant threat to the unity of the country. It is clear that his resignation is now necessary for the well-being of the nation.

Maybe by voluntarily surrendering power, which undoubtedly would be painful for him, he can start scraping some of the thick tarnish off his legacy.

President of the Israeli Supreme Court, Esther Hayut, and all fifteen judges gather at the court premises in Jerusalem on September 12, 2023, to hear petitions challenging the 'reasonableness clause'. This clause was passed by Israel's hardline government through parliament in July and is a major component of a controversial judicial overhaul that has led to widespread protests and division within the nation. The amendment restricts the authority of the top court to review and potentially overturn government decisions, a move that critics argue could lead to authoritarianism.

Israel's Supreme Court ruling on Netanyahu's proposed judicial overhaul is based on the terms of the negotiations: Netanyahu will resign in exchange for immunity from the criminal charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery, which he denies.

Before the Hamas terrorists launched a deadly and horrifying attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of more than 240, as well as a campaign of sexual violence, Prime Minister Netanyahu had already caused unprecedented divisions in the country with his agreement with extremist legislators. This agreement, made in a desperate attempt to hold onto power, included proposals that would severely weaken the power of the courts and potentially change the character of the country.

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in protest week after week for eight months. The demonstrations only ended after Hamas attacked and efforts turned towards assisting the families of hostages and the tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from their homes.

Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history, could have left with a commendable list of achievements. He played a key role in transforming Israel's economy, turning it into a powerhouse and a top innovator in new technologies. Additionally, he helped end the country's regional isolation by building ties with some of its Arab neighbors.

Israelis took great pride in their achievements, and a large portion attributed Netanyahu for his role in them. Nonetheless, this was not the main concern. In Israel, perhaps more than any other country, security is the absolute highest priority. In this regard, Netanyahu's failure was nothing short of a catastrophe.

Since October 7, he has continually avoided taking responsibility for the disaster, instead insisting that all questions will be answered while redirecting the focus to "victory." By anticipating accountability after the war, Netanyahu is effectively motivated to extend the conflict.

Frida Ghitis argues that Netanyahu's expectation of a reckoning after the war creates a dangerous conflict of interest, incentivizing him to prolong the conflict with Hamas. Israel must address this issue as it determines its approach to the ongoing conflict.

Netanyahu's leadership has been heavily impacted by the Hamas attack. According to a year-end poll by the Israel Democracy Institute, only 15% of Israelis support him remaining in office after the war. The leading candidate to replace him is Benny Gantz, a retired IDF general and prominent opposition figure who joined Netanyahu's emergency war cabinet during the Hamas assault. With the relentless challenges facing Israel, Netanyahu lacks the legitimacy to effectively address the pressing issues.

How long will Israeli forces remain in Gaza and in what capacity? Who will govern the strip after the war ends? Will Israelis and Palestinians resume negotiations for the creation of two states? Can Israel trust the Palestinian Authority and President Mahmoud Abbas, who is largely distrusted by Palestinians, to help govern Gaza?

What about Hezbollah in Lebanon? As the Iran-linked militia, far stronger than Hamas, continues firing into northern Israel, should Israel attempt to destroy the estimated 200,000 rockets Hezbollah has aimed at Israel, or is it better to avoid opening a second front? Netanyahu's former strategy of allowing Hamas to stay in power proved disastrous; is that a lesson that should apply to Hezbollah?

Then theres another crucial question about the character of Israels democracy, a question that was only paused by the Hamas onslaught.

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The proposed changes to the judicial system sparked widespread protests in Israel due to concerns that it would threaten the country's democracy. On January 1, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a key aspect of the plan, known as the "reasonableness" law, which would have limited the court's ability to block extreme legislation and given more power to the ruling parties. Israel's legal system, which follows British common law, lacks a written constitution, a critical deficiency that needs to be addressed. The Court's decision was made with a narrow 8-7 vote, setting the stage for potential future constitutional conflicts in a country already grappling with various challenges.

Hamas attacked when it did because it saw the depth of division in Israel. While Israelis came together after the horrors of October 7, they are not blind to the fact that pre-existing problems have not disappeared. Some issues may have been delayed, but many more have surfaced.

Benjamin Netanyahu is the wrong man for the moment. He should walk away for the sake of Israel.