"This is just a Netanyahu problem."

Argument

Critics of the war often argue: “This is just a Netanyahu problem.” They claim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the primary force driving the escalation, motivated by personal political survival amid corruption trials, a far-right coalition, and electoral positioning. In this view, his decisions prolong the conflict without a coherent post-war strategy.

Counterpoint

While Netanyahu’s judgment and political vulnerabilities certainly influence the war’s conduct, the issue runs deeper, rooted in broad public support for militarism, settler-colonial policies, and punitive responses to Palestinian resistance. As documented by the International Crisis Group, 88% of Jewish Israelis supported high civilian casualties in Gaza, reflecting systemic societal endorsement of Netanyahu’s approach.

Moreover, the far-right coalition under Netanyahu, including figures like Ben-Gvir, shapes policy from within government. Even without Netanyahu, alternative leadership aligned with these parties would likely pursue similar military and occupation strategies. Thus, the conflict reflects entrenched national policy trajectories, not just one leader’s ambitions.

Spin

  • Scapegoating: Painting Netanyahu as the sole villain frames the conflict as fixable through leadership change, obscuring broader structural and societal forces.
  • Personalization of policy: Reduces systemic issues, like occupation, judicial backsliding, settlement expansion, to individual failings.
  • Undermining accountability: Encourages the belief that removing Netanyahu will end harsh policies, potentially enabling continuation under similar ideological governance.
  • Normalization of militarism: By focusing criticism on Netanyahu, public support for aggressive policy remains largely unexamined.

Sources