Kein Frieden in Gaza in Sicht: Ist Netanjahus Machtbesessenheit schuld daran?
Am 18.03 hat Israel die Waffenruhe einseitig aufgekündigt. Phase 2 der Vereinbarung, die eine vollständige Freilassung der Geiseln im Gegenzug zu einem israelischen Rückzug aus Gaza vorgesehen hat, wurde nie umgesetzt. Die Vermutung: Netanjahu fürchtete um seinen politischen Machterhalt. Um an der Macht zu bleiben, ist er auf die Unterstützung seiner rechtsextremen Koalitionspartner angewiesen, doch diese lehnen eine Waffenruhe ab. Ben Gvir gab seinen Ministerposten aus Protest auf. Smotrich drohte mit einem Rückzug.
Hinzu kommt, dass gegen Netanjahu ein Korruptionsverfahren läuft, bei dem er hätte aussagen müssen. Doch da sich Israel im Kriegszustand befindet, kam das Gericht Netanjahus Bitte, die Aussage zu vertagen, nach.
Netanyahu needs support from rightwing allies to win crucial votes in Israel’s parliament in coming days and weeks, or risk losing power. These allies have fiercely opposed a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza. The far-right former national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who resigned in protest at the ceasefire agreed with Hamas by Netanyahu in January, rejoined the government on Tuesday.
Netanyahu is also on trial for corruption and, if found guilty, could face prison. Also on Tuesday, a court approved Netanyahu’s request not to appear at a hearing “due to the renewal of the war”, Israeli media reported.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/18/israeli-protesters-say-airstrikes-are-cover-for-benjamin-netanyahu-to-keep-power
But far-right members of the Israeli government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to quit if Israel moves to the second phase of the deal, while calling for the total annihilation of Hamas.
Were that to happen, it would most likely bring about early elections, and Netanyahu, who is currently on trial over graft allegations, could be pushed out of power.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-ceasefire-palestine-hamas-netanyahu-what-know-rcna197012
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu progressed to Phase 2 instead of restarting the offensive. Opposition parties have promised to support him in any agreement that brings back hostages, but his coalition would still be severely weakened, making early elections likely.
By resuming the fighting, Netanyahu ensured Smotrich’s continued support. After the strikes, the Israeli leader regained another far-right partner, Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose party had bolted in January over the ceasefire but returned to the coalition Tuesday.
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-netanyahu-ff48f081b069e484955a72bc68261364
Netanjahu handelt dabei nicht mehr im Interesse seines Volkes, denn die Mehrheit der Israelis priorisiert eine Geiselfreilassung:
Consistent with the network’s recent polling, a large majority, 68%, supported signing a hostage deal with Hamas even if it meant ending the war against the terror group, while just 22% supported continued fighting in Gaza and 10% said they didn’t know
https://www.timesofisrael.com/poll-61-of-israelis-fear-for-democracy-66-say-internal-rift-is-greatest-threat/
Asked in a poll aired on Channel 12 what the reason for the government’s decision earlier this week to expand the war, 54 percent of respondents said political reasons, while just 36% said substantive reasons. Ten percent of respondents said they weren’t sure.
[...]
Just 25% of respondents agree with the government’s prioritization of destroying Hamas above freeing the remaining hostages. Sixty-one percent of respondents said freeing the hostages and ending the war should be the priority. Fourteen percent said they weren’t sure.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/poll-most-israelis-believe-governments-decision-to-expand-the-war-politically-motivated/
Everyone is paying the price for Netanyahu's obsession with power - opinion
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-856523
Biden says there is ‘every reason’ to believe Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political reasons.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/06/04/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas
