Shlomo Ben Ami: Netanyahu uses Gaza war for his ‘political survivor’

Santander, Spain (EFE).- Former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben Amid said on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prolonging the war in Gaza for his own “political survival,” warning that the conflict will not end until Israel changes government.

Speaking at the Quo Vadis Europa seminar hosted by the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander, Spain, the former Labor minister argued that Israel’s internal divisions are deepening under Netanyahu’s leadership.

“To end the colonial occupation, the tyrannical regime Israel is exercising, and corruption, the first step is to get rid of its government,” Ben Ami declared.

He claimed that Netanyahu launched the war without “any political objective” but solely to maintain the support of his far-right coalition partners.

“For him, the government is more important than morality or the damage he is causing internationally,” he stressed.

According to Ben Ami, if Netanyahu attempted to stop the war, “his radical, extremist, theofascist allies would abandon him, leaving him without government.”

Opposition outnumbered by settlers’ power

The former diplomat, who also served as Israel’s ambassador to Spain, described his country as “split in two.”

He said the “liberal Israel” represents a sociological majority but is ruled by a minority of settlers and expansionist parties.

“These groups would like an ethnic cleansing in Judea and Samaria, in other words, the territories of the West Bank,” Ben Ami warned.

Although acknowledging that Netanyahu still enjoys “a degree of popular support,” Ben Ami emphasized that the opposition’s struggle is handicapped by its commitment to democratic norms.

“The political opposition is liberal and tries to fight an indecent government with decent means,” he said, concluding that “under such conditions it is impossible to defeat Netanyahu.”

Israel’s global standing at risk

Ben Ami insisted that Israel’s international reputation is being undermined by its current leadership and policies in Gaza and the West Bank.

“Israel is divided. Liberal Israel needs international support, not financial or military, but understanding,” he told the audience.

He argued that Netanyahu’s policies, driven by far-right partners, are isolating Israel at a moment when its ties with global allies are already strained.

“Israel is governed by a minority, by settlers and expansionist forces, while the majority of its citizens are against this agenda,” he said.

Ben Ami concluded that lasting peace and a new direction for Israel depend on Netanyahu’s departure: “The war in Gaza will only end if this government ends.” EFE

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