The Price of Hubris: How Netanyahu’s Failures Are Pushing Israel Toward Collapse
By: H. Zaïm-Bashi
The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza has laid bare the political and military failures of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is rapidly losing the confidence of the public as his government's mishandling of both military operations and hostage negotiations becomes glaringly evident. From Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel is witnessing unprecedented protests and strikes, the most massive since the war's eruption on October 7, 2023.
These demonstrations are not isolated acts of civil unrest; they are manifestations of profound outrage against Netanyahu’s refusal to broker a ceasefire and his obstinate prolongation of a war that only deepens Israel's socio-economic quagmire.
The fury that swept through Israel after the return of six bodies of prisoners held in Gaza speaks volumes. Hamas revealed that Israeli airstrikes were the cause of the deaths, despite the Israeli military conveniently blaming Hamas for the prisoners' execution before the army could intervene. Whether through incompetence or deceit, Netanyahu's government has consistently evaded responsibility, manipulating public sentiment to justify ongoing hostilities. The reality is that the deaths of these prisoners symbolize the broader failure of Netanyahu's regime to protect its citizens, let alone resolve the hostage crisis.
The Association of Families of Hostages minced no words in laying the blame squarely on Netanyahu. Their scathing critique—that the deaths were a direct result of his inability to reach a ceasefire—reflects a growing consensus that the Prime Minister’s ego and political machinations now eclipse any legitimate concerns for Israeli lives. Currently, more than a hundred hostages remain in Gaza, with a grim belief that many are already dead. Yet Netanyahu, buoyed by hardliners and extremists in his government, refuses to entertain any proposal that might involve releasing Palestinian prisoners, even if it means securing the lives of Israeli hostages.
Netanyahu's hollow promises of "complete victory" over Hamas are nothing more than smokescreens. Neither national security nor peace are driving this war. It is Netanyahu’s war of survival—a personal crusade to evade the consequences of his own failures and scandals. By continuing the war, he cleverly postpones the inevitable moment when he must stand before both the Israeli court and investigative committees to answer for his dereliction of duty. This prolonged war is a Zionist strategy, and Netanyahu is its unscrupulous architect, manipulating every political, military, and diplomatic lever to his advantage.
His motivations are transparently cynical. Israel's political agenda has relegated the hostage issue, once a critical concern, to the margins. Netanyahu, unable or unwilling to resolve it, now seeks to distract the public by escalating regional conflict, even daring to draw the United States into the fray. The suffering of hostages and their families, alongside the devastation in Gaza, has become a mere footnote in Netanyahu's larger scheme. This explains the rising tide of public dissent—the Israelis understand what is at stake. The largest general strike since October 7 sends a resounding message: Netanyahu's reckless ambitions have strayed so far from the interests of the Israeli people that his actions, even under the guise of "security," can no longer justify themselves.
However, the problem extends beyond Netanyahu's egregious leadership. One cannot ignore the responsibility Israeli society bears. While the strikes and protests are signs of an awakening, they also highlight the years of complacency that allowed Netanyahu’s regime to grow unchecked. The occupation has fostered a political and social culture that stifles dissent and encourages blind allegiance to hardline policies. Now, as the war drags on and civilian casualties mount, this silence is breaking—but is it too late?
Netanyahu has skillfully exploited the fears and divisions within Israeli society to maintain his grip on power, inflaming tensions and casting himself as the only bulwark against chaos. In doing so, he continues to rob his citizens of peace, stability, and international credibility. The recent protests signal that his facade is beginning to crack, but unless this momentum translates into sustained and radical opposition, Israel will remain embroiled in a conflict of its own making. The war is no longer about Hamas; it is about Netanyahu’s personal vendetta and the toxic brand of nationalism he champions.
At the heart of this crisis lies an uncomfortable truth: Netanyahu’s interests are diametrically opposed to those of the Israeli people. His contemptuous disregard for the hostages, his cynical prolongation of the war, and his calculated political maneuvering have left Israel morally bankrupt and internationally isolated. However, one must hold not only Netanyahu accountable but also Israel's entire political and military establishments for enabling his rise and continuing to shield him from the consequences of his disastrous leadership.
As the protests intensify, one thing is clear: the Israeli public’s patience has worn thin. Netanyahu’s machinations have backfired, and the citizens of the occupied territories, long terrorized by his policies, are finally speaking out. Their voices—filled with anger, disillusionment, and desperation—are the clearest indictment yet of a leader who has sacrificed the future of his country for the sake of his own survival. Whether this will lead to real change or yet another chapter of bloodshed remains uncertain, but one truth remains irrefutable: Netanyahu’s time is running out.
