TEL AVIV, Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a vehement counterattack on Sunday against mounting criticism from the United States amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas, asserting that the pressure would not deter Israel from achieving “total victory.”
In the face of recent admonitions from top U.S. officials, traditionally strong allies of Israel, Netanyahu remained resolute in his stance. President Joe Biden openly criticized Netanyahu for the high civilian casualties in Gaza, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a new election, alleging that Netanyahu had “lost his way.” Biden later expressed his support for Schumer’s stance.
Despite these criticisms, Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s unwavering commitment to its objectives. “No international pressure will stop us from realizing all of the goals of the war,” Netanyahu stated emphatically. “Eliminating Hamas, freeing all of our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel.”
The prime minister also made it clear that Israel was prepared to proceed with its military plans, including an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. “We will operate in Rafah. This will take several weeks, and it will happen,” Netanyahu declared.
While the international scrutiny primarily targeted Netanyahu and his government, he framed it as a broader assault on Israel itself. His rhetoric underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that halting the conflict prematurely would equate to conceding defeat.
Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli consul-general in New York, suggested that Netanyahu’s confrontational stance aimed to deflect potential blame if Israel failed to achieve its objectives. “He’s looking on purpose for a conflict with the U.S. so that he can blame Biden,” Pinkas commented.
The political dynamics at play were evident, with both sides leveraging the public discourse to their advantage. The Biden administration faced mounting pressure from progressive Democrats and Arab-American supporters to rein in Israel’s actions, while Netanyahu sought to demonstrate resilience in the face of international pressure, particularly from Israel’s staunchest ally.
Israel’s offensive has had devastating humanitarian consequences, displacing a significant portion of Gaza’s population and causing widespread suffering. The Gaza Health Ministry reported staggering casualty figures, with at least 31,645 Palestinians killed in the conflict, the majority of whom were women and children.
As tensions persist and the conflict escalates, the rift between Israel and its allies, particularly the United States, underscores the complex geopolitical landscape in the region. Netanyahu’s defiance signals a determination to pursue Israel’s strategic objectives, even in the face of mounting international criticism and humanitarian concerns.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
