Author Warns Israel Risks 'National Suicide' Through Messianic, Irrational Policies
An opinion piece warns that Israel is on a dangerous path, risking a catastrophic outcome akin to the Masada siege due to policies driven by messianic fervor and emotional, irrational decision-making, rather than strategic realism. The author argues that the current government, influenced by figures like Bezalel Smotrich, is escalating tensions with Palestinians and the Arab world, alienating allies like the United States, and pushing the military to its limits.
The article posits that the "messianic concept" is more dangerous than previous intelligence failures, as it resists factual refutation and interprets setbacks as tests of faith. This mindset, the author contends, prevents rational assessment of the situation and leads to a cycle of escalating conflict. The piece draws a parallel to the peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, which were based on mutual interests and de-escalation, not blind faith.
The author criticizes the government's hardline stance, which automatically labels critics as anti-Semites and supporters of terrorism, and its disregard for the potential consequences of prolonged conflict, including military limitations and the risk of isolation. The piece highlights the danger of alienating Western nations and exhausting diplomatic credit with the US.
Furthermore, the article expresses concern over the potential for a mass exodus of educated liberals, the disregard for military and economic resource limitations, and the opposition to military service for certain religious groups. It argues that leading a nation based on religious dogma and mysticism, instead of strategy and realistic assessment of capabilities, is a recipe for disaster.
The author calls for an urgent course correction, urging a return to David Ben-Gurion's pragmatic approach of setting achievable goals based on reality, rather than pursuing a messianic fantasy. The piece concludes by stating that continuing on the current trajectory is national suicide and that Israel must embrace rationality and strategic decision-making to avoid an irreversible downfall.
