Israeli Elites' Internal Strife Echoes Pre-WWII French Division

A historical analysis draws parallels between the deep societal divisions in pre-World War II France and contemporary Israel, arguing that internal political conflict and elite self-interest can undermine national resilience. The article references historian Marc Bloch's "Strange Defeat," which attributed France's swift collapse in 1940 not just to military failure but to a societal breakdown fueled by political infighting against the socialist government of Leon Blum. Bloch argued that French elites, prioritizing their own interests over national unity, contributed to the nation's vulnerability.

The piece contrasts this with Israel's response to the October 7th Hamas attacks, highlighting the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of reservists as a sign of national fighting spirit. However, it points to a disturbing similarity in the intense internal political opposition that emerged immediately after the December 2022 election of the current right-wing government. Critics, including former officials and prominent figures, immediately questioned the government's legitimacy and legitimacy, leading to widespread protests and legal challenges, particularly against the proposed judicial reforms.

This internal conflict, the author contends, mirrors the French elites' opposition to Blum's government, where a segment of the establishment viewed the socialist administration as an existential threat to their established order. In Israel, the judicial reform debate, spearheaded by figures like Yariv Levin, became a focal point for this opposition, with many in the establishment, including the Supreme Court, judiciary, and business leaders, actively resisting the government's agenda. This resistance, the article suggests, transformed a political debate into a perceived existential struggle, echoing the French pre-war scenario where internal divisions weakened the nation.

Following the October 7th attacks, the article notes that the internal political struggle, though shifting its focus to issues like the hostages and government accountability, continued with similar intensity and key players. The author criticizes the Supreme Court for actively engaging in the political dispute rather than acting as an objective arbiter, drawing a parallel to how entrenched interests can paralyze a nation. The piece concludes by warning that while Israel's fighting spirit remains intact, the persistent internal divisions, where segments of society prioritize their own camp's success over national unity, pose a significant danger, echoing the historical lessons from France's downfall.