Israel Faces International Isolation Due to West Bank Policies, Analyst Warns

An interview in which Prime Minister Netanyahu advised Israelis to prepare for international banking sanctions and develop methods to circumvent them, particularly using cryptocurrencies, has sparked significant debate. The article argues that the underlying reasons for potential sanctions, and the possibility of even the United States turning against Israel, are being inadequately discussed. The author contends that Israel's trajectory towards becoming an international pariah is primarily driven by actions in Judea and Samaria. These include a creeping annexation of territory, the stated goal of collapsing the Palestinian Authority, and a refusal to engage in political settlement discussions, alongside unprecedented, nationalistic, and messianic violence by Israelis.

The "settler revolution," a key slogan of Finance Minister Smotrich, is described as a sectoral project driven by a minority's religious beliefs, imposed on the majority. This project is presented as a national endeavor, despite most Israelis not crossing the "green line" or being aware of events in Judea and Samaria. Proponents claim it has broad support, protects everyone, and embodies lessons from October 7th, which they interpret as a mandate to seize Arab land and treat Arabs in ways that may contradict Jewish values, including violence and plunder. The article asserts this is an ideological vision, not a strategic plan, aiming for a more religious state where rabbis hold greater sway in security and policy.

Recent weeks have seen the increasing integration of biblical-era concepts and values, structural inequality (which Smotrich denies is apartheid), normalization of war crimes like "voluntary transfer," and a near-inevitable move toward international isolation. The article criticizes the leadership of the settlement movement for lamenting the actions of "hill youth" as damaging the project's image, arguing that establishing settlements and controlling populations without granting rights inherently breeds violence. The price of such a "settler revolution," especially one outside the law, includes deep internal divisions, a worsened international and economic standing, and diminished chances for regional normalization.

The author warns that without addressing these issues, Israel risks becoming a pariah state, akin to North Korea or Albania, driven by fantasies of redemption and biblical laws. The article contrasts this with a vision of a powerful Israel that understands its limits and uses force precisely. It highlights the current discourse on Judea and Samaria as alarming, particularly concerning potential crises before or after upcoming elections. The article mentions Netanyahu's call for a large-scale operation in Hebron and Smotrich's efforts to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, framing the upcoming elections as a critical juncture for the country's future direction.