(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The resignation of another Israeli minister from Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is a sad commentary on the direction of Israeli politics, or more precisely, that of Netanyahu’s government. The rise of the rabid right has been roiling Israeli politics for many months, with the prime minister’s role in this phenomenon coming under special scrutiny.
Environment minister Avi Gabbay announced his resignation in protest against Netanyahu’s decision to take the defence portfolio from former general Moshe Yaalon and hand it to Avigdor Lieberman, who is known for his extremist views and harsh treatment of Palestinians. Yaalon had resigned from the government a week ago in protest, warning of a rising tide of extremism that was threatening to swallow both the party and the country. In a strongly worded statement, Gabbay accused Netanyahu of leading the country up a dark alley into ruin. “I could not accept the removal of Yaalon, a professional and thoughtful defence minister,” Gabbay said.
The rise of extremism of the most violent variety, which is built on a plank of antipathy towards Palestinians and illegal confiscation of their land, is causing huge concern among the country’s liberals and the international community. But it’s a phenomenon the liberals have been forced to watch, being unable to stop its tide. Netanyahu has been aiding and abetting the growth of these radicals, many of whom are settlers, for his political survival. For example, co-opting Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu party would add five lawmakers to Netanyahu’s wafer-thin majority if the coalition deal is given parliamentary approval next week as expected.
Israel is in the throes of a debate about the dangers posed to the future of the country by these radicals, but their voices of concern and protest have been drowned out by the bellicosity of extremists and their brutal hold on the government. If these radicals have their way, they will eliminate the ‘threat of Palestinians’ through any method that suits them, and will capture all of Palestinian land and even beyond.
Netanyahu must realise that his acquiescence to the actions of the radical fringe is not without consequences. The West is increasingly becoming aware of the suffering of Palestinians and the atrocities committed by the settlers and Israeli soldiers. This rising awareness is leading to an erosion of support for Israel in the West, growing sympathy with Palestinians.
The weakening of Palestinians and Arabs has also been responsible for the rise of Jewish extremism. The silence of the international community, especially the US, has emboldened Netanyahu in his promotion of radicalism.