Goliath

1. Operation Cast Lead and the Public Embrace of Violence

“Hamas now understands if you fire on Israel’s citizens, it responds by going wild—and this is a good thing,” she proclaimed.

The Gaza assault. Operation Cast Lead in late 2008 and early 2009 saw Israel launch a devastating military assault on the Gaza Strip, resulting in widespread destruction and high Palestinian civilian casualties. This operation was framed by Israeli politicians and the military as a necessary response to rocket fire, despite evidence suggesting Israel broke a ceasefire first.

Political opportunism. The impending national elections fueled a competition among politicians to appear toughest on Gaza, with figures like Tzipi Livni, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ehud Barak employing increasingly belligerent rhetoric. This wartime atmosphere solidified public support for aggressive military action.

Public spectacle. The violence became a public spectacle, with Israelis gathering on hills overlooking Gaza to watch the bombing and cheering the destruction. This revealed a deep-seated resentment and a readiness for a "redemptive war" after previous military setbacks.

2. The Rise of the Far Right and the Decline of the Peace Camp

“Even though we supported initiating the operation after Hamas broke the cease fire, now we are saying enough,” he said, incorrectly blaming Hamas for initiating the hostilities.

Shift in political landscape. The 2009 elections, held during the Gaza assault, marked a significant shift, with the far-right Yisrael Beiteinu party surging and the traditional left-of-center parties (Labor and Meretz) suffering their worst results. This reflected a public mood favoring hardline, nationalist stances.

Peace camp capitulation. Leaders of the Israeli peace camp, including prominent literary figures and politicians, largely supported the Gaza operation, echoing the government's narrative. Their initial support and subsequent weak criticism alienated many left-wing voters and highlighted the peace camp's diminishing relevance.

Lieberman's ascent. Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, capitalized on the nationalist fervor with openly anti-Arab rhetoric and calls for loyalty oaths and transfer. His success demonstrated the growing mainstream acceptance of extreme positions within Israeli society.

3. Legalizing Discrimination: Stripping Away Democratic Pretense

“The question is: Is Israel a weak democracy? Yes, it is a weak democracy,” he responded.

Legislative assault. The Knesset, particularly under the influence of Yisrael Beiteinu and hardline Likud members, began enacting a battery of laws designed to strengthen the state's "Jewish" character at the expense of its democratic principles. These included bills targeting Arab citizens, human rights organizations, and the judiciary.

Targeting Palestinians. Laws like the Nakba Law (criminalizing commemoration of Palestinian displacement) and the Citizenship and Entry Law (restricting family unification for Palestinians) explicitly discriminated against the Arab minority, often justified on demographic grounds.

Weakening checks and balances. Efforts were made to curb the power of the Supreme Court, seen by some right-wing elements as an obstacle to the will of the Jewish majority. This legislative push aimed to consolidate a system of open apartheid, eroding the country's democratic veneer.

4. The Occupation as a System of Control, Not Just Conflict

“To them, they are serving their country,” Ala commented. “But to me, their presence is an attack on me and who I am.”

Daily reality. The occupation is not just a political conflict but a pervasive system of control that dictates the daily lives of Palestinians, both in the occupied territories and within Israel. This includes checkpoints, movement restrictions, and constant surveillance.

Psychological impact. Living under this system creates immense psychological stress for Palestinians, leading to feelings of humiliation, fear, and a sense of being constantly monitored and judged based on their ethnicity.

Normalization of control. For many Israelis, particularly soldiers, the mechanisms of occupation become normalized. Routine tasks like manning checkpoints or participating in raids can lead to dehumanization of Palestinians and a disconnect from the reality of their suffering.

5. Militarism and Indoctrination: Shaping the Israeli Psyche

“Teachers are lifelong draftees. This project is one of the best things taking place in high schools.”

Societal saturation. Militarism is deeply embedded in Israeli society, influencing education, culture, and daily life from a young age. The army is presented as the most respected institution, essential for survival in a hostile region.

Educational system's role. The education system actively participates in this indoctrination, promoting nationalistic values, often through a narrative of perpetual siege and Jewish victimhood. Textbooks downplay Palestinian history and suffering, while military preparation is integrated into the curriculum.

Impact on youth. This constant exposure shapes the attitudes of young Israelis, leading to high levels of nationalism, distrust of "the other," and a readiness to serve in the military, often with little critical reflection on the ethical implications of the occupation.

6. The Holocaust as a Tool for Justifying Oppression

“I will bring it up fifty times,” Rotem announced. “I have got a chip on my shoulder and a click in my head, and it’s called the Holocaust.”

Historical trauma. The Holocaust is a central element of Israeli identity and is constantly invoked in political discourse and public life. This historical trauma is used to foster a sense of perpetual vulnerability and justify aggressive policies.

Weaponizing memory. Politicians and military figures frequently compare Palestinian resistance or international criticism to Nazi actions, framing Israel as an innocent victim facing existential threats. This rhetoric inflames public fear and stifles dissent.

Distorted lessons. While the Holocaust is taught globally to promote tolerance, in Israel, it is often used to reinforce nationalistic narratives and dehumanize Palestinians, portraying them as heirs to the Nazis and justifying harsh treatment.

7. Hasbara: Crafting a Narrative of Victimhood and Righteousness

“It doesn’t matter if justice is on your side. You have to depict your position as just.”

Propaganda machine. The Israeli government invests heavily in hasbara, or public relations, to shape international perception and counter criticism. This involves coordinating efforts across ministries, utilizing social media, and cultivating relationships with journalists and influential figures.

Controlling the narrative. Hasbara aims to present Israel as a democratic, modern, and peace-seeking nation, while portraying Palestinians and critics as terrorists, anti-Semites, or irrational actors. This often involves distorting facts and suppressing unfavorable information.

Internal impact. The constant barrage of hasbara also shapes domestic opinion, reinforcing the government's narrative and creating a climate where questioning official accounts or expressing sympathy for Palestinians is seen as disloyal or even treasonous.

8. The Erosion of Democratic Institutions and the Rule of Law

“As a democrat and a Jew, I have a hard time with concentration camps where people are warehoused,” he remarked.

Undermining checks and balances. The rise of the right has led to a systematic effort to weaken democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary and civil society organizations. Laws targeting NGOs and limiting the Supreme Court's power aim to remove obstacles to the government's agenda.

Impunity for abuses. The military justice system and civilian courts often fail to hold soldiers and settlers accountable for abuses against Palestinians, contributing to a culture of impunity. This reinforces the idea that the rule of law does not apply equally to all under Israeli control.

Authoritarian drift. The combination of discriminatory laws, suppression of dissent, and lack of accountability points to an authoritarian trend, where the state's "Jewish" character is increasingly prioritized over its "democratic" principles.

9. The Psychological Toll of Occupation and Societal Extremism

“To come out against these wars on civilians—you were cut off. You were not part of the tribe. You were not part of the Jewish people. You were alone.”

Internal conflict. Israelis who question the occupation or the direction of their society often face social ostracism and psychological distress. This can lead to cognitive dissonance, where individuals struggle to reconcile their values with the reality around them.

Fear and paranoia. A pervasive sense of fear and paranoia, fueled by historical trauma and political rhetoric, contributes to a climate of distrust and hostility towards "the other," making it difficult for many Israelis to empathize with Palestinians.

Desire for escape. For some Israelis, particularly younger, educated, and secular individuals, the suffocating atmosphere and perceived lack of a positive future lead to a desire to leave the country, contributing to a significant emigration trend.

10. The Limits and Costs of Palestinian Nonviolent Resistance

“We know that what worries the Israelis more is that this style of a non-violent struggle might spread from Bil’in, Ni’lin and other numbered centers and become a wide model,” Abdullah Abu Rahme said.

Harsh repression. Palestinian nonviolent resistance, particularly the popular struggle against the separation wall, faces severe repression from the Israeli army, including teargas, rubber bullets, live fire, night raids, arrests, and the targeting of protest leaders and children.

Psychological warfare. The army employs tactics designed to break the will of protesters and their communities, such as spraying foul-smelling chemicals, using sound weapons, and arresting family members to pressure activists.

Heavy price. Despite some localized successes in rerouting the wall or gaining legal victories, the cost of resistance is high, with protesters facing injury, death, imprisonment, and the disruption of their lives and communities.

11. The Demographic Imperative Driving Segregation and Expulsion

“Most of those people arriving here are Muslims who think the country doesn’t belong to us, the white man.”

Fear of minority status. A core driver of Israeli policy is the fear of losing the Jewish demographic majority between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. This fear is constantly invoked to justify discriminatory measures against Palestinians and non-Jewish migrants.

Policies of exclusion. This demographic anxiety fuels policies aimed at limiting the growth and presence of non-Jews, including restricting family unification, denying building permits, demolishing homes, and promoting the "Judaization" of areas with significant Arab populations.

Targeting migrants. The arrival of African asylum seekers is viewed as a direct threat to the state's Jewish character, leading to the construction of walls, internment camps, and openly racist rhetoric from politicians advocating for mass expulsion.

12. The Future: Walls, Isolation, and the Exodus of Dissent

“In the past twenty years we’ve turned into porcupines; we’ve become a frightened nation that imprisons itself behind fences and retreats into defensive walls.”

Physical barriers. Israel is increasingly encircling itself with walls and fences along all its borders, including with Egypt and soon Jordan. These barriers are intended to keep out perceived threats, particularly non-Jewish migrants and Palestinians.

Internal isolation. These physical walls are mirrored by psychological and social barriers within Israeli society, leading to increased segregation, distrust, and a retreat into insular communities.

Loss of critical mass. The combination of internal repression, social pressure, and the desire for a different life is leading to an exodus of dissenting voices, particularly among the educated and liberal segments of the population, further consolidating the dominance of the right and potentially leaving the country more isolated and extreme.

Last updated: May 8, 2025