Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been experiencing global rage over nearly two years of war in Gaza, and Israel is facing a “kind of isolation” that has lasted for years, and it can only stand in itself.
Speaking at a meeting of the Ministry of Finance, Netanyahu said that Israel’s economy needs to adapt to “automobile characteristics.”
“That’s a word I hate,” Netanyahu said, adding, “It was him who brought the free market revolution to Israel.”
One of the major industries facing isolation is the arms trade, he said.
“We need to develop an arms industry — we’ll combine Athens with Super Sparta. We have no choice for the next few years, at least we need to deal with these attempts at isolation,” he said.
Netanyahu’s statement shows a rare recognition that Israel faces in escalating the war in Gaza. He refused to change course despite warnings from the United Nations and others, despite warnings that looming attacks on Gaza city would lead to more death and destruction, within the scope of accusations that Israel is committing genocide in enclaves that Israel strongly denies.
Israel is currently facing a partial or complete arms embargo from France, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Italy and others due to its actions in the Gaza War. However, the majority of its weapons imports come from the United States, which has not imposed such restrictions, warning others to do so. The Biden-era delay at the time of the 2,000-pound bomb shipment was quickly lifted by the Trump administration.
Israeli masses, hostage families, and even the military are opposed to widening the war over concerns that could put hostages in danger and exacerbate humanitarian casualties. However, the Prime Minister insisted on pushing ahead.
For years, Israel has been considered a regional and global economic power plant. This is driven largely by its proud high-tech industry. However, war has economic consequences and is already the longest and most expensive in the country’s history.
Netanyahu affiliated the isolation partially to the “extreme Islamist agenda,” and argued that it had “very negative influences” on European foreign policy. He also said his rivals are “in Qatar and others.” It shapes global discourse about social media.
“This situation is threatening us with the beginning of economic sanctions and the issue of importing weapons and weapons parts,” Netanyahu said.
“I don’t have a second chance.”
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid responded, denounced Netanyahu and dubbed his statement that Israel was isolated as “crazy.”
“Quarantine is not destiny. It is the result of Netanyahu’s flaws and failed policies,” writes Rapid in X.
Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisencott has planned a political run, blasting the prime minister and saying “there will be no second chance to repair the damage caused by him and his partners who abandoned hostages and isolated Israel in the world.”
Later on Monday, Netanyahu tackled “pessimists” about the economy, saying Israeli stock markets are “the strongest in the world.”
“Investing in Israel is wise,” he said in a statement, adding that Israel will continue to increase its investment in arms production and avoid reliance on “weak Western European leaders surrender to their country’s extreme Muslim minorities.”
Israeli Finance Minister Bezarel Smotrich posted on X that he appears to reflect the Prime Minister’s statement, as stock markets are rising, inflation is declining and he praises the country’s management during the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu worked with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio early on Monday. He lavished “about the many issues that Israel showed to the United States expanded beyond the causes of war and peace.”
The two criticized many countries, including France, Canada and Australia, who are trying to recognize Palestinian states ahead of the UN General Assembly this month.
