Benjamin Netanyahu’s political career has been defined by a singular ability to wield fear and division as tools for personal and political gain. From associating Arab populations with existential threats to manipulating the collective trauma of the Holocaust, Netanyahu has consistently leveraged insecurities—both Jewish and global—to solidify power. In doing so, he has reshaped perceptions of Jewish and Middle Eastern history, fostered societal divisions, and driven Israel towards policies many now classify as genocidal.
Fear as a Political Weapon
Fear has been Netanyahu’s primary political currency. By portraying Arabs as existential threats to the survival of Israel, he has entrenched his image as the ultimate protector of Jewish security. Holocaust imagery frequently features in his rhetoric, allowing him to cast conflicts with Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah as extensions of historical Jewish persecution.
For example, in a speech at the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, Netanyahu declared, “The threats we face today from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas mirror those faced by Jews in the 20th century under the Nazi regime.” Such comparisons are designed to evoke collective trauma, solidify domestic and international support for aggressive policies, and silence critics who challenge Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
The invocation of Holocaust imagery serves another purpose: masking systemic oppression of Palestinians under the guise of existential necessity. This massively oversimplifies complex realities, manipulates historical memory, and distracts from policies that perpetuate occupation, settlement expansion, and human rights abuses.
History as a Political Tool
Netanyahu’s weaponisation of Jewish history extends beyond fear. He had systematically framed Israel as the sole safe haven for Jews globally, portraying it as a bulwark against rising anti-Semitism. While incidents of anti-Semitism are real and troubling, Netanyahu has exaggerated their implications to justify policies that marginalise Palestinian voices and foster division among Jewish communities worldwide.
Domestically, his Likud party’s neoliberal policies—focusing on privatisation and deregulation—have widened inequality and worsened economic hardships for marginalised groups like Mizrahi Jews and Israeli Arabs. Yet, Netanyahu redirects public frustration outward, uniting Israelis against external threats to deflect from his administration’s socioeconomic failures.
Exporting Fear for Political Gain
Netanyahu’s strategy is not confined to Israel. Following major terror attacks in Europe—such as the Charlie Hebdo shootings, the Bataclan attack, and the Manchester Arena bombing—Netanyahu urged Jews in these regions to migrate to Israel, claiming that safety in their home countries was no longer guaranteed.
This fear-mongering served a dual purpose. First, it bolstered Israel’s Jewish population, providing manpower for its military and settlers for expanding territories. Second, it reinforced the narrative that Israel alone could protect Jewish communities, further isolating critics in the diaspora.
Such tactics have drawn criticism for exploiting genuine tragedies to promote aliyah (Jewish immigration) and for instrumentalising anti-Semitism to advance political goals. By framing Israel as the only refuge, Netanyahu has alienated large segments of the global Jewish community, many of whom reject his hardline policies.
Genocide Disguised as Security
The Israeli military campaigns in Gaza, characterised by mass civilian murder and casualties, the destruction of almost all civilian infrastructure, and the displacement of millions, have escalated to levels many describe as genocidal. United Nations special rapporteurs, international NGOs, and academics have increasingly adopted this language, pointing to patterns of dehumanisation, systemic targeting of civilians, and collective punishment. Doctors have said they have witnessed the targeting of young children on a daily basis.
In October 2023, the ICC began investigating Israel’s actions in Gaza under charges of war crimes and potential genocide. Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued public arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity during Israel's operations in Gaza since October 2023.
These allegations cite intentional attacks on civilians, the systematic deprivation of essential resources such as food, water, and medical supplies, and actions calculated to destroy a part of Gaza’s civilian population. While genocide has not been formally charged, the court used language hinting at such a possibility in future indictments.
Despite these warrants, Israel has rejected the ICC's legitimacy and is unlikely to cooperate. Western allies like the United States have also defended Israeli leaders, complicating enforcement. The warrants, however, significantly limit Netanyahu's and Gallant's ability to travel, as 124 countries party to the Rome Statute are obligated to arrest them if they enter their jurisdiction.
The blockade of Gaza, now lasting over 17 years, has reduced the strip to what the United Nations calls an “unlivable” environment. Access to water, electricity, and medical supplies are almost nonexistent, exacerbated by airstrikes targeting hospitals, schools, and refugee camps. Netanyahu’s government claims these measures are necessary to combat Hamas. However, the scope of destruction suggests a broader agenda: to erase Palestinian resistance and suppress calls for statehood.
The Geopolitical Fallout
The repercussions of Netanyahu’s policies extend far beyond Gaza.
Regional Destabilisation: Iran’s increasing support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah has escalated tensions, with potential for broader conflict already
involving Lebanon and Syria.
Western Backlash: Western governments face growing internal criticism for their support of Netanyahu’s government. Progressive political factions and younger voters, particularly in the United States and Europe, are demanding accountability.
Global Priorities: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict now competes with other crises, such as the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Western nations risk overstretching their diplomatic and military resources.
The Cost of Fear
Netanyahu’s legacy is one of division, manipulation, and fear weaponised for political gain. His policies have fractured Israeli democracy, alienated Jewish communities worldwide, and entrenched the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a seemingly endless cycle of violence.
As Western nations continue to back his government, they must reckon with their complicity. By enabling a leader whose strategies defy international law, they risk not only destabilising the Middle East but also undermining the principles of justice and humanity that underpin the global order.
The question remains: will the international community demand accountability, or will history repeat itself under the weight of fear, division, and inaction?
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