SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Professor in Israel: "Bibi" benefits from hostages dying

Benjamin Netanyahu is doing everything in his power to sabotage the negotiations on a ceasefire, according to a stream of reports. The war benefits him. It is the only thing that can keep him in power, says political scientist Uriel Abulof in Tel Aviv.

» Updated: 22 August 2024, 09:55

» Published: 22 August 2024

Professor in Israel: "Bibi" benefits from hostages dying
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov/AP/TT

When six Israeli hostages returned home in body bags last week, the thanks speech to Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu was absent.

Instead, criticism poured in. Relatives accused Netanyahu of having betrayed their loved ones twice: first when they were kidnapped, and then when they were left to die as a result of the government's inability – or unwillingness – to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Netanyahu chose to sacrifice the hostages, said Mati Dancyg, whose father's body was returned to Israel, to public service company Kan.

The government has blood on its hands. My uncle died for Netanyahu's (political) survival, said Zahiro Shahar Mor, relative of another of the dead, to Radio 103FM.

"Couldn't care less"

The fact that the hostages are coming home in body bags is the result of the government's active choice, claims Uriel Abulof, professor of political science at Tel Aviv University (TAU). Fewer living hostages give Netanyahu fewer reasons to be forced to make concessions – and prevent the hostages from coming home with loud demands and criticism of the government for abandoning them.

In many ways, it benefits "Bibi" that the hostages return dead. They want their people as submissive as possible – and dying is a way to become submissive, he says.

Thus, the government is not significantly affected by the criticism of the hostage strategy, believes Abulof.

The regime, especially Netanyahu with his megalomania and narcissistic tendencies, couldn't care less.

Netanyahu has repeatedly been accused of sabotaging the negotiations for a ceasefire. The reason: he knows that a concluded hostage agreement would make his fragile government coalition collapse, according to Abulof.

Mossad chief: Agreement impossible

In July, Haaretz newspaper detailed how the prime minister systematically torpedoed the negotiation process, often at the most critical moments.

Netanyahu is said to have leaked sensitive information, gone behind the backs of colleagues, and severely limited the mandate of his negotiators – all to avoid an agreement with Hamas.

On Tuesday, Einav Zangauker, whose 24-year-old son is still being held in Gaza, said that Israel's intelligence chief David Barnea had confidentially told her that a hostage agreement was impossible "under the current political constellation". The intelligence service quickly denied Zangauker's statement, according to The Times of Israel.

As long as Netanyahu rules Israel, Uriel Abulof sees almost no chance of an agreement.

The war will continue as long as it benefits him and his political position.

During the Hamas-orchestrated terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, around 250 people, mostly Israelis, were taken hostage and brought to Gaza. They are being held by Hamas and other armed extremist groups.

During a week-long ceasefire in November, over 100 hostages were exchanged for 240 Palestinian prisoners. A few more Israelis have been released by the country's military.

Currently, it is estimated that over 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza. About a third of them are feared to be dead.

Since Israel declared war on Hamas after the terrorist attack in October, more than 40,000 people in Gaza have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled strip.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The new law: Fines for promoting a life without children
1 MIN READ

The new law: Fines for promoting a life without children

This is what has happened in the Norwegian royal scandal
3 MIN READ

This is what has happened in the Norwegian royal scandal

The Brussels Brawl is Over – New EU Commission Near
3 MIN READ

The Brussels Brawl is Over – New EU Commission Near

USA blocked resolution on ceasefire in Gaza
1 MIN READ

USA blocked resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

British Storm Shadow has been used against Russian targets
2 MIN READ

British Storm Shadow has been used against Russian targets

Hezbollah leader threatens with new attacks
1 MIN READ

Hezbollah leader threatens with new attacks

Spain: Hundreds of Thousands of Undocumented Migrants Become Legal
2 MIN READ

Spain: Hundreds of Thousands of Undocumented Migrants Become Legal

Death toll rises after attack on Palmyra
2 MIN READ

Death toll rises after attack on Palmyra

Putin's gift to Kim: A lion and two bears
2 MIN READ

Putin's gift to Kim: A lion and two bears

"No to changed rules for rainforest logging"
1 MIN READ

"No to changed rules for rainforest logging"

Sudan: 40 killed in attack on village
1 MIN READ

Sudan: 40 killed in attack on village

Tunisian opposition leader attacked with acid
1 MIN READ

Tunisian opposition leader attacked with acid

Report: Breivik is not psychotic
1 MIN READ

Report: Breivik is not psychotic

Marius Borg Høiby suspected of additional rape
3 MIN READ

Marius Borg Høiby suspected of additional rape

The Brussels Brawl is Over – New EU Commission Near
3 MIN READ

The Brussels Brawl is Over – New EU Commission Near

The West wants to punish Iran for "poor cooperation"
1 MIN READ

The West wants to punish Iran for "poor cooperation"

Bomb Cyclone Sweeps Across the USA: "Explosive"
2 MIN READ

Bomb Cyclone Sweeps Across the USA: "Explosive"

Embassies closed – but Kyiv calls threat fake
2 MIN READ

Embassies closed – but Kyiv calls threat fake

Putin's new doctrine: "A new attempt"
3 MIN READ

Putin's new doctrine: "A new attempt"

The title in English is: The Husband Let Men Rape Her: "Will Never Heal"
3 MIN READ

The title in English is: The Husband Let Men Rape Her: "Will Never Heal"