sef, CNBC Indonesia
Wednesday, 11/29/2023 08:00 WIB
Photo: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (Ardi Suratman)
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu gave the latest statement regarding the war in Gaza, Palestine. In the midst of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which was again extended by 48 days, he touched on Islam in Gaza.
He said he “will eradicate toxic ideology” from Islamic Palestinian mosques and schools in Gaza. Citing media RT, Wednesday (29/11/2023) he said that Islam in the Palestinian enclave controlled by Hamas needed radical change.
“Israel will cleanse mosques and schools in Gaza of their poisonous ideology after its war with Hamas ends,” he said in front of Tesla CEO Elon Musk in an interview Monday local time.
He pointed to the wealthy Gulf states as examples of Muslim countries that have been “deradicalized.” To Musk in an interview broadcast live on social media X, Netanyahu said that the destruction of Hamas would be a “precursor” to more systemic change in Gaza.
“We have to demilitarize Gaza after the destruction of Hamas. We have to de-radicalize Gaza, and that will take time,” he said in the Russian media.
“Especially working in mosques and schools, that’s where children absorb their values. And then we have to rebuild Gaza.”
Since October 7 and into the seven weeks of Israel’s war on Gaza, Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Hamas will be gone by the time the operation ends.
However, he is not yet so sure about Gaza’s future. Last month, he said “there must be a civil government there” although he did not explain whether it was run by the Palestinian Authority or another political group.
Meanwhile, still mentioning Islam in Gaza, Netanyahu mentioned what the world did to Germany and Japan in World War II. Where he said, the toxic regime must be removed.
He pointed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain as examples of Arab countries that have undergone this process. Where both countries have indeed recognized the state of Israel in 2020.
Israel itself was in talks on an agreement to open relations with Saudi Arabia, before war broke out with Hamas on October 7. During the talks, Netanyahu also added Riyadh as a highlight, saying “the same thing is happening in Saudi Arabia”.
He also urged that Israel’s “Arab friends” help rebuild Gaza. The UN estimates that around half of all homes have been destroyed since the war began.
Musk himself traveled to Israel Monday to meet with Netanyahu and the families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas. The visit comes amid accusations from Jewish groups that the billionaire allowed anti-Semitic content on X and ended with Musk supporting Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Collect Al-Jazeera, after visiting the kibbutz with Netanyahu, Musk said in conversation that it was “very shocking to see the massacre site” there. He even said Israel had “no choice” but to eliminate Hamas.
Musk is also said to have met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. In a statement the meeting underscored “the need to act to combat rising online antisemitism”.
Netanyahu protects Hamas?
Previously, The Washington Post, had created a “strange symbiotic” relationship between Netanyahu and Hamas. He is considered by many observers to be deliberately “protecting” Hamas.
He has repeatedly vowed to destroy Hamas during his term in office. But on the other hand, Netanyahu instead implemented policies that helped the group maintain its grip over Gaza, the US media reported.
“This is a strange alliance that has ended,” said Israeli historian Adam Raz, who has studied ties between the prime minister and the militant group, according to the media.
“Hamas will not be the government of Gaza. And I think we can assume that Netanyahu is nearing the end of his political career (with Hamas in place),” he added.
In the last 10 years, for example, said Raz, Netanyahu has tried to block all attempts to destroy Hamas in Gaza while he was in charge. In fact, both parties almost achieved a rapprochement in 2018.
The prime minister’s cabinet approved the transfer of money from Qatar to be used to pay public salaries in Gaza. This includes improving local infrastructure, and even funding Hamas operations.
The aim of Netanyahu’s policies is allegedly to divide the Palestinian people. By letting Hamas control Gaza and letting its rival the Palestinian Authority control the West Bank.
The politician reportedly considers Hamas useful in stopping the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In fact, it is useful for disrupting the formation of a Palestinian state.
“Without a unified leadership, Bibi (Netanyahu’s nickname) could say that he cannot continue peace talks,” said Israeli pollster and political analyst Dahlia Scheindlin.
“This allows him to say, ‘There is no one to talk to,'” he stressed.
Israel’s economy is bankrupt
Meanwhile, in the report Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) citing Moody’s, the war with the Hamas group is actually detrimental to Israel. In fact, at least US$ 269 million (around Rp. 4.1 billion) per day is lost in the country.
The Gaza war is said to have dealt a bigger blow to the country’s economy than previous conflicts. This could also be a guarantee for the Israeli economy.
“The overall loss from this war could reach US$ 53.5 billion (Rp. 830 trillion), almost 10% of GDP,” wrote the report.
“To the point of threatening the future of Israel’s economy,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Hamas-Israel accuse each other of violating the ceasefire
(sef/sef)
2023-11-29 01:00:00
#Netanyahu #Responds #Ceasefire #Gaza #Islam #Change
