Netanyahu weaponises religion in Gaza war

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled a shift in Israel’s security doctrine, advocating a proactive stance punctuated by a Biblical phrase that translates to taking the initiative before an enemy can strike. This rhetoric has sparked debate over whether Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to an existential holy war and whether such language risks broader international criticism and accusations of genocidal intent. In parallel, a soldier interviewed by Breaking the Silence and other outlets describes how the Israeli military engages in an information war around deadly strikes on Gaza’s hospitals, including attempts to portray victims as Hamas militants, a narrative later challenged by a Reuters investigation. The discussion of hard power versus soft power frames Israel’s influence in the world, with a separate reflection on Jewish soft power in America prompted by a recent incident at a New York synagogue and ongoing concerns about antisemitism and political rhetoric. Taken together, the discourse highlights how language, narrative control, and diplomacy intersect in shaping perceptions of Israel’s actions and the global Jewish community.