Netanyahu: "De-radicalize" Gaza like Nazi Germany
It is well known that Israel wants to completely defeat and destroy Hamas. But what comes after that? Statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu about a "de-radicalization" of the Gaza Strip could indicate a long-term approach in the Palestinian territory after the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a radical transformation of the Gaza Strip after a victory over the Islamist Hamas, drawing comparisons to the denazification in Germany after 1945. "After the victory over Hamas" two things are necessary, Netanyahu said in a published interview with the newspapers "Bild" and "Welt" as well as "Politico".
"First, we demilitarize Gaza and second, we de-radicalize Gaza. And that is exactly what was done in Germany, Japan and elsewhere," Netanyahu said. He referred to the denazification of Germany, which is a completely different country today than it was in the 1930s. "This was achieved through total military victory and changing the culture, education and learning about the mistakes of the past."
After the victory in 1945, the USA, France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union occupied Germany in four zones and pushed ahead with denazification. The Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR were founded in 1949. In the decades that followed, troops of the victorious powers remained stationed in both countries.
Fighting resumes after a break
With regard to the situation in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu asked: "What sense does it make to win this war, to eradicate Hamas and not work towards the de-radicalization of Gaza?" In October, US President Joe Biden called any Israeli plans for a possible occupation of the Gaza Strip a "big mistake".
In an interview with the CBS news program "60 Minutes", Biden responded to the question of whether he would support an occupation of the Gaza Strip by the ally with the words: "I think that would be a big mistake." Israel had already occupied the Gaza Strip from 1967 to 2005. After the withdrawal, Hamas seized power in 2007.
The Israeli Prime Minister also emphasized that Israel would resume its operations against Hamas after the end of the currently agreed ceasefire. Hamas representatives have said "that they will repeat the massacre they committed against us (...)".
Netanyahu counters Macron
Netanyahu rejected criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Israel's conduct of the war as "completely unacceptable". Israel abides by the laws of war and "does not target civilians". Every civilian death is a "tragedy".
Anyone who is unable to distinguish between a targeted attack on civilians and "legitimate Israeli military action" has "lost all moral compass", Netanyahu said. Israel has "no choice but to destroy Hamas". But even after that, Israel will, in his words, continue to bear "primary military responsibility" in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli head of government also warned of the danger posed by Islamists. Hamas is "part of the terror axis of Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others". Their aim is to "first lead the Middle East and then the world into an age of barbarism".
- Following his statement about "de-radicalizing" Gaza like Nazi Germany, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposes a post-war strategy in the Gaza Strip, involving demilitarization and cultural transformation.
- Comparing the proposed de-radicalization of Gaza to denazification in Germany after 1945, Netanyahu suggests that military victory and cultural change are key to achieving this goal.
- While Netanyahu believes in the necessity of de-radicalizing Gaza after the Israeli victory over Hamas, US President Joe Biden has criticized any potential Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip, labeling it a "big mistake."
- Regardless of international criticism, Prime Minister Netanyahu has reaffirmed Israel's intent to resume operations against Hamas after the ceasefire, as Hamas representatives have threatened further attacks.
Source: www.ntv.de
