Netanyahu's 'Absolute Victory' Goal Harms Israeli Military, Columnist Says

An Israeli columnist has sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy in the ongoing conflict, arguing that the pursuit of an "absolute victory" has become a destructive illusion. Nadav Eyal, writing for the daily Yedioth Ahronoth, contends that this elusive goal is undermining Israel's military doctrine and dragging soldiers into a cycle of revenge without a clear political vision or regard for historical military lessons.

Eyal highlights a stark contrast between Netanyahu's public promises and the pragmatic views of Israel's founders. He asserts that the mainstream Zionist ideology never believed in the feasibility of absolute victory. The early leaders understood the demographic realities and the enduring nature of the Arab population, recognizing that occupying all territories would never lead to a decisive win.

This perspective harks back to the aftermath of the Six-Day War, when the government under Levi Eshkol viewed the occupied territories as a bargaining chip for peace. Eyal's commentary, published via X and cited by Aljazeera, suggests a deep internal crisis within Tel Aviv, stemming from a strategic confusion that prioritizes a hollow slogan over realistic objectives.

The columnist's critique implies that the current government is repeating past mistakes, potentially leading to prolonged conflict and instability. The focus on a "victorious" end, he implies, ignores the complex geopolitical landscape and the fundamental limitations inherent in achieving such a goal.