When obeying law and order is a true subversion

The article critiques the Israeli government's recent decision to place intelligence services, specifically Mossad and Shin Bet, under stricter governmental control. This move is exemplified by the appointment of Roman Gofman, an IDF colonel known for his harsh actions against Palestinians in the West Bank, as the new head of Mossad. Gofman reportedly lacks intelligence experience and does not speak English, raising questions about his suitability for the role.

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Gofman has been accused on several occasions of misleading his commanders and acting without authorization. As an IDF colonel in the occupied West Bank, he ran Palestinian agents in unsanctioned, rogue activities. And he firmly believes he has the right, no matter the rules.

Slavoj Žižek, the author, expresses a complex reaction to learning that Gofman cited his writings as intellectual grounding for his approach. Gofman apparently believes a commander must sometimes act without formal authorization, exceeding their mandate to fulfill perceived policy intentions, even if undefined. Žižek notes Gofman's adaptation of his theories, suggesting Gofman views himself as operating within a 'discursive space' and identifying an external 'anchoring point' beyond the system, thus acting outside established lines.

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Stunning: The next Mossad chief draws inspiration from, yes, you guessed it, Slavoj Žižek!

Žižek recounts the malevolent reactions from others, such as Joerg Lau and Scott Long, who commented on the surprising connection between his philosophy and the new Mossad chief's justification for his actions. The author contemplates whether Gofman's reference to him is serious, a joke, or ironic, given Žižek's known stance supporting Palestinians. Ultimately, Žižek chooses to take Gofman's reference literally and naively.

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The new head of Mossad says he takes his ‘intellectual grounding’ from Slavoj Žižek. IMPOSTOR, THAT JOB IS RIGHTFULLY MINE.

He argues that Gofman's justification serves to legitimize the systematic violation of Israeli law by the IDF and settlers in their oppression of Palestinians. Žižek contends that it is not the resistance against the occupation that violates imposed Israeli law, but rather the organs of the Israeli state themselves. He draws a parallel between Gofman and Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the West Bank settler movement, highlighting their shared strategy of expanding settlements and occupying Palestinian land, often in defiance of legal frameworks.

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It is obvious that Gofman tries to provide a justification for how the IDF and settlers systematically break the (Israeli!) law and oppress Palestinians, so it is not those who resist Israeli occupation who violate the imposed Israeli law; it is the organs of the Israeli state themselves who violate their own laws.