In the midst of the ongoing Middle East conflict, Israel finds itself in a unique and challenging position. As a journalist and philosopher, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Bernard-Henri Lévy, a prominent French thinker, to discuss his new book “Israel Alone.” Our conversation shed light on the complexities of Israel’s situation and the global response to recent events.
The Isolation of Israel: More Than Just Self-Defense
Israel’s current predicament goes beyond mere self-defense. While many nations acknowledge Israel’s right to protect itself, Lévy argues that this is the bare minimum. The real issue at hand is Israel’s right to win this conflict.
According to Lévy, Israel’s allies often fall short in their support. They may affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, but when it comes to actually winning the conflict, there’s a sudden shift. Calls for ceasefires, compromises, and negotiations emerge, potentially undermining Israel’s efforts to secure a decisive victory.
The Root Causes of Israel’s Isolation
Several factors contribute to Israel’s isolated position:
- Organized campaigns: Influential entities, such as Qatar, have orchestrated well-planned efforts to sway public opinion against Israel.
- The Resurgence of anti-Semitism: The containment of anti-Semitic sentiments following the Holocaust has weakened, allowing these attitudes to resurface.
- Unexpected reactions: The horrific events of October 7th, instead of fostering global solidarity, sparked a wave of hatred and even celebration of the attackers in some quarters.
The Paradox of Progressive Thinking
One of the most perplexing aspects of the current situation is the shift in progressive thinking. Lévy points out that many Western progressives seem to be abandoning traditional Western values. Ironically, their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict often aligns more closely with reactionary right-wing ideologies.
Debunking Misconceptions: Colonialism and Apartheid
Lévy strongly refutes claims that Israel is a colonialist endeavor or an apartheid state. He argues that such accusations stem from a lack of historical understanding:
- When Israel was established, there were nearly equal numbers of indigenous Jews and Arabs in the region.
- The Jews fought against the British Empire, waging an anti-colonial war to establish their state.
- Comparisons to apartheid are baseless, according to Lévy, who has firsthand experience protesting against actual apartheid in South Africa.
The Path Forward: Supporting Israel’s Right to Win
As the conflict continues, it’s crucial to recognize Israel’s right not just to defend itself, but to achieve a decisive victory. This perspective challenges the current narrative and calls for a reevaluation of global support for Israel in its struggle for security and peace in the Middle East.
The conversation with Bernard-Henri Lévy offers a thought-provoking take on the Israel-Palestine conflict, urging us to look beyond surface-level analyses and consider the deeper historical and geopolitical factors at play. As the situation evolves, it’s clear that the international community’s approach to Israel and its right to exist peacefully will continue to be a topic of intense debate and scrutiny.
