In a pointed critique today, former Mossad chief Ephraim Halevy lambasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy for the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza, suggesting that “Israel is negotiating with itself.”
Taking to the social platform X, Halevy highlighted a glaring inconsistency in Netanyahu’s document regarding who should be engaged in discussions about Gaza’s future post-Hamas conflict.
He noted that while the document presented by Netanyahu suggests there is no Palestinian representation or involvement, it simultaneously implies that a resolution should be achieved through negotiations between two parties.
According to the document, Netanyahu’s proposals include a clause on the Palestinian state, wherein Israel firmly rejects any international dictates on a permanent settlement with the Palestinian people.
However, the Prime Minister stated, “Such an arrangement can only be reached through direct negotiations,” indicating Israel’s intention to maintain control over the security of the entire West Bank area, including the Gaza Strip perimeter.
Halevy’s tweet expressed the contradiction: “Israel is negotiating with itself,” he stated. “There’s a contradiction in the ‘day after’ document released by Netanyahu tonight.
On one hand, it’s decided that there’s no Palestinian representation, yet on the other hand, the document mentions that a settlement can only be reached through negotiations between two parties.”
Adding to his criticism, as reported by the Israeli Army Radio, Halevy posed the question, “I know the Israeli side, but who is the other party?” This question underscores the ambiguity and potential unilateralism in Israel’s approach as depicted in Netanyahu’s document, which, contrary to his prior statements, omits any explicit mention of rejecting the participation of the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza post-conflict.
The former Mossad chief’s remarks add to the growing discourse on Israel’s strategy and intentions in the region, particularly in the wake of military operations in Gaza, and highlight the complexities and challenges in negotiating peace and security in the area.
