Why Netanyahu's genocide against Palestinians must be stopped immediately

Hundreds of delegates at the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York walked out on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as soon as he took the podium. 

Unfazed, totally unflapped, Netanyahu waited until they walked out and delivered his speech as if such rejection was inconsequential. The man has the Aristotle Complex written all over his dour face. 

This complex borders on the psychological, but is a trait in which an individual believes he or she is always right. Individuals suffering from this complex are wired to disregard alternative views, which is why Netanyahu is blinded to the reality of Palestine existing as an independent state, his biases notwithstanding.

More countries continue to recognise the right of Palestine to exist as an independent state alongside Israel, but Netanyahu would have none of this. The latest countries to take a stand on Palestine include Britain, which was instrumental in setting up the Israeli state, Australia, Canada, Portugal and France.

In total, 157 of the 193 member states of UNGA, which accounts for 81 per cent of its membership, recognise the State of Palestine despite spirited attempts by Netanyahu to deny its existence. In the aftermath of the attack by Hamas militia on October 7, 2023, Israel launched a retaliatory attack against the militants in Gaza and the West Bank, an offensive that is still going on to date. Israeli forces have reportedly killed more than 65,000 people in Gaza and displaced at least 700,000.

The war has moved from being a defensive attack against the Hamas militia to genocide. It is no longer a war against terrorists, it has escalated to a Jewish war against Arab nationals. Netanyahu is aggrieved that Hamas fighters killed Israeli women and children, but sees nothing wrong in Israeli soldiers killing Palestinian women and children.

This dementia must stop. Netanyahu should not be allowed to continue killing innocent people in the guise of fighting terrorism. Truth be told, the casualties in Gaza are non combatants wearied by a war that has no winner, just the senseless and needless loss of lives. By October 2023, there were an estimated 30,000 Hamas fighters. Some have been killed, but they continue to recruit and appear to have surpassed the original number, which negates Netanyahu’s claim to victory even as he says the job is not yet done.

Israel’s intermittent bombardment of Gaza is not only destroying lives, buildings, hospitals, schools and homes, it is robbing Palestinians of their dignity and right to live freely in their land. Israel must respect provisions of the Oslo Accord of 1993 that sought the peaceful coexistence of Palestinians and Israelis through the establishment of two-state status where Israel would recognise Palestine and vice versa. This mutual recognition is crucial for peace in the Gaza strip, and Netanyahu's over-inflated ego should not become an impediment. 

Prior to the establishment of Israel as a state on May 14, 1948, the land, then known as Palestine, had an Arab majority and Jewish minority. Jews fleeing persecution in Europe and Adolf Hitler’s holocaust fled to Palestine. After the First World War, Britain took control of Palestine and made it a home for the Jews through the Balfour declaration. 

The inescapable fact is that Palestinians and Israelis have a right to coexist on land both have historical claims to. Netanyahu might resist it today, but the truth remains that one day Palestine will be free. At some point, Britain, the biggest ever colonial master, relinquished control of territories it had taken over. Israel will not fare any better. 

The claim by major powers that they uphold fidelity to democracy and human rights when the rights of Palestinians are being violated is a facade. US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu’s greatest cheerleader, who also exhibits the Aristotle Complex, should sober up and call his buddy to order. 

He should prevail upon Netanyahu to stop the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. Countries that have recognised Palestine have made the right decision. Unless Netanyahu’s intention is to exterminate Palestinians, Israel must stop the killings.