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In deeply divided Israel, the dramatic scene over the nation's skies on Sunday can also be open to political interpretation.
For supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's show of defensive know-how in opposition to an Iranian assault that included a whole lot of drones and missiles proves that Mr. Netanyahu was proper to lengthy warn concerning the risk posed by Iran. .
His opponents are reluctant to present him any credit score, praising solely the Air Drive.
“Like every little thing else in Israel in recent times, the story is split into two narratives,” stated Mazal Muallem, an Israeli political commentator for the Center East information website Al-Monitor and writer of a latest biography of the Israeli chief.
“The division and polarization in Israeli society prevents individuals from seeing the entire image,” Ms. Mualem stated.
Iran's bombing on Sunday in response to an Israeli assault on the Iranian embassy constructing in Damascus this month, which killed a number of high-ranking commanders in Iran's armed forces, got here at a dangerous time for Mr Netanyahu.
At residence, he’s an unpopular chief, whom many maintain chargeable for his authorities's coverage and intelligence failures, which led to a lethal Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, which prompted Israel to go to warfare in Gaza. Did. Overseas, he’s the main focus of worldwide condemnation over Israel's prosecution of a warfare that has resulted within the deaths of 1000’s of Gazans.
How he in the end emerges from this episode will rely upon what occurs subsequent.
Mr Netanyahu should now make a alternative. Would it not reply to Iran with a large retaliatory strike and probably draw Israel and different international locations right into a broader warfare? Or will he tolerate the assault, which significantly injured a 7-year-old woman however in any other case brought about restricted injury, and droop the alliance that helped shield Israel within the curiosity of regional stability ?
Israel's allies are urging restraint.
“The query is whether or not Israel will retaliate instantly, or by some means shock the Iranians,” stated Efraim Halevi, who served as director of Israel’s intelligence company Mossad throughout the latter a part of Mr. Netanyahu’s first time period. Nineteen Nineties.
No matter occurs subsequent, Netanyahu biographer Ms. Muallem stated, referring to Mr. Netanyahu by his surname, “Bibi continues to be within the sport.” “He’s a central participant and this isn’t over diplomatically or politically,” he stated. “And he performs a protracted sport.”