In the wake of the recent memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, which concluded the three-month US-Israel conflict with Iran, Israel finds itself at a crossroads. The nation’s stance on the agreement has sparked intense debate, reflecting deep-seated trauma and political calculations.
A recent poll revealed that a staggering 92 percent of Israelis believe the US has compromised their victory over a longstanding adversary. Nearly half of those surveyed advocate for continued attacks on Lebanon and the pro-Iran group Hezbollah despite Washington’s urgings.
Israel’s Multifront Wars: A Nation in Conflict
Since the devastating Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2026, which claimed the lives of 1,139 people, Israel has been embroiled in continuous wars across the region. The conflict in Gaza has been particularly brutal, with over 73,000 Palestinians killed and vast areas reduced to rubble. Israel has also engaged in strikes on IranLebanonSyria and Yemen targeting allies of Tehran.
Within Israel’s fractious parliament, support for these wars remains a rare point of consensus. However, opinions diverge on the methods and justifications for these conflicts. Former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot a potential contender to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks on Iran as “the most just war in recent decades against the most bitter enemy.” Opposition leader Yair Lapid echoed this sentiment, criticizing the US deal with Tehran as a “shocking failure” of Israel’s foreign policy.
The Holocaust Narrative and Collective Victimhood
Daniel Bar-Tal a sociologist from Tel Aviv University, argues that the Hamas attack has been framed within the context of the Holocaust reinforcing a sense of collective victimhood among Israelis. This narrative has ingrained a belief in the justness of national goals and the delegitimization of Palestinians, fueling support for Israel’s wars.
Despite nearly three years of continuous conflict, few Israelis believe the nation is significantly more secure. Hamas remains in control of large parts of Gaza, and the Iranian regime, which Netanyahu predicted would fall quickly, remains steadfast. Israeli analyst Shaiel Ben-Ephraim contends that there is no particular achievement that will stop this “eternal war.”
Political Calculations and Future Prospects
With elections looming later this year, Netanyahu faces significant challenges, including the fallout from the October 7 attack, ongoing corruption charges, and the perceived failure Ben-Ephraim suggests that Netanyahu believes ongoing wars can distract from these issues. However, none of Netanyahu’s rivals offer a meaningful alternative to the current doctrine of preemptive strikes and total destruction of perceived threats.
The prospect of future conflicts remains high, as the desire to eliminate any potential threat drives Israel’s military strategy. Ben-Ephraim concludes that only a complete reversal of strategic fortune could alter this path, highlighting the deep-seated trauma and political necessity fueling Israel’s unyielding war path.
