A recent survey commissioned by the Jewish People Policy Institute found what is frankly an extraordinary decline in the portion of Jewish Israelis who are certain of victory – from 74% in October to just 38% as at early May. More than 40% of Israelis are now unsure Israel can win. But perhaps some of those are anxious about the cost, if it does.
Israel can choose a different path: one of saving hostages, saving Palestinian lives, saving Israel’s global relations, and staving off the deterioration of its soul that is inevitable in a forever war. It’s the fetishised commitment to total victory that is becoming Israel’s total defeat.
Dahlia Scheindlin