Smarter sanctions must end the state sponsorship that allows settlements to grow and the political influence of religious zealots to flourish
Which country today brushes aside credible
accusations
of war crimes in a military campaign where its actions are under investigation for
genocide
? Which nation’s political leadership endorses the illegal, violent
expropriation
of land and reduces its most steadfast friend – whose protection is vital to its survival – to threaten to withdraw support? Unfortunately, the answer is Israel, which has turned its unchecked anger on the Palestinians after Hamas
massacred
1,200 of its citizens and took 253 others hostage. Revenge has led to an intensifying conflict with devastating consequences.
While the recent violence is unprecedented in its ferocity, Israel has had a history of rogue conduct. But a deeper crisis for the country lies beneath the defiance with which
far-right
Israeli cabinet members respond to Joe Biden’s
warning
that the US would withhold arms should Israel invade Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah. There appear to be no limits to how far extremists in Israel will go in disregarding world opinion.
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