This past Saturday night, an estimated eighty thousand Israeli protesters took to the streets of rainy Tel Aviv to protest the new government, specifically the expected new policies for the judicial system directed by Minister Yariv Levin. The media in Arab countries and Iran are following the political drama unfolding in Israel with great interest, some of them with much joy as they have become convinced the heated controversy in Israel will somehow bring an end to the Zionist state. In reality, the massive gathering served to affirm the vibrant democracy and protected freedoms that exist in the country.
That did not stop the hardline Arab networks and pundits from spinning their versions. A consensus of the commentators believes that former Defense Minister and leader of the opposition, Benny Gantz's recent statements indicate the internal disintegration of Israeli society. The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel conducted a special broadcast under the title "Is Tel Aviv on its way to civil war?"
Thousands in Israel Hold Protest Against Government's Plans to Reform Judicial System https://t.co/CXSbPO385d
โ ZAQS World News (@ZAQSNews) January 15, 2023
On the channel's website, Palestinian commentator Wissam Abu-Shamala quoted former Knesset member Avshalom Willen from the progressive 'Meretz' party which lost all their seats in the most recent election and added: "Many Zionist thinkers have warned against the dangers of an Israeli civil war. Willen confirms that such a possibility exists, given the deepening divide between religious and secular people and the deep divisions between the sects and the multiple Jewish parties."
80,000 people reportedly at the protest in #TelAviv - the protestors are chanting โshameโ about the governmentโs proposed judicial reform plan - watch out for my ground report on โฆ@WIONewsโฉ pic.twitter.com/sFb3S4qboB
โ Jodie Cohen (@JodieCohen613) January 14, 2023
The commentator further linked the crisis in Israeli society to the success of the Hamas organization in Gaza: "The political and ideological crisis has increased since the military confrontation between the resistance in Gaza and the enemy army in 2018. Since the resignation of then-Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the political system in Israel has not stabilized, and signs have appeared on the surface of a sharp division within society. There are no signs of the return of the socio-political stability for the Zionist entity."
The reporter of the Iranian channel Al-Alam, broadcasting from East Jerusalem, which in itself also affirms freedom of the press in the Jewish State, explained that "what is happening now in Israel is a prelude to a civil war, against the background of the deep crisis in which the Zionist entity is in". The channel talked about "the demonstrations organized by the opposition led by Yair Lapid, which add to the political and security instability within the Zionist entity." Lapid was not in attendance during last night's rally.
'Bring down the dictator', protesters shout in thousands-strong anti-Netanyahu rallies https://t.co/SSr55XsovI
โ Press TV (@PressTV) January 15, 2023
Commentator Muhammad Zahaika told the channel that "every such statement brings us closer today, tomorrow or in the near future towards a fratricidal war in the Zionist entity, God willing."
It is important to be aware of the fact that the Arab world is watching the events in Israel very closely.
โ Avi Melamed ืืื ืืืื ุงูู ู ููุงู ูุฏ (@AviMelamed) January 14, 2023
In the #Arab discourse regarding the crisis in #Israel, some offer fairly objective analysis. Others hope it will lead to a civil war that will result in Israel's collapse.
However, there were some Arab-speaking commentators that were hesitant to so easily claim an upcoming Israeli civil war. The political commentator Suleiman Abu-Irshad suggested not to speculate and claimed that the statements about a civil war are an exaggeration. "Gantz spoke about a civil war last year and made similar statements. There is nothing new," Abu-Irshad noted in an interview with the Al-Jermak website and claimed that Gantz's statements were intended to prepare the ground for a unity government.
Many Arab commentators seemingly were using metaphorical statements by Israeli politicians and activists and translating them as literal, Gantz's statements, given in Hebrew, talked about a philosophical divide within the nation that can be seen through the numerous elections lately with razor-thin majorities on either end.
