The Politics of Occupation: How Israel’s Identity Crisis Shapes Its Politics

The concept of national identity was supposed to have been settled after World War II – a nation-state would be defined by its own people, language, culture, and territory. However, in Israel today, this relationship between national identity and politics is far more complicated.

In recent years, the Israeli party system has become increasingly fragmented, with politicians from different backgrounds and ideologies vying for power. But beneath these divisions lies a deeper issue – one that speaks to the heart of what it means to be an Israeli citizen in 2023. The traditional left-right divide does not apply here.

The debate over national identity is not just about economics or social policy; it’s centered on the question: what does it mean to be a Jewish state? For decades, this issue has been at the forefront of Israeli politics, with politicians from both the left and right locked in a struggle to balance democracy with Jewish identity.

The left is associated with territorial compromise – separating Israel from the Palestinians to remain both Jewish and democratic. However, this language has become hollow since the second Intifada of 2000-2005. As one commentator noted at the time, “the violence of the early 2000s was read as proof that the Oslo Accords had failed.” This is a valid concern – what kind of democracy can justify forcing its citizens to live under military occupation?

The right has become unified around security issues. However, this is not just about defending Israel against external threats; it’s deeply tied up in the country’s identity crisis. Many Israelis today believe that a Palestinian state would pose an existential threat to their own people.

This brings us to Likud, once the main vehicle for Israel’s right-wing politics. Today, it seems increasingly irrelevant in the face of newer, more extreme parties like Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit. These groups are not just about security; they’re about a vision of Israel as a Jewish state, pure and simple.

The collapse of the Oslo Accords in 2000 marked a turning point for Israeli politics. Suddenly, the traditional left-right divide seemed less relevant than ever before. Politicians found themselves drawn into a debate over national identity that has never truly been resolved.

Israel has walked a tightrope between its commitment to democracy and its equally deep-seated commitment to Jewish identity. This tension is not just about politics; it’s about what it means to be an Israeli citizen in the first place.

Today, Israel’s right-wing politics are dominated by parties like Likud, Religious Zionism, and Otzma Yehudit. These groups share a common vision – one that sees Israel as a Jewish state, pure and simple. However, this raises questions about the country’s relationship with its neighbors and how it will shape Israeli politics in years to come.

Benny Gantz and other former senior officers have made careers out of supporting major military operations while presenting themselves as guardians of institutions. Can they really reconcile these two positions, or are they merely playing a PR game with the public?

In Israel today, it’s easy to get lost in the complexities of national identity politics. However, beneath all the sound and fury lies one simple question: what kind of state do we want to be? A Jewish state, yes – but at what cost to our democracy, and to our relationships with our neighbors?

The debate over Israel’s national identity is far from over. In fact, it’s only just beginning. With tensions running high between Israel and its neighbors, and the global economy in turmoil, it’s more important than ever that we understand what drives Israeli politics today – and where it might be heading tomorrow. The politics of occupation may be complex and messy, but one thing is clear: they will shape Israeli politics for years to come.