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Miko Peled: ‘Israel is collapsing from within’

23 October 2026 at 22:21

Benjamin Netanyahu will almost certainly stay as prime minister after Israel’s elections on Tuesday, Miko Peled predicts – but he argues it won’t really matter if he doesn’t.

The Israeli-American author, activist and founder of Palestine House of Freedom in Washington, DC tells Rania Khalek and Zoe Alexandra who wins control of Knesset doesn’t really change things for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank; with challengers like Gadi Eisenkot, the ex-army chief behind the Dahiya doctrine of flattening civilian neighborhoods, and ex-premier and settlement champ Naftali Bennett who vows to block a Palestinian state, the war machine stays the same. But Peled says the ultra-Orthodox fight over the military draft and growing demands for an October 7 investigation are tearing Israeli society apart.

He explains why settler attacks on Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine and Congressional candidate (and liberal zionist) Brad Lander show the state’s true face, pointing out “it’s all settler violence, because they’re all settlers.” Peled warns that a new Israeli attack on Iran could finally test the limits of Tehran’s restraint – and that if Netanyahu falls, Democrats may rush to re-embrace Israel ahead of the midterms, but the honeymoon won’t last. Watch full episodes of BT Live, join breakthroughnews.org as a member today! #breakthroughnews

Da Machado a Pillay: il Nobel che manda su tutte le furie Trump e Netanyahu

By: A A
23 October 2026 at 22:05

Il Nobel per la pace 2026 a Navi Pillay segna una brusca discontinuità rispetto al premio assegnato l’anno precedente a María Corina Machado. La reazione di Donald Trump e Benjamin Netanyahu rivela quanto il nodo del diritto internazionale sia divenuto terreno di scontro geopolitico.

Segue nostro Telegram.

A distanza di appena un anno, il Premio Nobel per la pace sembra aver cambiato completamente direzione. Nell’ottobre 2025, il Comitato norvegese aveva scelto María Corina Machado, principale esponente dell’opposizione venezuelana, premiandola «per il suo instancabile lavoro nella promozione dei diritti democratici del popolo venezuelano e per la sua lotta per ottenere una transizione giusta e pacifica dalla dittatura alla democrazia». Lo scorso 9 ottobre, lo stesso riconoscimento è invece andato alla giurista sudafricana Navanethem “Navi” Pillay «per i suoi sforzi nel promuovere la pace e il diritto internazionale». Dietro la somiglianza delle formule ufficiali, tuttavia, si nascondono due messaggi politici quasi opposti.

Il Nobel a Machado si inseriva infatti in maniera pressoché naturale nel quadro della pressione esercitata da Washington contro il governo venezuelano. L’oppositrice di Nicolás Maduro era da tempo sostenuta apertamente dagli Stati Uniti e da governi latinoamericani allineati con Washington. La scelta del Comitato norvegese rafforzava quindi, indipendentemente dalle intenzioni dichiarate dai suoi membri, una delle parti di un conflitto politico interno sul quale gli Stati Uniti esercitano da anni una forte pressione attraverso sanzioni economiche, riconoscimenti politici selettivi e tentativi di isolamento internazionale del governo bolivariano.

Il rapporto personale fra Machado e Trump rese ancora più evidente questa convergenza. Il giorno stesso dell’assegnazione del premio, nell’ottobre 2025, Trump riferì che la dirigente venezuelana gli aveva telefonato affermando di accettare il Nobel anche in suo onore. Nel gennaio successivo, Machado arrivò poi a consegnare al presidente statunitense la propria medaglia del Nobel, nel tentativo di consolidare il sostegno di Washington alla propria strategia politica in Venezuela. Lo stesso Trump, pochi giorni prima dell’annuncio del premio 2026, ricordava pubblicamente quell’episodio come una sorta di riconoscimento indiretto della propria presunta attività di pacificatore.

Il Nobel 2026 ha prodotto invece un effetto praticamente opposto. Navi Pillay, infatti, non rappresenta un movimento politico sostenuto dagli Stati Uniti contro un governo avversario, ma una tradizione giuridica che rivendica almeno formalmente la possibilità di sottoporre anche le grandi potenze e i loro alleati alle norme del diritto internazionale.

La biografia della nuova vincitrice contribuisce a spiegare la portata della scelta. Sudafricana di origine tamil, Pillay iniziò la propria attività professionale durante l’apartheid, difendendo oppositori politici e battendosi per i diritti di Nelson Mandela e degli altri detenuti del regime segregazionista. Dopo la fine dell’apartheid divenne la prima donna non bianca a sedere nell’Alta Corte sudafricana. In seguito, fu giudice e presidente del Tribunale penale internazionale per il Ruanda, giudice della Corte penale internazionale dal 2003 al 2008 e Alto Commissario delle Nazioni Unite per i diritti umani dal 2008 al 2014. Oggi opera inoltre come giudice ad hoc presso la Corte internazionale di giustizia nel procedimento relativo alle accuse di genocidio contro il Myanmar.

Ma è soprattutto il genocidio del popolo palestinese a Gaza, perpetrato impunemente dal regime nazisionista israeliano, ad aver trasformato il Nobel a Pillay in un caso politico internazionale.

Pillay, infatti, ha presieduto la Commissione internazionale indipendente d’inchiesta istituita dal Consiglio dei diritti umani delle Nazioni Unite sui Territori palestinesi occupati, compresa Gerusalemme Est, e Israele. La Commissione ha concluso nel 2025 che Israele aveva commesso atti costitutivi di genocidio nella Striscia di Gaza, facendo riferimento, tra gli altri elementi, alle enormi perdite civili, alle restrizioni agli aiuti umanitari, alla distruzione sistematica delle strutture sanitarie, all’impatto delle operazioni sui bambini e alle dichiarazioni rese da esponenti politici e militari israeliani.

Da questo punto di vista, l’assegnazione del Nobel non poteva che provocare una reazione particolarmente violenta a Tel Aviv. Netanyahu ha affermato che il Comitato Nobel avrebbe «perso la propria bussola morale», definendo Pillay una persona intollerante che avrebbe costruito la propria carriera diffondendo quelle che il premier israeliano ha definito «calunnie di sangue» contro Israele. Il ministero degli Esteri israeliano ha adottato toni ancora più estremi, arrivando a evocare Joseph Goebbels e sostenendo che il propagandista nazista starebbe «applaudendo dall’inferno» alla decisione del Comitato (mentre, a nostro avviso, applaudirebbe piuttosto gli odiosi crimini commessi dal regime nazisionista).

La risposta israeliana, inoltre, non si limita a contestare le conclusioni della Commissione o l’interpretazione giuridica adottata da Pillay, ma tende a delegittimare l’intero meccanismo internazionale chiamato a giudicare l’operato del regime nazisionista. È una dinamica già emersa nei rapporti con la Corte penale internazionale, che ha emesso un mandato d’arresto contro Netanyahu per presunti crimini di guerra e crimini contro l’umanità, e con la Corte internazionale di giustizia, che ha dichiarato illegale la presenza israeliana nei Territori palestinesi occupati nell’ambito del suo parere consultivo del 2024.

La reazione di Donald Trump è stata diversa nella forma ma altrettanto rivelatrice. Il presidente statunitense, che da tempo conduce una vera e propria campagna personale per ottenere il Nobel, ha definito Pillay una «persona misteriosa» della quale non aveva mai sentito parlare. Ha poi bollato la mancata assegnazione del premio a sé stesso come una decisione «vergognosa e imbarazzante», destinata a lasciare una «macchia indelebile» sulla Norvegia. Secondo Trump, il Nobel sarebbe stato «screditato per sempre» da un gruppo di «ideologi radicali», da lui definiti perfino «nemici della civiltà».

Nelle stesse ore dell’annuncio del Nobel, Washington ha inoltre imposto nuove e molto più ampie sanzioni contro la Corte penale internazionale. L’amministrazione Trump ha annunciato restrizioni destinate a tagliare alla Corte l’accesso a servizi finanziari, tecnologici e commerciali statunitensi, presentando apertamente la misura come parte di un tentativo di indebolirne la capacità operativa. Il segretario di Stato Marco Rubio ha aggiunto che gli Stati Uniti non permetteranno alla CPI di perseguire cittadini statunitensi, definendo la Corte un organismo illegittimo. Dal canto suo, la CPI ha replicato denunciando un attacco allo Stato di diritto e al principio secondo cui nessuno dovrebbe essere posto al di sopra della legge.

Naturalmente, la decisione di assegnare il premio a Navi Pillay non dimostra che il Comitato norvegese sia improvvisamente diventato un organismo estraneo alle logiche politiche occidentali; inoltre, l’assegnazione di un premio non può certo cancellare la lunga storia di selettività che caratterizza l’applicazione del diritto internazionale. Tuttavia, questa volta, il principio riaffermato dal Nobel entra direttamente in collisione con la pretesa delle potenze dominanti di sottrarsi alle stesse regole che esse invocano nei confronti dei propri avversari.

La distanza fra i due premi presi in considerazione mostra dunque anche le contraddizioni interne allo stesso sistema occidentale. Il Nobel a Machado poteva essere perfettamente integrato nella strategia statunitense di pressione sul Venezuela, uno Stato collocato fuori dall’orbita di Washington e legato politicamente ed economicamente a Cina, Russia e ad altri attori del mondo multipolare. Il Nobel a Pillay valorizza invece istituzioni e principi che, quando vengono applicati a Israele o agli stessi Stati Uniti, diventano improvvisamente oggetto di sanzioni, minacce e campagne di delegittimazione.

Le reazioni scomposte di Trump e Netanyahu finiscono così per rafforzare involontariamente il significato politico dell’assegnazione. Entrambi contestano non soltanto la persona di Pillay, ma soprattutto il principio che la sua carriera rappresenta: che la responsabilità per crimini internazionali non dovrebbe dipendere dall’appartenenza a un determinato blocco geopolitico, dalla forza militare di uno Stato o dalla protezione garantita da Washington.

Nel frattempo, la credibilità del diritto internazionale continuerà naturalmente a dipendere dalla capacità di applicare questo principio senza doppi standard. Resta il fatto che, per decenni, le istituzioni occidentali hanno richiamato il diritto internazionale soprattutto nei confronti degli avversari geopolitici, mentre molto più debole è stata la loro capacità di farlo valere quando erano coinvolte le potenze occidentali o i loro alleati. Il caso di Gaza e dei crimini commessi dal regime nazisionista israeliano ha reso questa asimmetria sempre più difficile da occultare.

Cisgiordania, Tajani: “Inaccettabile l’arresto delle 5 donne prese dall’esercito israeliano”. Previsto il rientro sabato

23 October 2026 at 17:29

”Chiediamo la liberazione immediata delle 5 donne che sono state prese dall’esercito israeliano” in Cisgiordania, ”speriamo che possano essere rimandate in Italia nelle prossime ore. È inaccettabile quello che è successo, non stavano commettendo alcun reato”. A parlare è il vice premier e ministro degli Esteri Antonio Tajani che in un punto stampa a Istanbul ha commentato il fermo ieri vicino a Hebron di cinque attiviste italiane da parte dell’esercito israeliano. Il ministero ha poi annunciato che le attiviste rientreranno sabato.

“Non siamo d’accordo. Noi siamo perché il popolo palestinese possa finalmente realizzare il proprio sogno” di uno Stato, “vivendo in pace con Israele che deve avere garantita la propria sicurezza. Ma non è colpendo la popolazione palestinese, soprattutto i pacifici villaggi cristiani, che si risolve il problema della sicurezza di Israele“, ha spiegato poi Antonio Tajani a Istanbul commentando l’annuncio di Netanyahu di una “chiusura totale” della Cisgiordania. “Bisogna disarmare Hamas, bisogna che ci sia stabilità a Gaza, bisogna che i terroristi vengano messi fuori gioco disarmandoli totalmente e questo è un aspetto importante, ma noi non possiamo non riconoscere l’importanza di dar vita ad uno Stato palestinese“.

Ieri la polizia israeliana aveva affermato che alcuni dei fermati sarebbero stati coinvolti nella “promozione del terrorismo” e nell’”esaltazione di attentatori”. L’annuncio era arrivato dopo che la Farnesina ha chiesto chiarimenti urgenti alle autorità israeliane sul fermo delle connazionali, avvenuto mentre accompagnavano agricoltori palestinesi impegnati nella raccolta delle olive. Secondo la polizia israeliana, gli attivisti “hanno violato la legge e si sono nascosti dietro la raccolta delle olive”. Sarebbero entrati “senza coordinamento in una zona militare chiusa”, rifiutando gli ordini delle Forze di difesa israeliane (Idf). Il comunicato riferisce del fermo di undici attivisti stranieri e un palestinese a Hebron, sostenendo che alcuni sarebbero coinvolti anche in “attività di organizzazioni ostili a Israele”.

L'articolo Cisgiordania, Tajani: “Inaccettabile l’arresto delle 5 donne prese dall’esercito israeliano”. Previsto il rientro sabato proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

Israeli military says 2 soldiers were killed in the West Bank attack that also left 2 gunmen dead

Two Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in the occupied West Bank on Friday morning that also left two suspected gunmen dead, the military said, violence that is likely to heighten political tensions and security concerns ahead of Israel's parliamentary election next week.

Ex-Netanyahu confidant Lauder breaks years of silence, warns against PM’s reelection

23 October 2026 at 16:01
World Jewish Congress chief says Israel risks losing US and Diaspora support, backs Eisenkot if forced to choose; recounts rupture with Netanyahu and secret Syria talks that PM abandoned at finish line

Conti correnti negli Emirati e in Israele con miliardi di dollari e bonifici dall’Azerbaigian: il libro che svela gli affari segreti del genero di Trump

23 October 2026 at 16:47

Un conto bancario negli Emirati e uno in Israele dove confluivano miliardi di dollari, bonifici da centinaia di milioni da una banca dell’Azerbaigian, tutto a disposizione del genero e consigliere di Donald Trump, Jared Kushner. Il libro-inchiesta del giornalista di The Intercept, Matthew Cole, Principi e ladri: il complotto segreto di Jared Kushner e Mohamed bin Zayed per rimodellare il Medio Oriente, di cui Vanity Fair ha pubblicato un estratto, svela gli affari segreti dei vertici dell’amministrazione Usa in Medio Oriente e le trame politiche ed economiche tra gli Stati Uniti e i suoi alleati nell’area.

Il racconto si riferisce al primo mandato di Donald Trump e si basa su file entrati in possesso dell’intelligence olandese che il reporter ha potuto visionare. I servizi segreti dei Paesi Bassi hanno ottenuto gli screenshot dell’IphoneX di Kushner tramite dei file trovati sul server di hacker russi e ai quali gli 007 hanno avuto accesso grazie a un agente dell’intelligence russa che ha deciso di diventare un informatore di Amsterdam. Monitorandone l’attività telefonica, sono poi riusciti a scoprire che il genero di Trump aveva accesso a un conto bancario collegato agli Emirati, ma di cui Kushner era firmatario, che veniva foraggiato con 750 milioni di dollari in arrivo da Baku. Quei soldi sarebbero serviti, secondo un testimone sentito da Cole, per finanziare un signore della guerra, un mercenario e un ex sicario. Non un’iniziativa una tantum, ma una pratica abituale: “Sauditi ed emiratini lo fanno una volta all’anno“, spiega un’altra fonte.

C’è poi un altro conto al quale i servizi segreti olandesi sono riusciti a risalire monitorando l’Iphone del genero di Trump. Si tratta di uno aperto nella Banca centrale israeliana, su consiglio diretto del primo ministro Benjamin Netanyahu, e del quale Kushner era il beneficiario. Al suo interno si trovano circa 1 miliardo di dollari. Proprio il premier di Tel Aviv aveva chiesto all’uomo di Trump in Medio Oriente di avvisarlo prima di ogni bonifico.

Kushner, su X, ha respinto ogni accusa sostenendo che queste sono “scandalose e categoricamente false. Sono cose folli e mai accadute“. Cole, continua, “non ha fornito alcuna prova a sostegno. Non è giornalismo, è un miscuglio di fantasia, finzione e propaganda, scritto da qualcuno che è profondamente disturbato o che agisce con intenti sinistri”.

L'articolo Conti correnti negli Emirati e in Israele con miliardi di dollari e bonifici dall’Azerbaigian: il libro che svela gli affari segreti del genero di Trump proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

Netanyahu’s full West Bank lockdown called collective punishment

23 October 2026 at 16:11

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that he has ordered the Israel Defense Force to “immediately impose a lockdown on Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown of the entire” illegally occupied West Bank following a gun battle that reportedly left two Palestinians dead and at least five Israeli soldiers wounded. Following an emergency meeting […]

The post Netanyahu’s full West Bank lockdown called collective punishment appeared first on Asia Times.

Israel is primed for unrest around election day. Is there a way out?

23 October 2026 at 13:13
There’s already violence in the streets, candidates are receiving death threats and a specter of war looms over the country. And that’s before any ballots have been counted

Trump and Netanyahu want to ‘finish the job’ on Iran

By: A A
23 October 2026 at 13:00

By Philip GIRALDI

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Contact us: info@strategic-culture.su

How many more innocent people will die?

If one were seeking to create something like a modern-day folk tale based on current realities and having the theme of “good versus evil” there are any number of real-life narratives available that could be exploited to invite speculation on actual environments that might have served as models for the fiction. I have found much of the bizarre and blood-soaked evil relationship between the United States and Israel, which serves no US interest at all, to be one such arrangement in which two countries have through their own behavior become the most hated in the world. They have successfully established an odd partnership based largely on a common view of which other nations they hate and would like to destroy.

One must consider the monstrous joined-at-the-hip relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv, which is likely soon to become a true military and policy partnership by act of Congress. It will leverage the already existing ability of tiny Israel to manipulate and dominate the large and powerful United States. And there is also something else that should be reckoned with in the arrangement, and that is melding of the desire of the two countries to dominate not only their neighbors but also far beyond that. One can cite the aberrations in behavior that reveal how neither government wants to get along with other nations except in those rare cases where America and the Jewish state are accepted and even honored in spite of not being bound by any rules, decency or even democratic norms.

A prime example of how the completely murderous pathology that guides both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that has come to dominate the relationship surfaced last week when Trump endorsed Netanyahu in the upcoming Israeli election. It was a case of two completely evil men finding common ground to congratulate themselves and advance their respective careers, which nearly all of the rest of the world would like to terminate!

Both men are in trouble with their respective electorates in large part because their obsession with endlessly killing anyone annoying be it in the Caribbean or Gaza, has become suspect, largely because the killing is without any actual objective and no real good comes out of the process. This is particularly true for voters in the US who have suffered the bullying by Israel and its domestic Lobby and also bear the tax burden and shortages that are the only fruit that falls from the trees of the conflicts. In Israel the equation is somewhat different as 90% of the Jewish voters want to eradicate even more Muslims and Christians and fully support a new Prime Minister who will kill even more of the vermin.

Observe what a brain dead Trump has to say about his good buddy Netanyahu in a shared phone call in which they first exchanged pledges that they would soon “finish the job,” the “job” in question being the “extermination” of Iran and most particularly its government. Bibi told Trump “Donald, we have a job to finish. You said it, and we’ll finish it together. We’ll finish it, and no one else will do it.” Bibi explained later how “I have spoken about this with President Trump more than once, including the day before yesterday… Finishing the job means bringing down the terrorist regime in Iran. It is the head of this poisonous octopus. You cut it off, and it will fall. We will also have peace with Lebanon. We must complete the elimination of the Iranian regime — that is the primary objective.”

Trump then responded in kind, telling Netanyahu that “You’re a warrior, and you’ve been treated unfairly by your country and from some others … but you’re a great warrior, and we will prove that. We will prove that very soon. I think you’re terrific, Bibi … You’re the man I want by my side, Bibi.” On Truth Social Trump later elaborated how “Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran.” He is “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant, the kind of Partner that the United States of America is demanding of Israel, a Country for which it has done so much.”

Clearly Netanyahu wants to get reelected to stay out of jail for corruption, apart from anything else, and he knows that unconditional support from the United States is essential to achieve that end and keep the wars in Lebanon, Syria and Iran going. What the two monsters were pledging was the total destruction of a nation of 90 million people that prior to the war initiated by Israel and the US had not threatened in any way either nation. That means it was per the Geneva Convention a war crime and besides which it is a violation of the War Powers Act and the US Constitution that Trump had sworn to support. Israel was admittedly the driving force behind the war against Iran, which has done huge damage to the world economy, because it saw the country as a political-military competitor in the Middle East region and Netanyahu was able to convince a stupid and willfully ignorant Trump that the war would be over in a week or two, a walk-over.

In a move that is being interpreted as an additional American support for Netanyahu in the upcoming election, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday and met with the Prime Minister. The talks reportedly took place at the Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where US refueling planes and fighter jets are deployed. Hegseth also met with some US troops. As Netanyahu and President Trump have discussed the possibility of restarting the full-scale bombing campaign against Iran the appearance and timing of the Hegseth visit, as he is the strongest supporter of resuming strikes on Iran within the administration, suggests that the war will soon be resuming.

Beyond the depressing likelihood that the war against Iran will soon start up again, there is the language employed by Trump, which as usual is inane. So Bibi is a “great warrior”? That comes from a draft dodger who avoided US military service in 1968 not for any moral reason but because it was inconvenient for him so his father arranged for a Jewish doctor to fake the records for a medical deferment. Trump had “bone spurs,” a condition largely unheard of in the real world before Trump came up with it on paper. And now the draft dodger is praising a “great warrior” who sends his men and women out to shoot three year olds as part of a regime that has been killing children systematically and without any consequences since the conflict with Gaza began.

And, unfortunately, the bad news is still coming. There is no doubt Trump has been the most servile president in US history when it comes to his constant supporting Israel even when it carries out genocide and kills American citizens. Trump has never failed to obey Netanyahu, but, it must be observed, he has only done slightly more so than Biden and the Democrats did when they preceded him in office. So one should have doubts that a possible change-over in the US Congress and Senate, where Israeli flags can be seen flying in some of the offices, is going to make much difference when it comes to the United States “standing with our best friend and closest ally Israel.”

Original article:  www.unz.com

Netanyahu stakes his re-election on the promise of another war with Iran and opposition to Arab parties

23 October 2026 at 11:56

In October 2023, as the initial shock of Hamas’s attack was giving way to the realization that it had been the greatest security failure in Israel’s seven decades of statehood, few believed that Benjamin Netanyahu would still be prime minister three years later. Fewer still thought that a country used to broad coalitions and early elections — having gone to the polls on average every 2.4 years between 1996 and the last election in 2022 — would complete a full parliamentary term this time. And fewer still imagined both things happening at once: that after four years of controversy and war, Netanyahu would enter the final stretch of the election campaign, with Israelis due to vote on Tuesday, less popular and less supported than before, yet still with a realistic chance of remaining in power. “I will not surrender,” reads one campaign poster bearing his image.

Seguir leyendo

© Ariel Schalit (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Benjamin Netanyahu, this Thursday in Tel Aviv.

Israeli setrike on Iran is imminent | w/ Trita Parsi

22 October 2026 at 21:15

Trita Parsi puts the odds of a new round of US-Israeli war on Iran at 90% – and it could start as soon as this weekend. The US and Israeli militaries have plans for renewed strikes after the midterms, the New York Times reports; three aircraft carriers are en route to the region, and Netanyahu, trailing ahead of Tuesday’s elections, says he’s ordered Israel’s military and Mossad to topple Iran’s government. Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, tells Rania Khalek and Zoe Alexandra why Trump’s third round will be far worse than the first two.

Parsi argues that Trump, initially driven by hubris, is now out for revenge against a Tehran he believes is deliberately dragging out the war to destroy his presidency. He explains why time is on Iran’s side; how Washington is spinning the war of attrition in the Strait of Hormuz; why soaring gas prices make the war impossible to tune out; and why even European conservatives say the protests sweeping the continent are fueled by the war’s economic fallout. Parsi warns Netanyahu may see escalation as the Hail Mary pass he needs to lock in his legacy, and says that if Democrats take control of Congress, they’ll have the power to stop this – and will be complicit if they don’t.

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Rough transcript follows:
[Interviewer:]

It’s very difficult to see this war lead to a scenario in which the impact on the global economy is sufficiently insignificant for it not to translate to any political changes. If you look at the polls right now, the top issues motivating people in this election are inflation and gas prices. That’s all due to the Iran war. Nearly eight months ago, the US and Israel launched a very destructive war on Iran, killing the Supreme Leader and disrupting global oil markets. Trump wanted a quick knockout, but instead, he got a war he can’t contain, a stalemate that nobody seems able to break, and a deal to end it that looks further away than ever.

Somehow, this war has become background noise in the US, and the next round may already be on the calendar. The New York Times reports that the US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms. This campaign would hit energy infrastructure, nuclear sites, and Iran’s missile and drone arsenal. They came close to doing this earlier this month before Trump pulled the plug at the last minute. Now, three aircraft carriers and thousands of Marines are on the way. Netanyahu, trailing in the polls ahead of next week’s elections in Israel, says he’s ordered the military to prepare for preemptive action and to topple the regime. Iran’s intelligence assessments suggest strikes could come even before Israel votes on Tuesday. The White House says nothing happens before the midterms. Meanwhile, the State Department has ordered non-emergency staff and their families out of Saudi Arabia, and the AFP cites a diplomatic source saying families of embassy staff in the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain have been ordered out as well.

Netanyahu is making big threats a week before elections. Trump says this time the fight will be neither quick nor limited, with no restraints. So what breaks this stalemate? Is escalation the only way out? And who can last longer, Iran or Washington? Joining us now to discuss all of this is Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute. Trita, welcome back to BT Live.

[Trita Parsi:]

Good to be with you.

[Interviewer:]

You are putting the odds of a new round of war at 90%. That’s quite high. The New York Times says the plans are drawn up and carriers are on their way. Why are you and the New York Times so confident? Some US planners think that three days of intense strikes will manage to break Iran’s economy and force concessions. Is that a serious theory?

[Trita Parsi:]

First of all, it’s kind of insulting to say that the New York Times and I are on the same page on this. I’m just kidding. But look, I’ve been warning about this for more than five weeks now that a third round was extremely likely because of a couple of factors. What we’re seeing now is more the motions necessary to bring about this disastrous third round being put in place. The signs and the logic as to why we were going in this direction were clear to me several weeks ago because Trump, at the end of the day, his psychology does not allow for him to lose. He is willing to sacrifice everything to win.

Earlier on, he thought that the MOU and a diplomatic deal could end the story in a way that made the war look worth it or at least acceptable. But he had a bad experience with the MOU. He got attacked for it by Democrats, Republicans, the pro-Israel crowd, everyone. He realized the political cost was very high. So now he thinks diplomacy won’t end it acceptably. Blockade won’t end it acceptably, even though they’re putting forward this mythology that they’re winning on the blockade. And the limited amount of war he’s had won’t do it. So now the only thing he hasn’t tried is this all-out war that he threatened several times but never did—taking out Iran’s oil infrastructure, energy infrastructure, desalination plants, critical infrastructure. He avoided that, knowing it would lead to massive retaliation by the Iranians against GCC infrastructure, which would throw the global economy into a depression. But now he doesn’t seem to care. The midterms are over, and he’s just looking to do something that brings this to an end on his terms.

There’s another element that makes matters worse now, which is last time he went in with hubris. He thought he could do this in four days. The Israelis had sold him that mythology. He had managed to do Venezuela quickly, so he was very confident. This time, it’s not hubris bringing him back; it’s vindictiveness. He’s very angry about the war’s outcome so far. He believes the Iranians deliberately dragged things out to destroy his presidency, and to a certain extent, they have. Now there’s this new element of revenge. So we may very well go towards a third disastrous round of war, not because of a flawed geopolitical miscalculation, but because of one man’s desire for vengeance.

[Interviewer:]

It’s truly tanking the global economy, putting tens of thousands of lives at risk because of vengeance. Trump has previously vetoed a major return to combat, including at the last minute earlier this month. He’s pulled back from major threats repeatedly. The White House says no strikes before midterms. Iran’s intelligence says it could come before Israel votes on Tuesday. Which clock is correct? If the Republicans lose Congress, can Democrats stop a possible escalation? Will they?

[Trita Parsi:]

Unfortunately, not to the extent that they should be. It’s perhaps a different political calculation before the midterms versus after. But with the MOU, there were Democrats who should have known better, who played a fantastic role in the JCPOA, who now returned a favor to the Republicans by doing bad faith attacks against the MOU. It contributed to the MOU collapsing. It’s not the only reason, but it contributed to Trump’s conception that a deal with Iran is not a win because of the high political price, a conception every previous American president has had. It’s interesting that Trump didn’t have it. It’s part of why he was willing to strike a deal with Iran, willing to strike a deal with North Korea because he was immune to the idea of a political cost for such an agreement. But that’s changed, and the Democrats contributed to it.

After the midterms, it will be critical for Democrats to do everything they can, from using the power of the purse to other means, to put an end to this war. Once they’re in control of the House and particularly if they also control the Senate, they’re no longer bystanders. They’re complicit if this is allowed to continue because they will have the power to stop it.

[Interviewer:]

There’s so much damage incurred from this war, obviously not as much as the Iranian side, but it still stands to be seen just how deep that damage can go. Iranian officials are now talking about expanding targets to data centers and undersea internet cables. Iran analysts floated hitting Saudi refineries like Aramco to spike oil prices. A top adviser to Ghalibaf called the idea of that 72-hour war a fantasy. What does the next round look like from Iran’s side? How much more can they escalate? Why do you think Iran has decided to wait out Trump rather than cut any more deals?

[Trita Parsi:]

I spoke to a senior advisor to a European president who’s no longer in office, not particularly unsympathetic to Trump. I asked him about the protests around Europe, not just in France, but in many other countries. How much of that is driven by the economic consequences of this war? To my surprise, he said overwhelmingly, a lot of it has to do with the economic consequences of this war. The focus is often on immigration, but it’s not the driving force. Even someone from the right, more on the anti-immigrant side, said what we’re seeing in Europe is largely driven by the economic consequences of this war. The global repercussions so far, in the first two rounds, are going to be benign compared to the third round, which will become overwhelming.

The other part of your question, if you could repeat?

[Interviewer:]

I was wondering why Iran has decided to wait out Trump rather than cut any more deals.

[Trita Parsi:]

That’s a very good question. In this war of attrition, the Iranians have been comfortable—not in the sense that they’re not hurting, but because they believe time is on their side. The Trump administration is putting forward a different story, saying they’re winning. They won the battle of Hormuz, more volume is coming out of the Strait of Hormuz, and they’re winning the war of attrition. Yet, it’s the US and Israel about to start this war, which tells you something about who actually is winning that war of attrition. The administration has been successful not because of their brilliance but because of the lack of brilliance in the media and analytical core. They said focus only on the volume of oil coming out, not the cost or oil prices. The impression was that the war of attrition is being won by the American side, and if anyone wanted to escalate, it would have been the Iranians. But reality seems to be the opposite.

Israel goes to vote on October 27th. If Netanyahu loses, he’ll be a caretaker, and technically, it would be hard for him to launch a war. Some analysts think he could use the threat of an imminent strike to force his rivals into a unity government. Are these threats about Iran or about keeping his job, or is that essentially the same?

[Trita Parsi:]

I think they’re pretty much one and the same. I’m not convinced that being a caretaker would make it more difficult for him to start. There will be resistance from within the security establishment, but the resistance may be higher because they’re worried he’ll start this war to impact the elections or force their postponement. The chief of staff of the army has publicly said this. Once the elections are over, and it’s in the process of forming a coalition, I’m not convinced he won’t have the ability to start a war, and certainly not convinced he wouldn’t want to. If he feels he’s about to lose the coalition, this would be his last chance for his legacy to do what his secretary of defense said is the Israeli objective: bomb Iran back to the stone age, shift the balance of power in the region so dramatically that Israel will no longer have a problem with Iran providing any deterrence against Israel. That has been the Israeli objective, and the Israelis are so openly talking about it, yet it almost never translates to any real conversation in Washington.

[Interviewer:]

Lastly, before we let you go, this war has really fallen off the front page. It’s become so normalized, like background noise. Do you think there’s a risk that opposition to this war fades because it’s becoming a kind of forever war that people just tune out, or is it too damaging to the global economy to stay a forever war?

[Trita Parsi:]

Part of the reason the US could have forever wars was because the political cost of ending the war was higher than the political cost of continuing a losing war, which was because the cost of continuing the war was relatively low. In Afghanistan, it was not good, but as long as casualties were low, the anger never reached a critical mass. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan had no significant impact on the economy or oil markets in the manner that this war has had. It’s difficult to see this war lead to a scenario where the impact on the global economy is insignificant enough not to translate to political changes. If you look at the polls, the top issues motivating people in this election are inflation and gas prices, all due to the Iran war. Corruption ranks even higher, but both sides believe the other is corrupt, whereas with the Iran war, there’s no debate about who started it and why. The risk of escalation is far greater than the opportunities for de-escalation, which does not lend itself to an endless, low-intensity war that just continues. It could be a long war with highs and lows, still costly, but not just simmering in the background.

[Interviewer:]

Real quick, put a number on it. You believe there’s going to be another round starting this weekend. Since you like percentages, put a percentage on it.

[Trita Parsi:]

I put it at 90%. It could only change if Trump changes his mind. He’s been on the point of approving something and changed his mind seven times. We can’t have a situation like this continue without him agreeing at some point. That’s why the odds are the way they are. He’s not going to constantly back off last minute. At some point, he’s going to say yes, go through with it, and all of us are going to pay the price for it.

[Interviewer:]

Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, always appreciate your analysis. Thank you so much for joining us.

[Trita Parsi:]

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

West Bank’s olive harvest marked by increased violence

22 October 2026 at 23:44

Days before Israel’s legislative elections, scheduled for October 27, Israeli forces escalated military activities across the West Bank. Observers speculate that the Israeli government may carry through with its threat to escalate its assaults on Palestinians in the occupied territory.

These speculations are apparently based on the results of the early polls, which showed the bloc of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a tight race with its competitors and facing a likely political deadlock.

On Tuesday, October 20, the Israeli military announced a 24-hour military drill across the West Bank that involved gunfire, explosions, and increased movements of soldiers, aircraft, and military vehicles.

Concurrently, security measures against Palestinians and their supporters have been further tightened. On Tuesday, October 21, the Israeli forces briefly detained 80 US, British, and Israeli volunteers assisting Palestinians harvesting olives west of the southern West Bank governorate of Bethlehem.

The detainees included the New York Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander, a group of rabbis, and Israel’s former deputy attorney general.

Commenting on the incident, Lander wrote in a post on X:

“I’ve been detained by the IDF, along with a group of rabbis & volunteers. We were simply harvesting olives in a grove near Nehalim in the West Bank.”

“The occupation is a crime under international law. Harvesting olives isn’t a crime under any law I know,” the congressional candidate continued, although he calls himself a “liberal Zionist.”

The Israeli military stated that the mass detention of activists was carried out because they did not submit requests to the relevant authorities in advance for necessary coordination “to ensure the security of the area and maintain public order.”

Settler violence

The incident occurred amid an unprecedented escalation of settler violence in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest season.

The last couple of weeks saw horrific settler attacks carried out under the protection of the Israeli forces. Those attacks caused injuries not only to Palestinians, but also international activists, journalists, and diplomats from other countries.

Damage to Palestinian agricultural lands and the looting of crops has also been reported over the same period.

On Friday, October 16, veteran Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine (63) was beaten by a crowd of masked Israeli settlers, while covering the olive harvest in Abu Falah village northeast of Ramallah, although she was wearing a helmet and a protective vest clearly labeled “PRESS” on both sides.

One day later, a delegation of European diplomats was attacked by a group of masked colonists in the village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah, during a visit to the area to support Palestinian farmers harvesting olives.

The Israeli forces also intensified military raids in different parts of the West Bank in recent days, detaining Palestinian traffic police for hours. 

Many believe the incident aimed to break the morale of the Palestinian people by exposing the helplessness of the Palestinian security apparatus in the face of Israel as an occupying power. 

Meanwhile, others viewed it as a provocation of the Palestinian Authority and its security forces, in a bid to push them for an armed confrontation with the Israeli forces. A scenario that the Israeli government has already laid the groundwork for as per recent statements from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

European Parliament Awards Sakharov Prize to ICC Amid Escalating US Sanctions

22 October 2026 at 14:35

The European Parliament has awarded the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials, recognising the Hague-based tribunal’s work in investigating and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Announcing the decision in Strasbourg on Thursday, 22 October, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the award reflected the European Union’s commitment to multilateralism and international institutions.

Metsola praised the Court for its work in upholding international law and justice. The announcement was met with a standing ovation in the parliamentary chamber.

The decision comes amid an escalating confrontation between the European Union and the administration of US President Donald Trump over the ICC’s jurisdiction and independence.

Washington’s sanctions against the Court

On 9 October, the United States imposed sanctions on the ICC as an institution, extending measures previously directed against individual judges and prosecutors.

The restrictions place the Court under the US Treasury’s sanctions regime, limiting financial transactions involving American individuals, businesses and institutions. Washington has issued several temporary and limited exemptions intended to allow specified operations to continue.

The measures followed earlier sanctions against senior ICC officials, including Court President Tomoko Akane, and form part of Washington’s campaign to prevent the tribunal from exercising jurisdiction over American personnel.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has argued that the ICC threatens American sovereignty by asserting authority over nationals of countries that have not accepted its founding treaty.

The Court rejected the latest restrictions, describing them as an attempt to obstruct the administration of international justice.

Established under the Rome Statute, the ICC operates independently of national governments and investigates serious international crimes where its jurisdictional requirements are satisfied.

Neither the United States nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute.

Arrest warrants involving Russia and Israel

The dispute with Washington has intensified since the ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity connected with military operations in Gaza.

Israel rejects the Court’s jurisdiction and disputes the allegations. Washington has similarly opposed the proceedings against Israeli officials.

The ICC has also pursued investigations into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In March 2023, its judges issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, over the alleged unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.

Further warrants followed in 2024 against senior Russian military commanders and officials in connection with attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.

The proceedings demonstrate the geographical scope of the Court’s investigations, although its ability to secure arrests depends heavily on cooperation from individual states.

The ICC has no independent police force and relies on national authorities to execute its warrants.

European Parliament backs international justice

The ICC’s nomination for the Sakharov Prize was submitted by the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament.

Its selection comes as European lawmakers examine how the EU should respond to American sanctions affecting the Court and organisations supporting its activities.

The October restrictions have raised practical questions about access to banking, technology services and other infrastructure required by the tribunal.

European governments must also consider how to support an institution established through an international treaty while maintaining relations with Washington.

The Sakharov Prize carries no legal authority to reverse American sanctions or compel governments to cooperate with ICC investigations. Nevertheless, the award represents an explicit institutional endorsement of the tribunal at a time when its operations face increasing external pressure.

Other nominees and award ceremony

The ICC was selected from three finalists announced earlier this month.

The other nominees were Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu and Iranian sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, whose cases have attracted international attention over political persecution and judicial proceedings.

The Sakharov Prize, established by the European Parliament in 1988, is named after Soviet physicist, dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov.

It recognises individuals and organisations defending human rights, freedom of expression and fundamental liberties. The award includes €50,000.

Previous recipients include Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai and imprisoned journalists.

In 2025, the prize was awarded jointly to Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut and Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.

The formal presentation of the 2026 prize is scheduled for 16 December at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

The award places the ICC alongside previous Sakharov laureates while drawing further attention to the unresolved dispute between Washington and European governments over international criminal jurisdiction.

New U.S. and Israeli Military Actions Against Iran Would Be Underway

22 October 2026 at 14:21

Operations targeting facilities linked to the Iranian nuclear program are being evaluated.

On Wednesday, U.S. media outlets reported on the possibility of new U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, amid persistent tensions between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran.

RELATED: Netanyahu Orders to ‘Topple the Iranian Regime’

Authorities from both countries are reportedly evaluating various scenarios related to “regional security” and the Iranian nuclear program, considered a major source of “concern” for its Western allies.

Among the options being considered are operations targeting facilities linked to the Iranian nuclear program, including infrastructure considered strategic by Western intelligence and defense services.

Speculation has intensified following the recent visit to Israel by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

An investigation published by The New York Times indicates that any far-reaching decision could come after the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for next November.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz: "I said Southern Lebanon would become Gaza. We applied the Rafah model. Destroy everything. 24 villages flattened. 15,000-20,000 homes destroyed. Infrastructure demolished."

Only Israel can brag about committing genocide in broad daylight -…

— Ounka (@OunkaOnX) July 12, 2026

In addition to a potential military response, reports suggest the possibility of increased economic pressure on Iran through new sanctions and financial restrictions.

U.S. President Donald Trump has not publicly confirmed the adoption of new measures, although the matter continues to be debated in strategic circles in Washington and Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that his country’s occupatory forces are prepared to act “preventively” and “defensively” against any possible Iranian attack during the Israeli electoral process scheduled for October 27.

Katz asserted that the army is “ready to intervene” immediately in operational and intelligence matters, while Iranian authorities have reiterated that they will respond proportionally to any aggression.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | During a meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Baku, Azerbaijan, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Israel to halt and reverse the establishment of settlements in the West Bank, which is occupied Palestinian territory. pic.twitter.com/xm7RduwpW6

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 19, 2026

teleSUR: JP

Source: EFE – teleSUR

US and Israel develop plans to attack Iran after the midterms

22 October 2026 at 10:00

Washington and Israel have devised new plans to strike Iran again after the U.S. midterm elections, The New York Times reports, citing senior U.S. officials and other sources. The planning comes as the armed forces of both countries have stepped up military maneuvers in the region to rehearse bombing missions, and as the State Department has ordered nonessential embassy staff and their families to evacuate Saudi Arabia amid the prospect of possible new attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. It also comes as Israel prepares for an election in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is fighting for re-election.

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© Vahid Salemi (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A portrait of Mojtaba Khamenei in a Tehran square.

Netanyahu Orders to ‘Topple the Iranian Regime’

21 October 2026 at 17:14

The Zionist leader claims U.S. President Trump agrees with the Israeli approach.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Army, the Mossad intelligence agency and the rest of the security services to “topple the regime of Iran.”

RELATED:

Netanyahu Orders Prosecution of Israeli Soldiers Who Exposed Gaza Crimes in Documentary “Naza

During a graduation ceremony for army officers, the Zionist leader maintained that the Persian nation has “resumed its efforts to acquire weapons,” which would represent “an existential threat” to Israel.

Netanyahu asserted that he had conveyed this position to U.S. President Donald Trump during a telephone conversation held on Monday, and claimed that the Republican leader agreed with his approach.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz asserted that the Iranian regime “is going through the moment of greatest weakness in its history,” and warned that this situation could push it to adopt extreme measures against Israel.

US and Israel must 'finish' the job

— Netanyahu calls for resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran, according to FT, citing sources pic.twitter.com/J73zmUBbwC

— RT Intl (@RT_on_X) October 21, 2026

“Our message to the Iranian regime is clear: we see its attempts, we are prepared to thwart them, and we are ready to respond with all our strength. If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn!” he said.

A security source cited by Israel’s Channel 12 television, however, maintains that the security services have no record of the information presented by Netanyahu, and therefore expressed concern about the possibility that it was erroneous information.

The Financial Times reported that the Zionist prime minister is pressing to resume large-scale attacks against Iran and even prepared a plan to do so ten days ago, although he ultimately did not go ahead with it because of Trump’s opposition.

On Monday, without prior announcement, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Israel to meet with Netanyahu, with whom he held a conversation about the Middle East situation, according to what a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister’s office told EFE.

With that background, the leader of Israel’s leftist Democrats party, Yair Golan, warned on Wednesday about possible military campaigns “for political purposes” ordered by Netanyahu a few days before the general elections in Israel.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

Netanyahu ha nutrito la destra che ora minaccia di divorarlo

21 October 2026 at 03:45

Per leggere il complesso scenario elettorale di un Israele in cui si voterà il 27 ottobre, è indispensabile avere presente innanzitutto una delle ragioni di fondo della sua fluidità e imprevedibilità, una delle caratteristiche della democrazia israeliana. Oggi, infatti, ben 38 partiti si presentano al voto e di questi sicuramente 25, ma più probabilmente 28-30, non supereranno la soglia di sbarramento del 3,25 per cento, provocando così una grande dispersione dei suffragi. Un voto inutile e disperso che nel 2022 è stato pari all’8,8 per cento dei voti espressi, con cui si sarebbero potuti eleggere ben 10 parlamentari. Partiti strani, o addirittura bizzarri: c’è il partito della Cannabis, quello dei Pirati, quello che propugna il matrimonio universale, un altro che vuole la monarchia costituzionale, ovviamente quello che vuole abolire le tasse e persino quello che vuole trasferire la popolazione ebraica di Israele su un’isola artificiale nel Mediterraneo.

È questo, dunque, l’effetto di un tratto tipico della democrazia israeliana, partecipativa a ogni costo. Per presentare una lista al voto per la Knesset è infatti sufficiente fondare un partito con solo 100 iscritti, con organi dirigenti e statuto, e comunque il controllo della Corte Suprema è limitato a poche, ovvie condizioni. Il tutto è dovuto a un’esasperata attenzione a dare possibilità di rappresentatività in Parlamento ai tanti volti dell’ebraismo forgiati nei millenni della diaspora e poi nel ritorno. Proprio questo cosciente privilegiare la rappresentatività anche a scapito della governabilità, che impone un sistema elettorale proporzionale, è all’origine, negli ultimi decenni, di un fenomeno fortissimo di fluidità elettorale e addirittura delle cinque elezioni anticipate nell’arco di tre anni tra il 2019 e il 2022, dopo la morte e la scomparsa di tutti i leader storici del sionismo e di tutti i loro partiti storici, fatto salvo il Likud.

A questo si sommano la nascita e la rapida scomparsa di tanti effimeri partiti di opposizione al Likud e la debolezza politica delle figure a capo dell’opposizione a Benjamin Netanyahu, che invece ha una forte capacità e caratura da leader, che gli va riconosciuta e che è alla base dei suoi 19 anni di governo. Basti pensare alla figura opaca dello scialbo ex generale Benny Gantz, che sino al 2022 è stato il leader delle forze di contrasto al leader del Likud, che nel 2019, con il suo partito Blu e Bianco, era riuscito a essere il primo partito con il 25,95 per cento e 33 seggi e che invece ora non riuscirà neanche a superare la soglia di sbarramento del 3,25 per cento e infatti ha dichiarato che si ritira. Lo stesso ex generale Gadi Eisenkot, il cui partito è stato appena formato e che oggi è dato dai sondaggi come il più votato, non ha alcuna esperienza politica o di governo, ha un’oratoria lenta, conosce a malapena l’inglese e soprattutto non è riuscito a farsi indicare dai leader degli altri partiti dell’attuale opposizione (Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid, Avigdor Lieberman e Yoav Golan) come unico candidato premier contro Netanyahu, all’interno di una dinamica di sterile concorrenza tra leader alleati molto simile a quella del Campo Largo in Italia.

Una sola cosa è però chiara sulle cruciali elezioni in Israele, stando alla netta maggioranza delle rilevazioni pre-voto: Netanyahu ha perso la sua maggioranza, come indicano le rilevazioni della quasi unanimità dei sondaggi. La sua coalizione di governo è infatti quotata tra i 49 e i 51 seggi (la maggioranza alla Knesset è a 61 seggi), contro i 63 attuali (solo Canale 14, filo Netanyahu, gliene attribuisce 62). Israel Hayom, il più diffuso quotidiano israeliano, fondato nel 2007 proprio ed esclusivamente per sostenerlo, ma oggi molto critico, gliene attribuisce 50. Si vedrà ora quali effetti avrà sui votanti israeliani la tardiva sponsorizzazione a suo netto favore da parte di Donald Trump, ma non è affatto detto che sia decisiva.

Il problema vero, però, sempre secondo i sondaggi, è che il blocco dell’attuale opposizione è fermo tra i 54 e i 57 seggi e quindi non avrebbe la maggioranza, anche se potrebbe essere molto favorito in termini di seggi dalla decisione di Benny Gantz di ritirarsi dal voto e dovrebbe quindi incamerare come voti utili quelli del suo 1-2 per cento, che sarebbe andato disperso.

Ma in Israele c’è un terzo protagonista: i partiti arabi, a cui vengono attribuiti complessivamente 13-15 seggi. Il fatto è che, almeno prima dell’apertura delle urne, i partiti dell’opposizione a Netanyahu negano di voler fare un governo con il loro supporto (a urne chiuse, si vedrà). Torneremo più avanti su questo snodo cruciale.

Innanzitutto, una notazione politica fondamentale. La sciagurata decisione di Netanyahu nel 2022 di legittimare con la sua alleanza l’estrema destra non sionista di Itamar Ben Gvir, facendolo entrare nella Knesset con 6 deputati, ha trasformato il leader del Likud in un apprendista stregone. Infatti, questo violento e ignorante demagogo parafascista, che pure sino ad allora non era mai riuscito a entrare in Parlamento (nel 2020 aveva raccolto un indicativo 0,42 per cento), grazie al suo populismo, ai suoi cappi esibiti in Parlamento, alla legge sulla pena di morte solo per i palestinesi e al suo appoggio ai coloni suprematisti e razzisti, non solo ora è quotato dai sondaggi in grado di eleggere otto deputati, ma soprattutto, dopo avere fagocitato i voti di Bezalel Smotrich, meno demagogo di lui, ora aspira dichiaratamente a diventare premier, sostituendo un Netanyahu che è costretto a fare larga parte della campagna elettorale proprio contro di lui. Un indicativo precedente dell’«effetto Vannacci» sulla destra italiana.

In questo contesto, nel caso molto probabile, ma non certo, che i sondaggi abbiano ragione e che nessuno consegua quota 61 seggi alla Knesset, questi sono gli scenari possibili.

Primo scenario: un governo di minoranza guidato dall’ex generale Eisenkot, leader del partito più votato, con tutti i partiti di opposizione e che può ottenere la fiducia grazie all’astensione o all’uscita dall’aula dei partiti arabi (i cittadini arabi di Israele sono due milioni e centomila, il 21 per cento della popolazione).

Questo scenario è probabile, anche se è rigettato da Lieberman e rifiutato dallo stesso Eisenkot, perché non solo è nelle corde del partito Ra’am di Mansour Abbas, che già nel 2021 ha dimostrato grande flessibilità entrando nel governo di Bennett, ma anche perché gli altri partiti arabi della Joint List pare abbiano finalmente compreso che il loro storico estremismo islamista e jihadista non paga e che è l’ora di iniziare a fare politica. Il leader di questa alleanza tra tre partiti arabi, Yousef Jabareen, ha infatti «giurato di mettere in atto tutti gli strumenti e le scelte possibili pur di affossare la possibilità che Netanyahu formi un governo», e la strada dell’astensione è la più praticabile. Questa astensione non implicherebbe nessuna alleanza formale, ma impedirebbe a questo eventuale esecutivo di varare qualsiasi provvedimento contro gli arabi israeliani e anzi lo spingerebbe ad annullare l’orrore della legge sulla pena di morte solo per i palestinesi.

Si può anche ipotizzare che questo scenario potrebbe essere rafforzato dalla nomina a ministro per la Sicurezza urbana (è questo il principale problema della minoranza araba a causa delle mafie palestinesi) del sionista ed ex dirigente della polizia israeliana Yoav Segalovitz. Con eccellente intelligenza strategica, infatti, Mansour Abbas, leader del partito arabo Ra’am, lo ha inserito in lista al secondo posto, facendo sì che si vedranno decine di migliaia di elettori arabi israeliani votare per un poliziotto sionista (a proposito dell’accusa di apartheid allo Stato ebraico). Molto poco probabile, se non impossibile, sarà invece un accordo formale di governo tra le forze di opposizione e il partito arabo Ra’am, con la nomina di suoi ministri. Lo choc del 7 ottobre in Israele è tale e tanto radicato ed esteso che quello che è apparso come un’eccellente novità nel 2021 può essere percepito come una minaccia nel 2026.

La forza dell’ipotesi di un governo di minoranza permesso dall’astensione dei partiti arabi, o di un solo partito arabo, sta nel fatto che aprirebbe una fase di sedimentazione politica in cui alcuni parlamentari del Likud potrebbero rispondere alle incitazioni molto forti, già espresse da Lieberman, ad abbandonare finalmente il Likud di Netanyahu e passare con le attuali forze di opposizione, in modo da poter raggiungere in tempi brevi la quota di 61 deputati e varare un governo autosufficiente e non più subordinato all’astensione dei parlamentari arabi, come è peraltro suggerito da vari media israeliani.

Secondo scenario: il varo di un governo di unità nazionale, che è oggi quello che Netanyahu propone e caldeggia con vigore in campagna elettorale per riparare alla disastrosa e probabile perdita di voti della sua coalizione, che ha governato negli ultimi quattro anni. Un governo che escluda le estreme, quindi Ben Gvir e la sinistra unita di Yair Golan (accreditata tra gli 8 e gli 11 seggi). È questa la strada che Netanyahu avrebbe dovuto intraprendere dopo il 7 ottobre, come fece il laburista Levi Eshkol che, alla vigilia della guerra dei Sei giorni nel 1967, fece entrare nel governo il suo irriducibile oppositore di destra Menachem Begin, fondatore del Likud. Invece, Netanyahu – sintomo indiscutibile della sua miopia strategica – ha preferito legarsi e subire le pressioni della destra parafascista di Ben Gvir e Smotrich nella conduzione della guerra di Gaza, con esiti disastrosi.

Il governo di unità nazionale sarebbe una soluzione a prima vista pacificatrice e saggia, ma è irta di difficoltà. Infatti, la condizione non negoziabile che sicuramente Netanyahu porrà sarà la formazione di una commissione d’inchiesta sul massacro del 7 ottobre che gli garantisca l’assoluzione da ogni responsabilità. Questo in un contesto in cui più del 60 per cento degli elettori dichiara che la prima motivazione del proprio voto è appunto appurare la verità sulle colpe dell’incredibile serie di falle che hanno permesso a Hamas di penetrare in profondità in Israele, massacrare 1.166 ebrei e prendere 251 ostaggi.

Ma scaricare e liberare dalle sue evidenti responsabilità Netanyahu significherebbe sposare la sua incredibile tesi, che nega ogni e qualsiasi colpa del potere esecutivo e politico, quindi sua, caricando tutte le colpe sulle Forze armate, sullo Shin Bet e sul Mossad. Uno scenario che le forze oggi di opposizione, e le stesse Forze armate, non possono subire e men che meno può essere accettato dal loro leader, l’ex comandante delle Idf, il generale Eisenkot, che nella guerra di Gaza ha visto cadere suo figlio e due suoi nipoti.

Un Eisenkot, oggi favorito e sostenuto dal quadro dirigente delle Idf, che infatti nell’autunno del 2024 è uscito dal Gabinetto di guerra in rovente polemica anche con la conduzione della guerra di Gaza da parte di Netanyahu.

C’è uno scenario che potrebbe aiutare il concretizzarsi di questa soluzione, già ipotizzato da Lieberman, ed è che il Likud scarichi Netanyahu, escludendolo così dal governo. Ipotesi scarsamente praticabile, visto il ferreo controllo che questi ha sul suo partito.

Per inciso, per comprendere il contesto di questo voto e che cosa sia oggi Israele, va considerato che i media prevedono che circa il 25 per cento dei parlamentari che saranno eletti abbia subìto un lutto grave durante la guerra di Gaza: c’è chi ha perso un figlio o una figlia in armi e chi un altro parente.

Comunque, in politica è bene non dire mai mai.

Terzo scenario: nuove elezioni anticipate, che sono possibili, in linea non solo teorica, se i due blocchi non raggiungono la maggioranza. Sarebbero da tenere in tempi stretti, nei primi mesi del 2027. È una strada di per sé pessima per il protrarsi dello stato di incertezza al comando politico in un Paese che continua a essere di fatto in guerra e avrebbe per di più un risvolto più che scabroso e negativo per le attuali forze di opposizione. Netanyahu rimarrebbe infatti in carica come premier con il governo attuale e avrebbe tutti gli strumenti per influenzare il nuovo voto.

Di fatto – ripetiamo, sempre che i sondaggi siano confermati – un ruolo decisivo verrà svolto dal presidente della Repubblica Isaac Herzog, già laburista, figlio di Chaim Herzog, già apprezzato presidente di Israele, eletto nel giugno del 2021, nei giorni in cui Netanyahu stava perdendo il governo a favore di Bennett, con una maggioranza schiacciante di 87 voti.

Il problema, non piccolo, è che la caratura dell’uomo, del presidente, non è quella di un leader forte, sicuro, incisivo e che ha dimostrato spesso di essere incline al compromesso al ribasso.

L'articolo Netanyahu ha nutrito la destra che ora minaccia di divorarlo proviene da Linkiesta.it.

Food aid cut for half a million Palestinians in Gaza, as fatal Israeli strikes continue

19 October 2026 at 23:26

At least eight Palestinians, including four children, were killed in Israeli assaults in different parts of the Gaza Strip over the last two days.

On Monday, October 19, Israeli forces launched drone strikes on north-central Gaza City and the southern city of Khan Younis, killing a Palestinian man and two children.

One day earlier, five Palestinians were killed and several others were injured in Israeli shelling and gunfire across the besieged enclave. This includes two children, who were shot dead by Israeli soldiers in separate attacks.

One of the slain children was identified as 13-year-old Tamer Soboh, who was killed in the northern city of Beit Lahia; the other was Misk al-Dalu, who died after Israeli troops opened fire at tents sheltering displaced people in al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Mass funerals continue as more people are recovered from beneath the rubble

Meanwhile, mass funerals remain common across Gaza as Palestinians dig through the rubble to recover the remains of their loved ones.

On Sunday, the remains of 75 Palestinians were buried in the Sheikh Radwan Cemetery in Gaza city, the majority of whom were children and women killed in Israeli airstrikes that targeted their homes during the three-year genocide.

Read more: Mass funeral held in Gaza, largest in history of Palestinian cause

WFP cuts aid to half a million Palestinians in Gaza

While mass killings are underway in the war-ravaged territory, the humanitarian crisis further deteriorates not only because of Israel’s continued blockade and restrictions on the entry of goods and supplies, but also because of measures taken by some organizations concerned with providing aid to the population.

On Monday, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced that it will reduce food assistance in Gaza by around one-third due to shortage of funding. This means that 500,000 people will lose access to critical assistance.

It is worth noting that since the beginning of Israel’s genocidal aggression on Gaza, the WFP provided food assistance for up to 90% of families in the Gaza Strip.

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