Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
The political leaders of Israel are overseeing a dramatic radicalisation of Israeli society. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fostered a culture that is damaging for Israeli citizens themselves and is at risk of isolating Israel internationally. Actions taken at the executive level and policy-implementation level are at danger of causing lasting impact to Israeli citizens as individuals and as a society at large. The question that leaders of Israeli society need to ask is as follows: if events during the military campaigns against Gaza and the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran lead to a schism between Israel and its western allies, then is this in the long-term interests of Israel.
During a speech in September 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel needed to become a “super-Sparta”. Invoking the over-militarised ancient Greek city-state, where waging war was the primary goal of society, is a peculiar choice. Spartan society was brutal, not only to its enemies, but to its own children. It offers a window into Netanyahu’s mentality and the direction he is leading Israeli society. The Sparta speech acknowledged Israel was facing isolation, both economically and diplomatically, due to the war in Gaza. Rather than attempting to remedy this isolation, the decision was made to initiate the war in Iran. There is little doubt this will exacerbate Israel’s isolation.
Radicalisation of Society
The Israeli government’s conduct during the military offensive in Gaza illustrates how institutionalised the radicalisation of its society has become. Following the horrific attack on October 7, during which over 1200 Israelis were killed and 240 hostages taken, the Israeli government appears to have abandoned any pretence that it is acting according to international humanitarian law. Human rights organisations, including B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch, have compiled extensive reports detailing Israeli war crimes. Perhaps the most clear and egregious example involves Israel using starvation as a method of war. Throughout the conflict Israel has limited the amount of aid entering Gaza. Between March and May 2025, Israel enforced an 11-week total blockade of humanitarian aid. When a very limited amount of aid was resumed, Israel has impeded its distribution. Israel’s military has also destroyed 84% of Gaza’s water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, in addition to actively preventing repairs. According to the Geneva Conventions, using starvation as a weapon of war is a grave breach of the laws of war. It also constitutes a form of collective punishment, a separate war crime. These are indefensible actions that demonstrate how the radicalised nature of Israeli society has permeated into government policy.
Israel’s systematic destruction of civilian housing in Gaza is another expression of government policy influenced by Israel’s radicalised society. By February 2025, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) had destroyed approximately 92% of residential housing in the Gaza strip. At the executive level, this large-scale destruction is a deliberate policy of domicide, another grave violation of the Geneva Conventions. In a further indication of the radicalisation of society, in spring 2025 the Israeli Defence Ministry established an office to dedicated to managing the displacement of the Gazan population. This radicalisation is also evident at the policy-implementation level, with large numbers of Israeli soldiers posting videos of the war crimes described above on various social media platforms. These serious breaches of the laws of war are disseminated openly. Perhaps more concerning, the soldiers appear jovial, proud of these actions.
Examining the treatment of prisoners or detainees, provides another window into the extent of radicalisation. B’Tselem have described Israel’s prisons and military detention centres as “a network of torture camps”. In July 2024, Israeli military police arrested 9 soldiers for the severe torture and sexual abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention facility. After video footage and medical evidence was leaked to the media documenting the abuse, 200 far-right protesters stormed the base where the soldiers were being held demanding their release. The protests included several far-right members of the Knesset and government ministers. In recent weeks, when publicly announcing charges against the soldiers were being dropped, Prime Minister Netanyahu referred to the accused as “heroic fighters”. Defending this level of abuse is genuinely shocking. This incident graphically portrays the normalisation of extreme radicalisation within Israeli society.
Studies have shown not only victims, but also those that inflict violence or torture suffer, becoming at risk of developing a range of psychological and medical conditions. Perpetrators are highly likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including related conditions such as substance abuse, depression or anxiety. These individuals may also exhibit aggressive anti-social behaviour. While the main victims of these abuses are obviously Palestinians, the current Israeli government appears unable or unwilling to recognise the damage this is inflicting on Israelis, both at the individual and societal level. There is a tragic irony, that the Geneva Conventions which were established in large part to prevent the horrific treatment experienced by Jews during the Second World War, are being breached so grievously by the government of Israel.
International Isolation
Israel is growing estranged from long-standing allies. Israeli society increasingly appears not to share the same liberal democratic values as long-standing western allies. As this schism widens, changing public opinion in western nations is evident. A Pew Research poll conducted in spring 2025 found that in 20 out of 24 countries, the majority of adults have a negative view of Israel. The bilateral relationship with the United States is of crucial importance to Israel. Between 1946 and 2024, Israel received $330 billion in total US aid. The second largest recipient Egypt, in contrast, received $179 billion. In two years from October 2023, the US provided $21.7 billion in strictly military aid. This illustrates the significance of the historic relationship and how essential it is to Israel’s future. Despite having embarked on a joint military engagement with Iran, there are indications that the US-Israel relationship is in peril.
Gallup reported in February that for the first time US citizens empathise more with Palestinians than with Israelis. This reversal of sympathy is a dramatic shift in US domestic political landscape. The deviation in sentiment is not a partisan phenomenon. Polls have shown that the percentage of voters with unfavourable opinions of Israel is increasing for Democrats and Republicans. Perhaps worse still, the demographic breakdown documents this unfavourability is higher among the younger 18-35 cohort, suggesting that this trend will accelerate in the years ahead. The ongoing hostilities launched by the US-Israel partnership against Iran are likely to deepen the strength of sentiment described. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 61% disapprove of US military strikes on Iran.
There are indications that declining US public support for Israel is feeding through into the US domestic political arena. Influence enjoyed for decades by the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is facing an unprecedented challenge. The lobby group has proved successful in utilising campaign donations and publicity to enforce support for Israel among US politicians. However, due to the perceived toxicity of the Israeli government, US politicians are making public commitments not to accept any campaign contributions from AIPAC. Even politicians that relied heavily on AIPAC as top contributors in 2024, such as Representatives Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky and Valerie P. Foushee of North Carolina, have stated they will no longer accept donations from AIPAC or its affiliates. Israeli government actions are so unpopular, that in recent elections, AIPAC has chosen to funnel financing through organisations that appear not to be linked to itself or Israel. In four recent Chicago races, AIPAC channeled $13.7million in campaign contributions and advertising through organisations such as “Elect Chicago Women” and “Affordable Chicago Now”21.
Israel is in danger of growing increasingly isolated internationally, even from its hitherto closest allies. As the fall in public support for Israel feeds into the domestic politics of western allies, politicians will face pressure to amend policies in ways less favourable to the Israeli government. Despite the historic closeness of the relationship, some politicians in the US are already calling to cease or reduce offensive weapons exports to Israel. At minimum, any future military aid may come with conditions attached. If Israel becomes increasingly isolated, the negative implications will be significant. There potential for the reduction in power and influence is real. This would apply beyond the security realm, including in the diplomatic and economic spheres.
The Road Ahead
Israeli politicians, Israeli citizens and supporters of Israel should take time to reflect on the extent of radicalisation in Israeli society. Leaders need to take action to address the damage to individuals and society at large. Consideration should be given to the impact of the actions described on Israeli society and whether this is a society they are content to pass down to the next generation. Urgent steps need to be taken to prevent any further international isolation, rebuild bilateral relationships and Israel’s position in the international community. Prime Minister Netanyahu should re-evaluate if ancient Sparta is a society which Israel should aspire to emulate. Instead, he would be advised to learn lessons from Sparta’s protracted fall from power and prominence.
