ISRAEL’S REGIONAL STANDOFF: 3 Narratives that define its failures
On 5 October 2024, 12 months into the Gaza war, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu made the following statement:
“Today, Israel is defending itself on 7 fronts against the enemies of civilization. We are fighting in Gaza against Hamas, the savages who murdered, raped, beheaded and burned our people on October 7th. We are fighting in Lebanon against Hezbollah, the most heavily armed terror organization in the world, which was planning an even greater massacre than October 7th on our Northern border, and that has rocketed Israeli towns and cities for nearly a year. We are fighting against the Houthis in Yemen, and the Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, that together have launched hundreds of drones and missile attacks against Israel. We are fighting against terrorists in Judea and Samaria, who are trying to murder civilians in the heart of our cities. And we are fighting against Iran, which last week fired over 200 ballistic missiles directly at Israel and which stands behind this seven-front war against Israel. As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should be standing firmly by Israel’s side.
BEING NEIGHBOURLY
I live in a housing complex with about 60 units, and I do my best to maintain good relationships with all my neighbours. The ones I see and interact with daily are friendly, accommodating, and gracious—and I hope they think of me in the same way. Now, if every single neighbour found it hard to get along with me, it’s most probably not because of some grand cosmic conspiracy against me; it would be a clear sign that I am most likely the source of the problem.
Consider Israel through the same lens. If every neighbouring country harbours deep-seated hostility toward it, then Israel’s actions—past and present—may be contributing to that animosity. While it’s convenient to place all the blame on surrounding nations, there must also be a willingness to acknowledge that Israel itself may bear some responsibility for the tensions.
However, as with any analogy, the details are essential. In a housing complex, the dynamics are transparent and personal. With nations, factors include historical grievances, security concerns, and geopolitical interests, which are often deeply contested and interpreted differently by various groups. The key takeaway remains: universal criticism isn’t typically baseless, especially if you are surrounded by the worst of them. When every neighbour—or every country—voices discontent, it usually points to underlying issues that merit serious self-examination and dialogue.
A true and honest self-reflection on why Israel faces such deep-seated hatred from its neighbours can be seen through at least three main narratives:
THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE
This perspective looks to the scriptures to understand enduring conflicts. In the Bible, Israel is often described as being set apart—consecrated by God – to be a channel of blessing for all nations. This idea comes from passages like Genesis 12:2[1], where God promises to make Israel a great nation so that through them, the entire world could be blessed. Whether this is the modern-day Israel of today is debatable, but what is non-debatable is the expectation that Israel would lead by example, spreading values of justice, compassion, and hope.
However, this divine mandate has been relinquished. It has not been realised in practice, especially when we look at the situation in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, where millions are suffering under the violent attacks of a nation seeking revenge. Instead of acting as a beacon of light and a force for good, actions in Gaza have led to suffering, conflict, and deep darkness. When a nation consecrated by God to bless her neighbours is accused of starving its neighbour’s citizens and being charged with genocide, the mandate of blessing turns into a curse.
There is no doubt that Israel has become the Nazi Germany of the 21st century.
The tension between what God envisioned—a nation that uplifts and extends God’s grace to its neighbours—and what is currently happening in Gaza is a spiritual failure and a disconnect that compels a call for self-reflection and a re-examination. It raises the question: How can a nation known for its biblical calling realign itself to truly serve as a blessing to others, especially in regions like Gaza, where the promise seems most needed?
THE MORAL NARRATIVE
Here, the focus is on ethics and the principles of right and wrong. This narrative asks whether the hatred directed at Israel is based on justified moral concerns—such as historical occupation, perceived injustices, breaches of human rights, or questionable policies, or if it is driven by prejudice and unfounded hostility.
On October 7, 2023, a deliberate and brutal attack was carried out against Israel—a terror attack that shocked Israel and the world. That day, the coordinated assault resulted in the tragic loss of many innocent lives, an act of violence that is universally condemned and, by all measures, inexcusable. The world, rightly so, mourned with the people of Israel.
However, what has unfolded in Gaza since that day has taken a darker turn and points to Israel’s moral failure in its unrestrained response. The military response and the ongoing conflict in the region have led to widespread destruction and a staggering number of civilian casualties – currently more than 70,000. Critics contend that the actions in Gaza have gone far beyond legitimate military operations. Instead, they describe the events as not only the result of excessive force but as acts of “slaughter and genocide.”
When people use the term “slaughter,” they are referring to the massive number of deaths—often of civilians—caused by sustained and disproportionate violence. This language suggests that the deadly force used has not been limited to legitimate targets but has instead resulted in the indiscriminate killing of those who have no part in launching the initial terror attack.
This point is validated by the number of children and women who have died since October 7 2023. Conservative estimates indicate that for every 1 child killed in Israel on 7 October 2023, 520 children have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force.
But a far greater moral failure lies in the fact that Israel is slowly and systematically starving the citizens of Gaza to death. In legal terms, this is acknowledged as a genocide and one of the worst moral failures imaginable. The term “genocide” carries with it even heavier implications than the word slaughter does. Genocide is defined as an intentional effort to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Those who speak of genocide in relation to Gaza argue that the tactics used—ranging from relentless airstrikes and artillery bombardments to measures that severely restrict access to humanitarian aid—do more than just respond to immediate threats. They claim these actions are part of a broader campaign that systematically targets and decimates a civilian population, effectively erasing the possibility of a normal, dignified life.
According to the United Nations, daily food intake has fallen well below survival levels in Gaza. Aid agencies have warned that millions of residents are at risk of famine due to ongoing restrictions on food and humanitarian aid. The crisis has been exacerbated by border closures since March 2025, preventing essential supplies from entering Gaza. Reports indicate that dozens have already died from malnutrition, with the true toll likely much higher. The situation remains critical, with international organisations calling for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life.
THE SOCIAL NARRATIVE
Sadly, and irrefutably so, the accuser has now become worse than the accused. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu has legitimate concerns, but so do his neighbours. Israel has now surpassed the atrocities of Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and Iran combined by a hundredfold. For every 1 of the victims killed in 2023, 66 Gazans have now been killed. For every 1 injured on that fatal day, nearly 20 have been injured in Gaza without the luxury of hospitals or medical care. For every 1 rocket fired by Hezbollah, more than 80 have been fired by Israel towards Lebanon. Even though Iran is still in the process of developing nuclear warheads, Israel’s nuclear stockpile is estimated to be around 90 warheads, though the exact number is not officially confirmed. Add to this the estimated 5,044 nuclear warheads of the USA, and the threat of Iran is overshadowed.
The Social narrative that examines the everyday realities that shape relationships between nations, once again, exposes Israel’s role in the current conflicts. It considers how historical memory, cultural identity, and community experiences contribute to a collective atmosphere of resentment. Neighbouring societies, scarred by past conflicts, economic hardships, and ongoing struggles for identity, often carry forward narratives of mistrust and animosity. In this view, the hatred isn’t an isolated phenomenon—it’s built up over time through generations of interactions and lived experiences, where social factors reinforce a cycle of bitterness and alienation.
Mistrust has been a defining factor in the fractured relationship between Israel and Palestine, shaping decades of conflict and failed peace efforts. A Pew Research study found that seven in ten Israelis view the lack of trust between the two sides as a major obstacle to peace, with 82% of Israeli Jews identifying it as a significant barrier. This deep-seated scepticism has led to entrenched positions, making negotiations difficult.
Ultimately, mistrust has created a cycle of fear and resistance, preventing meaningful dialogue and reconciliation. Breaking this cycle would require sustained efforts to build confidence, acknowledge historical grievances, and foster genuine engagement between communities. In this regard, Israel has failed as much as its enemies, without any indications that a hand of friendship will be extended.
Each of these narratives offers a different lens for understanding the deep-rooted hostility toward Israel. They remind us that the issues are multifaceted: steeped in history, measured by moral debate, and lived out in everyday social interactions.
If, and when, Israel fulfils its Biblical, moral and social mandate as a nation seated in the centre of the Muslim world, we could expect a mighty move of God, as many prophets predict. Until then, Israel should not be surprised at the criticism and opposition it endures. This is not a sign of being antisemitic, but a sign of being pro-human and co-neighbourly. Something this world is lacking in enormous measures
[1] Gen 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
Gen 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”