A New Showdown In Gaza?

Prime Minister-designate Benyamin Netanyahu, while experiencing a difficult path to his future leadership in a series of failed coalition talks with the likes of Kadima and Labour, has revealed a glimpse into his future policy this past weekend by warning the International Aid community that no money or aid will be allowed to flow into devastated Gaza until militant rocket firings from the area cease entirely. 

Flying the face of Gaza reconstruction meetings taking place in Sharm e-Sheikh today - with attendees to include the new Secretary-of-State of the United States Hillary Clinton - the group of representatives covering over 80 countries are expected to announce an aid package in the billions to help relieve the humanitarian crisis and to provide much needed infrastructure and services updates crucial to the viability of a Palestinian state in the region. 

International Development Secretary of the United Kingdom, Douglas Alexander, an attendee at the meeting today, stated:

“There is a desperate need for tough restrictions on the supply of goods to be relaxed. Gaza needs money, fuel and construction materials, and whilst these goods are turned away at the borders, repairs to homes, water systems and the electricity network will remain impossible. Israel must do the right thing and allow much-needed goods to get through to those men, women and children who continue to suffer.”

As Netanyahu attempts to appease right-wing elements that will prove critical to his ability to form a coalition comprising at least 61 Knesset seats, his recent rhetoric will likely intensify. Although the various conservative ideological parties such as Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu have pledged initial support to a Likud-led government, Netanyahu needs to prove his ability to stand up to the International community and satisfy a slew of right-wing agenda points - all converging on the question of a Hamas-led Gaza Strip. Perhaps the only subject in agreement across these disparate parties is the case for eliminating Hamas all together - a goal that can only be achieved in direct opposition to current international pleas for a lasting ceasefire. 

Even more damaging for Israel, this afternoon the UK Guardian reported the international criminal court is considering whether the Palestinian Authority is justified in demanding a potential war crimes tribunal against Israel for their recent actions in Gaza. 

The combination of today’s reconstruction meetings in Sharm e-Sheikh and the recent news from the international criminal court will no doubt strengthen Netanyahu’s resolve, entrenching the would-be leader further in both a political battle for supremacy and an international stalemate that will exist long after the ruling coalition is decided.