Netanyahu Addresses Nation on Shabbat

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Facts

  • Hours after Israel Defence Forces announced they had conducted military raids into Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a televised address to the nation late on Friday.1
  • It was the first time the Israeli leader had done so on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest that begins at sunset on Friday, and something no Israeli prime minister has done since Yitzhak Rabin in 1994.1
  • The unusual timing sparked concern in the lead-up to his speech, though his words appeared contrived only to raise morale, with the prime minister saying, 'We're fighting like lions' and 'We are all united.'1
  • Coming after a week-long retaliation in which Gaza has been heavily bombed and been under a total blockade, Netanyahu said Israel was striking its 'enemies with unprecedented force,' adding: 'I stress: It’s only the beginning.'2
  • The comments come as members of the international community, including the US, pledged support and condolences to Israel but stressed their commitment to the rules of war. Speaking at a joint address with Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Thursday, US Sec. of State Antony Blinken said democracies must 'striv[e] for a different standard even when it is difficult.'3
  • On Friday, Gaza's Health Ministry said that roughly 1.9K civilians have been killed in the territory — more than half of those under the age of 18, or women. On Saturday, the ministry said the number of civilians killed had risen to 2,215, with 8,714 wounded. The Hamas attacks last Saturday killed more than 1.3K Israelis, most of whom were civilians, according to reporting from AP. The Israeli government said that roughly 1.5K Hamas militants were killed in the fighting.4

Sources: 1The Times of Israel (a), 2The Times of Israel (b), 3Al Jazeera and 4Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Pro-Israel, as provided by The Times of Israel. After the widespread atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel last Saturday, the country has no option other than to defend itself. Hamas must face the consequences of its terrorizing actions.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Associated Press. Israel has America's unequivocal support. Democracies, however, must distinguish themselves from terrorists by striving for a different standard, even when it is difficult. That's why it's so important to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians.
  • Pro-Palestine, as provided by Reuters. The Palestinian Authority condemns the use of violence by both sides. Although it doesn't control Gaza, it's committed to its stand against violence and will continue to pursue political action to achieve its goals.

Predictions