Israeli Opposition Leader Calls PM Netanyahu the Main Obstacle to Realizing Peace with Palestine

JAKARTA - Israeli Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the main obstacle to peace, accusing him of building a right-wing propaganda network that has "brainwashed" the Israeli population, as well as making a deal with the Palestinians very difficult.

The former transport minister still clings to the hope that his country can "build a better future", despite the trauma suffered from the Hamas attack on October 7 and the destruction of Gaza.

"He is clearly a major obstacle to peace, and he has clearly obstructed peace or any political solution over his years in politics," Michaeli told The National News, as quoted February 22,

"But that doesn't mean it can't be changed."

The Israeli politician launched a scathing attack on Netanyahu's record in office, saying he had prevented "anything positive from happening in the region with the Palestinian people".

"One of the reasons for 'building; Hamas is to ensure there is no peace, because that would mean the formation of a Palestinian state, which is something that is strictly prohibited for him," he said.

The Israeli Labor Party, which until 1977 was the origin of the country's prime minister, has always supported the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

But even before the war in Gaza, there were concerns that Israel had moved significantly to the right, especially among young Jews.

In 30 years on the political frontlines, Netanyahu has "built a huge propaganda industry," Michaeli said, through which he "brainwashed Israeli society with a narrative that says the right wing is good for Jews and the left wing is good for Arabs."

The Knesset member said that because all young Jews have to serve in the Israeli army, most for three years, this has exposed them to Hamas or Hezbollah militants which, in his opinion, has in turn fostered their right-wing views.

The Israeli opposition leader further said that PM Netanyahu may still consider a peace agreement could allow him to stay in office longer. Current polls suggest he would lose badly in any general election.

"Most likely he won't make peace but let's give him the benefit of the doubt, even though he doesn't deserve any benefit, that maybe a miracle can happen."

With deep distrust exposed between Israeli Jews and Palestinians following Hamas attacks, the path to a peaceful society appears difficult to resolve. But Michaeli said the situation could not be changed.

"Look at Germany and France, remember where they were 75 years ago, after years of bloody and terrible conflict, it is inconceivable that things would be different," he said.

With the "belief and courage" that complements major international financing, "you really can do it."

He said a two-state solution was a "real possibility" that could be imposed unilaterally.

"Even though Netanyahu is against it, this can be presented to Israel as a fact," he said.

He added that while Israeli society focuses on the 1,200 deaths resulting from the October 7 attacks, with little recognition given to the more than 29,300 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks, the level of suffering in Gaza cannot be ignored.