On the court – Noa Landau in Haaretz:

‘The International Court of Justice in The Hague has proved yet again, in contrast to the massive campaign orchestrated by the Netanyahu government against it, that it is an institution trying to fulfill its historical role under unprecedented restrictions and pressure, including explicit political threats.

For the second time on the topic of the war in the Gaza Strip, the court demonstrated last Friday that it does not deny Israel's citizens the right to defense and security, but is demanding that combat in Gaza be carried out while observing most of the principles of international law.’

(…)

‘The court did not accept the demands of the plaintiff, South Africa, as is, and did not order Israel to immediately desist from any kind of combat. It also didn't rule on the plaintiff's demand that the court determine that genocide is being carried out in Gaza. It ordered Israel to stop its military operation in Rafah to the extent that it creates conditions that could "lead to the destruction of the Palestinian civilian population."’

(…)

‘This will be Israel's line of defense against the ruling in The Hague: There is no activity in Rafah meeting the court's definition, ergo, there is nothing to stop.’

(…)

‘Ask, for example, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. While Israel ostensibly embraces the humanitarian aid to Gaza, he expressed displeasure at the allocation of police forces for the protection of aid convoys from Israeli gangs that beleaguer them.’

(…)

‘International law and its institutions are not against Israel but are for it. For an Israel that fights Hamas, not the children of Gaza; for an Israel that fights for the return of its hostages without threats of massacre and the transfer of innocents; for an Israel that is credible, where its leaders can be believed when they say that they truly mean to fight Hamas and not the entire Palestinian population, without intending to fill Gaza and the West Bank with Jews; for an Israel that takes pride in providing humanitarian aid and will stop anyone trying to attack convoy trucks; for an Israel that deserves better leaders who are not suspected of war crimes.’

Read the article here.

The paranoia and the zealotry are widespread, especially among Netanyahu’s ministers, but it can be found in many places. Fear appears to be sexier than desire, and once again, fear is often just a different kind of desire, another fantasy.

The longer the war will last the greater the catastrophe for the Palestinians in Gaza, for the hostages and their families, for the Israeli population, as far as they are not followers of a Messiah, sort of Messiah.