In this article, we delve into the ongoing conflict in Gaza, highlighting the troubling dynamics of the situation and the continued violence that permeates it. The actions of Israel, under Prime Minister Netanyahu, are scrutinized alongside the implications for peace initiatives, especially in light of the recent changes involving former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The persistent suffering of Palestinians serves as a sobering backdrop to the political maneuvers occurring on the global stage.
Yves here. This post outlines some significant aspects of how Israel has perpetuated its devastating actions against Gaza. However, it frustratingly offers a semblance of respectability to Netanyahu, suggesting he is prepared to advance to the next phase of a peace promise, despite Israel’s ongoing failure to honor any ceasefire. Additionally, the removal of Tony Blair from the Trump peace initiative is presented as a minor setback for Netanyahu, which seems unfathomable. The true focus for Israel appears to be the systematic extermination or expulsion of Palestinians from what they envision as their broader national territory. Discussions about governance are portrayed as little more than empty rhetoric.
The question arises: why does Paul Rogers appear to express such apologetic sentiments towards Israel? Are UK commentators apprehensive about being perceived as sympathetic to Palestine by rightly criticizing Israel? Could this be a consequence of the chilling effect following the detention of George Galloway under the Anti-Terrorism Act?
@GeorgeGalloway on his detention by UK Anti-Terrorism Police: “If you had told me 8 weeks ago that such a thing was even remotely possible, I would not have believed you. There is no more patriotic British citizen than me.”
Don’t miss the interview with @TuckerCarlson pic.twitter.com/CuKGr7A7V2
— HatsOff (@HatsOffff) November 28, 2025
It’s disheartening to see Rogers conclude on a note of misplaced optimism. Trump is resolute in his beliefs, doubling down on various fronts—from economic policies to immigration—despite dwindling support in polls. If he truly wished to challenge Israel, recalling the controversial ambassador Mike Huckabee following his meeting with Jonathan Pollard would have been a definitive step:
Why would Mike Huckabee hold an off-the-books meeting with traitor Jonathan Pollard at the U.S. Embassy? This is an outrageous diplomatic lapse, and Huckabee should resign or be fired!
I discuss this with @ClaytonMorris and @Natalimorris on @RedactedNews. pic.twitter.com/hhTfcWRDyf
— John Kiriakou (@JohnKiriakou) November 20, 2025
Trump is a staunch advocate for the Israeli agenda. His daughter Ivanka’s conversion to Orthodox Judaism speaks volumes, as does his overt support for ethno-supremacism in various contexts. He is unlikely to distance himself from Israel, particularly considering the influence of significant Zionist donors.
By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracy’s international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy
Two months into the supposed ‘ceasefire’ between Israel and Hamas, the term seems increasingly misleading. Violence persists in Gaza, with over 360 Palestinians, including around 70 children, and three Israeli soldiers having lost their lives since October 10.
Many of those killed were families caught in the crossfire of Israeli airstrikes targeting individual Hamas militants. Yet, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu maintains that Israel is poised to proceed to the next stage of a 20-point Gaza peace plan proposed by Donald Trump.
Reports from Washington, however, suggest the plan is experiencing revisions.
In an unexpected turn, Tony Blair was quietly removed from Trump’s “board of peace” — a group intended to oversee Gaza’s governance, according to the Financial Times.
The former UK prime minister was expected to play a significant part, potentially leading the initiative. However, some Arab and Muslim nations reportedly opposed his involvement, citing his role in the 2003 US invasion of Iraq as disqualifying.
While this development may seem detrimental to Blair, it may only be a trivial hurdle for Netanyahu. Israel remains firmly in control on the ground, bolstered by confidence in Trump’s unwavering support, particularly due to the significant voting bloc of Christian Zionists in the United States.
This confidence is reflected in numerous actions that highlight Israel’s unchecked behavior.
First, Netanyahu has effectively annexed a substantial part of Gaza through strategic means.
Nearly two million Palestinians have been confined to a densely populated area along the coast, referred to as the Red Zone, while Israeli forces occupy the Green Zone, which constitutes 58% of Gaza. Yellow concrete posts demarcate this division, now considered by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) as the new border with Gaza.
Additionally, reports indicate that Israel is suspected of spying on international security forces stationed at the Civil-Military Coordination Centre established by the US in Kiryat Gat, just 20 kilometers from Gaza, since October 10.
The centre, which comprises several hundred foreign uniformed and civilian staff charged with coordinating aid and logistics, was created following the breakdown of a previous aid distribution system criticized for its inefficacy. However, press reports suggest tensions have arisen, with some foreign personnel avoiding the disclosure of sensitive information due to fears of Israeli surveillance. The base’s US commander, Patrick Frank, has urged Israeli officials to cease these practices.
On another front, Israel’s armed forces and police continue to operate with apparent impunity towards the three million Palestinians residing in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. A case in point is the shooting of two Palestinians following their surrender.
Since the onset of Israel’s military operations in Gaza two years ago, over a thousand Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed, while approximately 32,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes in refugee camps over the past year in the northern West Bank.
In East Jerusalem’s Batn al-Hawa, at least 34 families, totaling 175 people, currently face eviction by an Israeli settler group.
“Israeli military operations have forced entire communities in the northern West Bank into lockdown, disrupting children’s education, threatening family livelihoods, and increasing the risk of violence and military detention,” stated Save the Children last month. This charity has been active in supporting Palestinians since 1953 and has operated in the region for five decades.
The organization concluded that “the futures of an entire generation are at risk,” pointing to grave conditions for Palestinian children stemming from restricted aid, settler violence, home demolitions, land confiscation, and the degradation of infrastructure.
With Netanyahu resolutely focused on maintaining power at least until the upcoming general election, an early resolution to the dire situation for Palestinians seems unlikely.
As previously mentioned, the Gaza conflict is set to have long-lasting, multi-generational repercussions for Palestinians and will not provide the security Israeli Jews seek. In fact, the opposite is likely, as traumatized Palestinians may gravitate toward Hamas’s ideology.
In the near term, an intriguing development is already shocking independent analysts: a significant decline in US public support for Israel. “A majority of Americans now disapprove of the IDF’s actions in Gaza,” and for the first time, “more citizens support the Palestinians than Israel,” a report from Le Monde Diplomatique reveals this month.
While Netanyahu may currently feel secure in Trump’s unwavering support, this dynamic could quickly shift if Trump perceives a threat to his domestic reputation.
