The ongoing conflict in Gaza has highlighted a growing rift between Israel’s military and its government. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been seeking more international support for the offensive, particularly from the United States, the apparent unity masks significant internal divisions. Analysts note that the initial consensus on the war in Gaza has dissipated, revealing differences in strategy and objectives between the military and the government.
One of the most visible points of contention is the conscription of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. Military generals and many secular Israelis advocate for their inclusion in mandatory military service, while ultra-Orthodox parties, crucial to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, oppose it. This disagreement underscores broader tensions within Israel’s socio-political fabric.
Differences over the conduct and goals of the Gaza war are even more consequential. In June, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, “Whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong.” This directly contradicts Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance, as he has made the destruction of Hamas a key condition for ending the conflict, which has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has also expressed doubts about the government’s plans for concluding the war, raising concerns about the lack of a clear strategy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not hesitated to criticize the military, particularly over its proposed daily “tactical pauses in fighting” to allow for aid delivery, which he deemed “unacceptable.” This tension reflects deeper ideological divides, especially with the far-right elements within the government. Over the past two decades, far-right settler movements have transitioned from the political fringes to significant positions of power, influencing national policies and institutions, including the police and education system. Their impact on Israel’s traditionally secular military is becoming increasingly evident.
Ultra-nationalist figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich exert considerable influence over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, effectively holding a veto over national policy, including potential ceasefire deals in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing legal troubles, appears more concerned with maintaining his political base than addressing international calls for an end to the unpopular war.
The far right’s critical view of the military dates back to the 2005 evacuation of illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza, an operation carried out by the army despite fierce resistance from settlers. This historical grievance fuels ongoing distrust and accusations of anti-Jewish bias by the military among settler communities and their political representatives.
Analyst Eyal Lurie-Pardes from the Middle East Institute highlights the cultural clash between the military’s progressive values, such as gender equality and LGBTQ rights, and the conservative views of the settlers and ultra-Orthodox groups. This cultural divide is part of a broader infiltration of far-right ideologies into many of Israel’s institutions, including the army, media, education, and judiciary.
A recent report by The Guardian noted that around 40 percent of graduates from the army’s infantry officer schools come from hardline religious Zionist communities, aligning more with figures like Ben-Gvir and Smotrich than with the senior military commanders. This shift is evident in the actions of lower-ranked and mid-level officers, who sometimes express extreme views and engage in rights abuses, often criticized but rarely curtailed by their superiors.
Outgoing Israeli general Yehuda Fox recently condemned settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, describing it as a “nationalist crime.” However, such denunciations are rare, and the military continues its aggressive operations in the West Bank, including near-daily raids and airstrikes since October.
In Gaza, the military and government largely agree on the broad strategy of widespread destruction and high Palestinian casualties, differing mainly on tactics and future plans. Defense Minister Gallant has publicly stated the need for 10,000 additional soldiers to maintain operations, highlighting the strain on military resources.
Reports from early June indicated shortages in equipment, munitions, and personnel, with increasing numbers of reservists failing to report for duty. This has led to calls within the military for a potential truce with Hamas if it secures the release of Israeli captives in Gaza. Mairav Zonszein from the International Crisis Group observes a growing war fatigue across Israeli society, with more conscripts and reservists seeking to avoid military service.
Despite these pressures, the Israeli army remains engaged on multiple fronts, maintaining its dominance in Gaza, exerting pressure in Lebanon, and dealing with internal dissent. The far-right’s influence over military policies continues to grow, challenging the traditional secular leadership and complicating Israel’s strategic decisions. The divide between Israel’s military and its government underscores the complex and volatile nature of the country’s political and military landscape amidst the ongoing conflict.
