Iddo Netanyahu: 'The West pretends not to see that Hamas also wants to destroy it.'

Iddo Netanyahu, veteran of the Yom Kippur War, physician, playwright, and brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, broke his silence with an in-depth interview for the Italian newspaper Il Giornale, conducted by journalist Gaia Cesare. At 73 years old, he defended Israel's actions in Gaza, harshly criticized Europe, and denounced media manipulation in favor of terrorism.

"Hamas built its tunnels beneath houses, schools, hospitals, and mosques. From their point of view, the more civilians die, the better for their propaganda," he warned, distinguishing the current conflict from conventional clashes of the past.

War as the theater of the absurd

When asked how he would represent the current conflict from his role as a playwright, Netanyahu was categorical: "I would focus on the hypocrisy of the West. They criticize a country for fighting against a terrorist organization that massacred its population. Would Italy, Spain, or Sweden act differently?"

He also emphasized that Islamist hatred is not limited to Israel: "The West thinks that if Israel disappears, they will be left in peace. That's not the case. They hate Israel because they hate the West, of which Israel is a part."

Criticism of Europe for its inaction regarding Iran

Netanyahu also pointed out European passivity regarding Iran's nuclear program: "They never considered military action. They expected little Israel to do it. Who do they think Iran's ballistic missiles are aimed at? Only at us?"

He praised, instead, the recent Israeli operation against Iran: "We have destroyed, at least for now, Iran's nuclear program. That dispelled much of the uncertainty about our long-term survival."

The failure in the propaganda war

The interviewee targeted major international media for spreading false images and biased accounts:  "The New York Times published the photo of a malnourished child who actually had a pre-existing illness. It's not ignorance, it's bad intent."

He also stated that the Israeli government underestimated the importance of a solid communication structure: "We didn't achieve enough international support because we didn't invest what was necessary to counter Hamas's narrative."

Recognition of the Palestinian State and settlements

Regarding countries seeking to recognize the Palestinian State, Netanyahu was blunt:  "It's a joke. When they were offered a state, they rejected it because they didn't want to recognize Israel. What they want is for a Jewish state not to exist."

He also defended the settlements in the West Bank as an integral part of Jewish history: "We are not building on foreign land. It's our homeland for millennia."

"Antisemitism has no cure"

Netanyahu asserted that antisemitism is a permanent threat: "Israel was created so that Jews could defend themselves. The external manifestations of hatred can be contained, but not the underground hatred that never disappears."

Strong defense of his brother's leadership

The interviewee also supported Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and denied that he uses the war to avoid justice: "He is already being tried. The process continues during the war. The accusation that he uses the conflict as a distraction is ridiculous."

He concluded: "Governing Israel is probably the most difficult job in the world.  I think he is doing very well."

Hamas's surrender or its destruction

Finally, Iddo Netanyahu warned that the outcome of the war depends on Hamas's decision:  "If they surrender, there will be hope. If not, we will have no choice but to destroy them. Otherwise, they will prepare another October 7."