Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem Sep 16: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday acknowledged that Israel faces a ‘kind of isolation’ internationally as the war in Gaza enters its second year, saying the country must stand on its own for the foreseeable future. Speaking at a finance ministry conference, Netanyahu said Israel’s economy would need to adopt “autarkic characteristics,” becoming more self-reliant and less dependent on external trade.

“It’s a word I hate,” Netanyahu said, recalling his role in bringing a “free-market revolution to Israel.” He added that one of the industries most affected by isolation is the weapons trade, and stressed the need for Israel to develop its domestic arms production. “We’re going to be Athens and super Sparta combined,” he said, warning that reliance on foreign arms could be limited in the coming years.

Netanyahu’s comments reflect growing international backlash over Israel’s military escalation in Gaza, including partial or complete arms embargoes from France, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Italy and others. The United States, Israel’s largest weapons supplier, has not imposed restrictions, though a temporary Biden-era delay on a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs was later lifted.

The prime minister defended his stance on continuing the war despite public concern, hostage safety, and humanitarian risks. He blamed the isolation on “an extreme Islamist agenda” and the influence of certain states, including Qatar, on global discourse via social media. “This situation threatens us with the beginnings of economic sanctions and problems importing weapons and weapon parts,” Netanyahu said.

Israeli opposition and former military leaders criticized Netanyahu’s remarks. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the idea of isolation “crazy” and attributed it to Netanyahu’s “flawed and failed policy,” while former military chief Gadi Eisenkot warned there would be “no second chance” to repair the damage.

Despite the warnings, Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s economic resilience. He called the country’s stock market “the strongest in the world” and vowed continued investment in weapons production to reduce dependence on ‘weak Western European leaders.’ Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed this optimism, highlighting rising stocks and falling inflation amid the war.

Earlier Monday, Netanyahu met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who praised Israel’s cooperation with the United States. Both leaders criticized countries including France, Canada, and Australia for plans to recognize a Palestinian state ahead of the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

Netanyahu’s remarks underline Israel’s determination to press ahead with its military objectives in Gaza while bracing for growing international isolation and economic challenges.