Blaming the Israeli 'far right' lets a genocidal society off the hook

Time and again, western political elites and opinion leaders have blamed Israel's "far-right" government for atrocities committed in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. 

Given that Israel is often given a free pass in the West, it is notable that some criticism is finally being directed at Israeli policy. But much of this critique has focused narrowly on the right-wing coalition currently in power - particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich - while ignoring the broader political apparatus and societal consensus that enables and supports ongoing crimes against Palestinians. 

There are countless examples. Throughout much of the current war on Gaza, former US President Joe Biden publicly criticised the Israeli government, targeting Netanyahu, Ben Gvir and Smotrich by name. 

The European Council and various European heads of state have also singled out the Israeli far right, and the UK has imposed sanctions on Ben Gvir and Smotrich. The US and EU have additionally sanctioned certain "extremist" Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. 

A growing number of American politicians, including Bernie Sanders and Chuck Schumer, have condemned Netanyahu's coalition. 

Read more: Blaming the Israeli 'far right' lets a genocidal society off the hook