War between Hamas and Israel For General Vincent Desportes Benyamin

War between Hamas and Israel: For General Vincent Desportes, Benyamin Netanyahu shows a "unreasonable intransigence" by rejecting humanitarian breaks

Published on March 11, 2023 10:06 p.m

Video length: 22 min

The general, professor at Sciences Po and former director of the War School Vincent Desportes was invited to the set of 19/20 Info and shed light on the recent diplomatic discussions about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.  -

Hamas-Israel war: For General Vincent Desportes, Benyamin Netanyahu shows “undue intransigence” by rejecting humanitarian pauses. Guest on the set of 19/20 Info, the general, professor at Sciences Po, former director of the War School Vincent Desportes sheds light on the recent diplomatic discussions on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. – (France info)

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The general, professor at Sciences Po and former director of the War School Vincent Desportes was invited to the set of 19/20 Info and shed light on the recent diplomatic discussions about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

On Friday, November 3, the head of American diplomacy Anthony Blinken called for humanitarian pauses in Gaza. One proposal was categorically rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Asked about this issue on the set of 19/20 Info, the general, professor at Sciences Po and former director of the War School Vincent Desportes, said that he showed “unreasonable intransigence”. In his opinion, Israel “has a legitimacy problem in the face of international public opinion. The more time passes, the more this legitimacy diminishes.” However, according to him, public opinion is “an essential element” in “creating a political situation that would make peace possible. Israel must demonstrate humanity, this is not a problem of morality, but a problem of strategy.”

According to Vincent Desportes, Israel has “crossed the line” of the war’s two main principles: “discrimination and proportionality.” A “trap” for the Hebrew state, but also for its allies. For the general, the problem also lies in “the interconnections between the interests of Benjamin Netanyahu,” according to the indictment, “and the interests of Israel.” Asked about the highly anticipated speech by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, he believes that “somewhere [la prise de position de Hassan Nasrallah] is good news because he says, “I’m not going.” For what? Because he has a lot to lose.”

“The worst thing would be for public opinion to reverse”

While part of the world public calls for a ceasefire that is not defended by either the United States or the European Union, Vincent Desportes believes that “the ceasefire may not be a good thing” in contrast to humanitarian pauses. According to him, “would be the worst [que l’opinion publique] turns around and Israel is forced to end its war. (…) October 7 represents the collapse of the Israeli deterrent system, the semblance of a political solution. We have to think differently and think that everything is decided in strategy and not in the search for immediate tactical effects.”

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