Note the top image. In November, most Americans approved of the Israeli military action in Gaza. In March, that has reversed. Now only 36% approve while 55% disapproves. Why? I believe it is because people are starting to understand that Netanyahu is conducting an illegal and horrifying genocide of Palestinians.
This should not really surprise any of us. Most Americans understand that only a two-state solution can solve the Mideast situation - with Israel being free of terrorism and a Palestinian state being free of Israel oppression. Most Americans also believe that its Hamas that has been the main obstacle to any peace talks. But most also don't realize that Netanyahu has been just as big an obstacle.
We hear the phrase "from the river to the sea", and we rightly identify it a Hamas' belief that they should control all of Palestine (including the part that is now the state of Israel). That is true. But it is just as true that the statement could also apply to Netanyahu. He also wants to control all of Palestine (making the West Bank and Gaza a part of Israel). Neither Hamas nor Netanyahu want a two-state solution.
Netanyahu has refused to negotiate with Palestinians for a two-state solution. He has refused because doing so would mean he would have to stop building Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, and would likely have to give back some of the settlements already built. That's not acceptable to him because his policy is to expand the borders of Israeli - not find any other solution.
A year before the October attack on Israel by Hamas, Netanyahu was told by Israeli intelligence that Hamas was planning the attack. He didn't increase Israeli defenses. Why? I don't think he realized the attack would be as effective as it was, but I do believe he wanted the attack to happen. He wanted the attack to happen so he would be justified in attacking Gaza in revenge.
Now he is not only slowly encroaching on the West Bank with more and more settlements, but he is waging a genocidal war on Gaza - bombing innocent citizens and denying them food, shelter and medical aid. It has become obvious that he wants to force the Palestinians out of Gaza and the West Bank so he can complete his expansion of Israel.
Hamas is wrong in its desire to control all of Palestine, but so is Netanyahu. And as long as both remain in power, there will be no peace.
