Netanyahu's Jarring Speech: Invoking Amalek Against Iran

Echoes of Biblical Foes in Modern Conflict

In a surprising move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invoked the biblical narrative of Amalek in a speech yesterday regarding the country's expanded ground operation in Gaza. The reference to Amalek, which represents ancient Israel's sworn enemy, raised eyebrows among both observers and the international community.

A Defiant Address

Netanyahu's invocation of Amalek came during a speech to the U.S. Congress, in which he defended Israel's actions and attacked Iran's "axis of terror." The speech was met with mixed reactions, with some praising Netanyahu's strong stance while others criticized his rhetoric.

In his address, Netanyahu argued that Iran poses a grave threat to Israel and the world, and that the Gaza operation was necessary to counter this threat. He also called on the international community to support Israel's efforts to defend itself.

Historical Resonances

The use of the Amalek narrative in Netanyahu's speech is significant, as it evokes a powerful biblical story of a ruthless and relentless enemy. In the Bible, the Amalekites were portrayed as the epitome of evil and were commanded to be utterly destroyed.

By invoking Amalek, Netanyahu may have been seeking to portray Iran as a similar existential threat to Israel and to rally support for his hardline approach against the Iranian regime.