“Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver on Sunday examined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s enduring hold on power and then suggested: “I think people have seen a little too much at this point.”
Oliver argued it would be “naïve” to pin all responsibility for the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza on Netanyahu, who meets with Donald Trump on Monday.
It would “ignore that while many Israelis vehemently disagree” with his choices, said Oliver, “there’s also a fair amount of consensus there when it comes to deeper issues like the inevitability of ongoing Israeli occupation in general and the acceptability of denying self-determination to Palestinians.”
“Those are conversations and issues that are going to take much longer and be much harder to resolve,” said the comedian, who added: “But in the short term, Israelis removing this fucking guy from power might at the very least bring a stop to the horrific suffering in Gaza and bring the hostages home.”
Israel’s next national election is not required until October 2026, though Oliver noted it could come sooner if Netanyahu’s coalition splits.
“It is worth asking, ‘Just who is Netanyahu really looking out for?’” Oliver said. “Is it the people of Israel who’ve been put at risk by endless war? Or is it the man who’s spent 17 years as prime minister and seems willing to do whatever it takes to squeeze out a few more?”
He concluded, “I would argue that it is the second one.” Then he added that he looks forward to the day Netanyahu is “politically done.”
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