“We Are Super-Sparta”: Netanyahu Sparks Firestorm With Doomsday Remarks
Prime Minister warns Israel may need an “isolation economy” to survive, sparking fierce backlash from opposition leaders
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A political storm erupted in Israel on Monday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the country must prepare for a new reality of economic isolation. Speaking at an event hosted by the Accountant General, Netanyahu described Israel as moving toward “a kind of isolation” and suggested the nation may need to adapt to what he called an “isolation economy.”
“I am a supporter of the free market,” Netanyahu said, “but in order to survive we will need to ensure the ability to produce ourselves what is necessary for national security, particularly weapons production. We are Athens and Sparta, and perhaps even a Super-Sparta. We have no choice.”
His remarks triggered sharp criticism across the political spectrum.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid slammed Netanyahu’s words: “His statement that Israel is entering isolation and must adapt to an isolation economy is reckless. Isolation is not fate, it is the result of failed policy. Israel can be admired and prosperous with a first-world economy.”
Former IDF chief and Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot joined the criticism, declaring: “Netanyahu’s paralysis, and that of the October 7 cabinet in managing the war, is pushing Israel into broad isolation. If the prime minister cannot solve this, he should step down".
MK Vladimir Beliak, accused Netanyahu of hypocrisy: “Netanyahu and his corrupt circle do not intend to live in an autarkic economy. They will continue to fly and enjoy the fruits of the free market. The reality of a Super-Sparta and a third-world economy, they are preparing that for the working public.”
Netanyahu Attempts Clarification
Shortly after, Netanyahu sought to soften the fallout. Speaking to the largest-ever delegation of American lawmakers to visit Israel, he attributed the growing economic pressure on Israel to Muslim minorities in Europe: “We see friendly governments caving in to protests and threats. Some countries have stopped shipments of weapons components, but we will break the siege. We are good at weapons production and intelligence, which we share with the United States. We will create the independence required so that those trying to exclude us will fail. We can break the siege, and we will.”
Later, Netanyahu issued an additional clarification, seeking to reassure investors: “To all the prophets of doom on the economy: in the end, the Israeli stock market is the strongest in the world. The shekel has strengthened, the deficit has shrunk despite the war, and foreign investment in R&D is the highest in the world after the United States. Investing in Israel is the smart thing to do. What we will continue to do is increase investments in weapons production so as not to be dependent on weak Western European leaders who surrender to extremist Muslim minorities in their countries. That is exactly what we are doing.”