Israelis celebrated in the streets – Bibi was out, a new government is in. At least, some Israelis were celebrating. The celebrations may be short-lived, for reasons to follow. This post follows on from the last three regarding the recent Gaza-Israeli war, and poses the question in the title: Is Israel to become Palestine? Maybe the more appropriate question would be, will Israel cease to exist in its current form, possibly to be absorbed into the neighboring states? Or will a completely new state emerge? As events have shown and as the situation stands, it would appear the days of the Israeli Zionist state are numbered, for reasons we will outline here. We will look at some background and the astrology for Israel in this post in search of an answer to the question posed in the title.
Before we get into background, a quick look at the new government is in order. The new PM, Naftali Bennett, is a hard-liner and is said to be more right-wing than Netanyahu. Palestinians see little cause for celebration in Bennett’s victory. We don’t have a birth time for Bennett, but he is an Aries Sun/Leo Moon combination, with the Sun opposite Pluto and square to Jupiter. He is an executive type and would probably turn out to be a good overall manager. His ideology will prove to be a hindrance to any moves toward better relations with the Palestinians and neighboring Arab states, though. There is a proposed chart for him on astro.com which gives a Scorpio Ascendant, but I have not had time to look into it.
Bennett is opposed to the creation of a Palestinian state, and hence opposed to the two-state solution. He is described as ultra-nationalist, but insider knowledge paints him as being more moderate than he is portrayed. The portrayal is mostly for election purposes. But that in itself is a problem, as it reflects the consensus of the public view – a problem for Palestinians, that is. To ensure the formation of the present government, Bennett, “…agreed to a policy of not annexing any territory in the West Bank and to not build any new settlements while serving as Prime Minister in a potential unity government.” We’ll see how that goes, as that will definitely be a problem for the Zionist mind-set.
This new government has been formed by the slimmest of majorities (one seat) and is, as we will probably see over time, greatly divided within itself, being formed of opposing ideologies within the coalition. Thus, we can expect no major changes in policies, and it will meet stiff resistance from the opposition parties, chief among them, Likud, headed by Bibi (so long as he can stay out of jail). Now that he is not PM, he is subject to prosecution and trial on his pending charges. That brings us to the current directions and transits to the Israel 4:15 chart, noting especially the directions to the angles. The current directions and transits to the Israeli chart are below (bigger):
The recent war with Hamas was shown by the direction of Saturn to the Ascendant, with the populace having to take cover in bomb shelters across Israel while Hamas’ missiles caused havoc across Israeli society. The Iron Dome did not offer enough protection. The Saturn direction was immediately followed by the directed Moon/Mars midpoint, showing the change in public opinion and the new government. Bibi’s war with Hamas was the final straw for the Israeli public regarding Bibi, and was a major factor in the formation of the new government. We note also that in six months or so the directed Saturn/Pluto midpoint will begin to affect the Israeli Horizon axis: “Being placed in cumbersome and difficult circumstances. – Separation, mourning and bereavement.”
Looking next at the natal Sun, representing leaders and leadership in general in a mundane chart, we see the directed Saturn/Neptune axis, our ‘illness axis’: “Physical reaction or illness as a consequence of emotional suffering or upsets, lack of vitality, a sensitive physique, a propensity to illness, disease.” This was preceded by the directed Vertex to the natal Sun, marking the present period as one of particular importance to the development or progress of the Israeli state. We note, too, that Leo is the co-ruler of the Israeli 10th house, Leo being an intercepted sign.
The Moon is the primary ruler of the Israeli 10th house, with the directed/progressed Sun in conjunction now, having just come within orb. And finally, as Bibi’s reign was about to end, transiting Mars was going across the MC, and beginning to activate the solar direction to the Moon at the Knesset vote on the 13th of June. In addition, transiting Pluto was within 2 minutes of arc to the 4:15 chart Horizon, Uranus had just come within orb of the Israeli nodal axis (sudden, improved or unexpected changes in relations), often indicating upsets. As the election took place within this period, Bibi’s ouster was indicated. And, transiting Neptune was sextile Israel’s Sun, showing the happy populace (Neptune rules ideals, fantasy and emotions in general), at least for those who wanted Bibi gone.
Following on the astrology, a little perspective on Israel, its creation and its current standing is in order, recently laid out by retired Col Lawrence Wilkerson. The Joints Chiefs of Staff for the US, prior to the creation of the Israeli state, labelled Israel as “a strategic deficiency” instead of a strategic asset. They said so because at the time there were 400 million Arabs and only comparatively few Jews in the region, knowing that in recognizing Israel, it would cause endless antagonism to the Arab world, which has proven to be true. Truman recognized the Israeli state out of political expediency, facing re-election and needing the Jewish vote, stating there were far more Jews in New York than there were Arabs. Truman was a Democrat and New York traditionally elects Democrats. The reason for the US recognition of Israel was thereby a done deal.
Coming forward to the mid-80s, Israel had become a strategic asset, in that it had a stable society, albeit oppressive to the Arabs, a strong army and air force, and it was the only place Americans could reliably and safely land military forces in the region. It was, as described, America’s land-based aircraft carrier. Joe Biden at the time said, tellingly, that if Israel did not exist, America would have to ‘invent an Israel’ to establish an American military presence in the region. He is a staunch supporter of Israel to this day – not because he has a particular love of Israelis, but because Washington thinks it needs a strong and stable military presence in the region. Israel is the ‘hammer’ to the Arab ‘nail’ as far as Washington is concerned.
Biden’s statement was made in order to push for approval of the $3 billion in aid to Israel at the time. It was not to support the society so much as it was to reinforce the American military presence in the region. Biden’s statements were made at the height of the Cold War, just prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union. After that collapse, Israel was no longer needed as a hedge against the Soviets, and became once again a strategic liability to the US. The Soviets had been actively supporting many of the Arab states in the region, most notably Syria.
It is worth noting that in the early days of Jewish settlement in the newly-recognized Israeli state, most of the settlers were European, and largely socialist and communist. That has changed dramatically, especially since the ‘90s, seeing Israel become instead a predatory and crony capitalist society, where less than 60 families own half of the infrastructure and assets, and the military-industrial complex owns just over half the land. Long gone are the days of the kibbutz. Israel has become like the US regarding its economics, infrastructure and wealth concentration.
As it stands now, probably the only reason the US has to support Israel is because of the Jewish vote in the US – that is to say, the reason for the support of Israel now is due once again to domestic politics and not to Israel’s value as a strategic partner in the region, which wanes by the day. Israel’s support across the West is slipping by degrees, notably in the US and especially amongst Jews. It is, at times, also a problematic partner for the US. We will address why shortly. Such statements are not anti-Semitic, but are just political reality. For the same reason, the Israeli lobby in the US is very powerful, because to lose the support of the US would be perhaps a fatal blow to the security of the Israeli state. Military cooperation between the US and Israel is very strong, indeed, and Israel’s Iron Dome interceptor missiles, for instance, are produced in cooperation between Israel’s RAFAEL defense and Raytheon in the US.
Coming forward to today and the current ceasefire between Hamas and the IDF, we find Israel in a more precarious position. In fact, the Israeli’s have painted themselves into a hard corner:
So fatigued and numbed by their own rhetoric have Israeli and western leaders become, that they will not think or say that Israel has run out of options. And so, western policy continues on auto-pilot. Inevitably there will be further Right-wing provocations at al-Aqsa. The IDF will default to its policy of ‘mowing the Gaza lawn’ – only one or other of these times (maybe quite soon), Israel will find itself in a multi-front war. Are they certain America will spend its blood to extract Israel from its self-made quagmire? Are they convinced Gulf States will be there too, shoulder-to-shoulder?
The Israeli leadership has walked into a trap of its own making. The trap was set as a result of the recent war: Any provocation on the al-Aqsa compound, or any further Jerusalem ethnic clearances, could trigger a multi-front war. Israel’s once vaunted military, for all the hasbara around it, has been hit where it is weakest. Israel seems to be more focused on hasbara than on policy these days, anyway, seeking to keep its image propped up. Its domestic political situation is at a crossroads. The society has moved sharply to the right, with its political leadership to the far right, or reactionary. It is only a democracy to the Jewish population, and the left in Israel has been so marginalized as to not exist.
In the recent war, Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah in Lebanon, made the following observations:
“…what happened in this last round is that Gaza intervened to protect al-Quds (Jerusalem), Sheikh Jarrah, al-Aqsa. This decision is historic, exceptional, and turns things upside down. The Resistance knew it was heading for war, massacres, destruction of Gaza. But the Gaza Resistance was ready to sacrifice itself to defend al-Quds (Jerusalem) and al-Aqsa. Gaza and all of its inhabitants sacrificed themselves to preserve Islam’s 3rd holiest site, considering themselves to be in charge and responsible for it.”
Due to Netanyahu’s miscalculation, Israeli hubris, and thinking they could easily put down the defense of Jerusalem by Hamas, the Israeli establishment was completely taken aback. Instead of bringing Hamas to the table asking for a ceasefire, it was the Israeli leadership who unilaterally announced the ceasefire. Bibi’s comments of ‘mission accomplished’ regarding the Palestinians with the Abraham Accords were pronounced dead and buried with the recent war. It was a very serious blow to Israel’s collective security and national ego. But more than that, it has brought home a very sobering reality to the Israeli state. From Nasrallah again:
“All the factions of the Resistance Axis (Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, Irak’s PMU & Yemeni Resistance) were in constant contact, hour by hour during this war. In the future, we will ensure that touching al-Quds and al-Aqsa will not only involve Gaza but the entire Resistance Axis. The Resistance in Gaza has imposed a new equation: if Israel lays its hands on al-Quds and al-Aqsa, Gaza is going to war. What we must now impose is that if Israel lays its hands on al-Quds and al-Aqsa, then there will be a regional war!”
If there is a regional war involving Hezbollah, a senior Hezbollah official warned of the ‘fire of Hell’ raining down on Israel. Such statements may sound like hyperbole, but Hezbollah usually follows through on what its leaders say. That regional war may be coming much sooner than anyone might suppose. And now, to top it off, the Iraqi Hezbollah has now pledged to do the same. They number around 30,000 members in Iraq and have been active in hounding American forces there out of Iraq.
But even more troubling than Hezbollah’s statements is the recent announcement by the Bennett government, that they now have no choice but to start preparing to launch attacks against Iranian nuclear sites. That may be rhetoric for domestic consumption, but it is not the most intelligent thing to do, considering the Iranians have flatly stated Israel will be hit hard by Iran if there are any attacks by Israelis on Iranian infrastructure. Why would Israelis make such a claim? Ignorance plays a part.
Iran just had Presidential elections and the winner, as expected, is a hard-liner, as described by the West. This has been misinterpreted by Israeli and Western sources as meaning Raisi, the new President, is going to take a tougher line on Israel and the West. The truth is otherwise. Raisi does not set Iranian foreign policy. That is the domain of their Supreme Leader, Khameini. Effectively, there will be no change in Iranian foreign policy. Raisi was elected because the Iranian people wanted him to address domestic corruption and to fix the economy, even though voter turnout was the lowest in Iran’s modern history.
Briefly, as an aside though important to understand him and to the subject of this post, Raisi is an interesting mix of factors. He is a Sagittarian, with either Libra or Scorpio Moon (I have not had time to have a close look at his chart, either). Information on his birth has to be taken on faith, as website translations from Farsi give very mixed results. His primary experience has been in the judiciary, and that is where he gets his reputation as a hardliner. He is under sanctions by the US and EU for alleged human rights abuses. However, looking at his policies, he welcomes sanctions, seeing them as a means to develop domestic industry and the ‘resistance economy’, and he has pledged to raise state benefits and to create six million jobs. He has a big job ahead, that being the case. He takes office on 3rd of August this year.
Those policies of Raisi’s sound more like a progressive than what we would call a hardliner, and reflect the natal Sun/Uranus trine in his chart, if his date of birth is correct. In fact, Raisi is a socialist. But the Sun/Moon reading, based on his life thus far, would tend toward an evening or night birth, giving Scorpio as the Moon. A Libra Moon is too flighty with Sagittarius Sun to reflect his temperament as we know it. The strong religious tone in his life is shown in the Mars/Neptune trine along with the Sagittarius Sun. The hard line is shown by the Jupiter/Saturn conjunction (a placement inclining to the judiciary) in Capricorn, opposed by retrograde Mars in Cancer near the midpoint.
Coming back to Israel, then, we have hardliners in power now in both Iran and Israel, both nations having strong animosities toward each other. Raisi has said he will deal with any nation – except Israel. If the Israeli establishment is serious about attacking Iran, they will have to deal with the entire Resistance and not just Iran. So, we have two scenarios that will precipitate a regional war, one described by Nasrallah, preceding, and one based on the unified Resistance across the region.
Keeping in mind that what is in place between Hamas and Israel is a ceasefire, meaning the war is on hold, we see how fragile that ceasefire is and the seriousness with which both sides have stated their stances. The Israelis went ahead with their Jerusalem Day flag march past the Old City’s Damascus Gate, the main entrance to the Muslim quarter. In the past these marches have been very large. This year’s was comparatively small and noneventful. The Palestinians see those marches as a provocation, because the march celebrates Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war.
Even with the amended route for the march and the reduced numbers, it still enflamed emotions on both sides and there were clashes between Palestinians protesting the march and protesters and police. As a result, Hamas launched incendiary balloons into Israel, causing local fires, and Israel bombed Gaza in response for about 15 minutes. The ceasefire could come undone at any moment.
In another bit of history, the 1967 war (Six-Day War) was a pre-planned event aimed at expanding Israeli territory, at which Israel took the West Bank, Gaza, the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula. The Sinai was eventually returned to Egypt in 1982 and Gaza was given to the Palestinians in 2005. East Jerusalem was another spoil of that war and has been a particularly sore point with Palestinians since, as it is one of the holiest sites in Islam. Some radical Israelis have long talked of destroying the al-Aqsa Mosque and building a new temple on the site. To them, the area is the Temple Mount and is sacred to Judaism.
In the Yom Kippur War of 1973 the Arab world was dealt another stinging defeat by the Israelis. But it also shook the Israelis. Following the Six-Day War their victory had caused overconfidence in the IDF. The victory in the Yom Kippur War was hollower, because they had to accept a brokered peace deal, part of the Camp David Accords, rather than an outright victory. Their fortunes have steadily waned since.
The Camp David Accords eventually led to the negotiations for the two-state solution, to which much of the world has largely hoped to see happen. Neither the Palestinians nor the harder-line Israelis want to see it eventuate. The Camp David Accords in turn were followed by the Oslo Accords, which so enraged the Israeli reactionary right that a far-right Israeli extremist assassinated Yitzhak Rabin for signing them. The flames of hatred run high in a significant portion of Israeli society.
The two-state solution was always a smoke screen, to pacify the largest part of the West into thinking somehow peace would come to the region, and the Palestinians would finally see some justice from the Nakba. The New York Times recently had an article outlining why the two-state solution should be resurrected, but instead exposed the delusions of liberal Zionism as being threadbare. So, with the two-state solution exposed, and the Abraham Accords scheme being little more than a dream for Bibi and Kushner, what is left for Israel?
It may sound surprising, but in 2012 it was suggested a third of Israelis would leave Israel if they had a viable chance. That was almost ten years ago. These would be the best and brightest of Israeli society. Coming forward to 2018:
““Spurred by the high cost of living, low salaries, and political and demographic trends, Israelis are leaving the country in droves.” Given the fact that “Israel has one of the highest poverty rates and levels of income inequality in the Western world,” you can see why the notion that Israel is ‘absolutely essential … to the security of Jews around the world’ is up for debate among Jews themselves.”
This quote goes back to some of the analysis given by Wilkerson, referenced above, in that Israeli society itself, aside from all the external challenges, is increasingly seen as problematic by its own citizens. This is another reason the Israeli state is facing an existential crisis. And then, from 2020:
“The word that recurs time and again when one speaks with these individuals [who have left Israel] is ‘despair.’ Percolating despair, continuing for years.” That is, despair among those people trying to build a society where Israeli Jews and Palestinians could live in harmony as equals. It has gotten to the point where such a humanitarian stance can result in being “forced out of their jobs because of their political beliefs and activities” and/or the realization that “they could no longer express their views in Israel without fear.” Those with children expressed concerns about raising them within the political and social climate that now dominates Israel.”
From a previous link, the following pretty well summarizes the public and leadership sentiment in Israel, and the prevailing trend that has brought Israel to its current state of affairs, especially under the leadership of Bibi Netanyahu. Most analyses I have seen echo the sense that the Bennett administration will only continue said policies:
“The state has now been given over to doctrinaire chauvinists and religious extremists. Under such circumstances, is it any wonder that, as one of the few enlightened commenters stated, “Evil is driving out good” and “This is the price that Israelis of conscience are paying for [their opposition to] the steadfast persistence and growth of bigotry in Israel today.”
With all the preceding points in mind, is it any wonder many people are asking if Israel as a viable state will survive? So long as domestic political expediency outweighs a far-sighted will to pull the Israeli state out of its morass and to find a way of ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all inhabitants within Israel’s borders, abandoning the Zionist mind-set, Israel’s prospects into the near future look dim indeed. The next attack on al-Aqsa or East Jerusalem will precipitate the breaking of the ceasefire and probably a regional war.
In the case of a regional war, members of the Israeli establishment might be counting on the US to come running to the rescue. That is no longer a certainty, especially under the Biden administration and the growing opposition to Israel’s policies by the American public, even among evangelical Christians. But the reality is Biden is turning attention away from the Middle East/West Asia, with the focus toward China instead.
The US, for example, is removing its Patriot missile batteries from the region, which leaves the host nations in the Gulf without air defences. It is also doubtful the Gulf States who have signed normalization pacts with Israel would come running to Israel’s defence, either, given their past animosity toward Israel. They have their own problems at home and are targeted by Iranian missiles. Hence, we see moves toward rapprochement between erstwhile enemies in the region. The US wants to end its endless wars. It is defeated in Afghanistan, wants to pull out of Syria, is gradually being hounded out of Iraq and things are looking up for Iran after a long period in the wilderness. And now the new government in Israel wants to undo the foreign policy achievements of Netanyahu.
It has been stated that, fragile as it is, the way the Bennett government could stay in power is by a war. Bibi is now the ‘Israeli Mitch McConnell’, who has pledged to do everything in his power to break up the coalition and force new elections – meaning promoting more political uncertainty in Israel. There are also hopeful comments that Bennett can begin to turn Israeli society toward a more inclusive approach domestically, giving recognition of rights to the Palestinians and so forth. That may be wishful thinking.
But as most readers probably know, it only takes a few malcontents to spoil the progress and well-being of the majority. If the astrology of Israel’s 4:15 chart plays out as predicted, we can expect some sort of paralyzing conflict, whether political paralysis, intense civil unrest (possible given the current Pluto transit) or even a regional war. These things would happen within a year from now. The reactionary factions in Israel, who are a significant number, will not let go of their gains willingly, and will provoke some kind of event to try to hold on to what they have if they see it slipping away. Instead, they could well bring down the house around them in the process.
Given all the preceding, then, we ask again: “Will Israel become Palestine?” Will a new state emerge from what we see in Israel today? There is no good reason why Palestinians and Jews cannot co-exist. But to do so, the Zionist ideology has to go.
Featured pic from Wikimedia Commons
