Slavoj Žižek: How Netanyahu's candidate for Mossad chief found intellectual basis for his actions in my work
It is generally known that until now the only serious opposition to Netanyahu's government in Israel has been the intelligence services Mossad and Shin Bet. Netanyahu has now decided to finally bring them under his control, proposing Roman Gofman, an IDF colonel known for his brutal oppression of Palestinians in the West Bank, as head of Mossad. Gofman is a man without any intelligence experience who doesn't even speak English.
TL;DR
- Roman Gofman, nominated as Mossad chief, allegedly claims inspiration from Slavoj Žižek's philosophy to justify actions beyond formal authorization.
- Gofman is known for harsh treatment of Palestinians and allegedly believes commanders must act outside rules to fulfill decision-makers' perceived will.
- The article suggests this appropriation of critical theory by oppressive forces is a pattern, used to rationalize illegal actions and the violation of laws against Palestinians.
- Former Mossad and Shin Bet chiefs, like Efraim Halevi and Ami Ayalon, advocate for coexistence and a two-state solution, contrasting with the current government's approach.
- The article highlights the disconnect between official state policy and the actions of settler movements, and similar actions by Gofman in operating outside legal frameworks.
- IDF military academies have previously used concepts from Deleuze and Guattari to conceptualize urban warfare against Palestinians.
- The author argues that Gofman's alleged use of his theory is a distortion, using parts of a critical analysis of cynical ideology to refine oppressive actions.
- The article poses the question of whether the Israeli government, through figures like Gofman, is using legal and philosophical frameworks to legitimize illegal violence and ethnic cleansing.
- It suggests that figures like Itamar Ben Gvir represent a rise in racist and criminal elements controlling security in the West Bank.