A Time for Hate

This chapter focuses on the domestic arena, especially to the social and political dividing lines that facilitated the rapid consolidation of the various elements comprising the new radical Right. Exogenous events aided the resurgence of the Right. The growing frequency of suicide attacks, which Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad launched against Israel’s main cities, frightened the Israelis, and many became increasingly skeptical of the prospects for reconciliation with the Palestinians. The campaign of terror provided Netanyahu, who had devoted many years to studying the challenge of terrorism, with an excellent opportunity to denounce the peace process using his counterterrorism credentials. In his many media interviews, Likud’s eloquent leader expressed his concerns over the deteriorating security in the homeland and placed the blame on the Oslo process and its architects. The cabinet members, captivated by the prospect of peace in the Middle East, were certain that the Israeli public could envision the future benefits of peace and thus shared their enthusiasm; they therefore put little effort into marketing the Oslo Process domestically. The absence of a reassuring message from the cabinet left a void, which Netanyahu was happy to fill. He referred to the architects of the Oslo process as reckless and denounced their credentials to be in charge of the security of the people of Israel.