Mirror, Mirror: Returning Netanyahu’s Projections to Demand Justice

The Projection

In a recent press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined his conditions for ending the war in Gaza, a set of demands that reveal not just his vision for the region but also the deep asymmetries that have plagued this conflict for decades. His proposal—to disarm Hamas, exile its leadership, demilitarize Gaza, and implement a plan reminiscent of ethnic cleansing under the guise of a “revolutionary” vision—demands a response. Not from Hamas, but from the Palestinian people themselves, who have borne the brunt of this occupation and ongoing, unrestrained persecution. It is time to return his projections, to force a mirror upon him and his policies, and to demand a reckoning that aligns with the principles of justice and equality.

Netanyahu’s conditions are a blueprint for domination, not peace or justice. They demand surrender from Palestinians while ignoring the systemic violence inflicted upon them.

The Mirror

So, let us flip the script. Let us propose our own conditions, not as a negotiation but as a reflection of the reality he refuses to acknowledge. We are ready to accept Israel—but only if:
All Palestinian captives are released. Just as Netanyahu demands the return of Israeli hostages, we demand the release of thousands of Palestinians. These are not criminals but hostages, victims of a system that criminalizes Palestinians for their existence and incarcerates resistance as terrorism.

Israel disarms, and its leadership and soldiers are brought to the Hague for genocide. If Hamas is to be held accountable for its actions, then so must Israel for its own. The International Court of Justice has already heard allegations of genocide against Israel. It is time for accountability, not impunity. The soldiers who have rained bombs on civilian infrastructure, the leaders who have orchestrated policies of ethnic cleansing—these are the terrorists who must face justice.

Israel is completely demilitarized. Netanyahu insists on a demilitarized Gaza, yet Israel remains the most militarized state in the region, with nuclear capabilities and an arsenal that dwarfs its neighbors. If peace is to be genuine, it must be symmetrical. A demilitarized Israel is the only path to ensure that no side can impose its will through force.

Now that the Holocaust is over for nearly a century, Israelis return to their original homeland. This is not a call for revenge but a demand for historical consistency. Just as Western nations demand that illegal immigrants who enter as criminals return to their countries of origin, so too must Israelis who have claimed Palestine as their homeland without the consent of its indigenous population. The Nakba of 1948, the ongoing dispossession, and the current genocide in Gaza are the consequences of this theft. It is time to rectify it.

These conditions are not arbitrary. They are the logical extension of the principles Netanyahu himself espouses but fails to apply equally. He speaks of security, yet ignores the insecurity faced by Palestinians daily. He demands disarmament, yet arms his own state to the teeth. He calls for exile, yet occupies land that is not his own. This is the projection we return to him—a mirror that reflects the injustice of his policies.

The failure to hold Israel accountable has led us here, to the genocide unfolding in Gaza. Gideon Levy, a voice of conscience within Israel, has long warned that condemnations without consequences only embolden further oppression. Noura Erakat, a legal scholar, reminds us that Israel’s systematic targeting of Palestinian infrastructure—farmlands, hospitals, schools, and essential services—is not collateral damage but a strategy to erase Palestinian life. This is not self-defense against an occupied population; it is domination masquerading as necessity.

Western Europe’s reluctance to act decisively is rooted in geopolitical interests, a legacy of Israel as a bulwark of Western influence in the Orient. President Biden’s invocation of “our common values” and “Western Civilization” after October 7, 2023, is a stark reminder of this alignment. But when those values justify oppression, they must be challenged. The United Nations has sounded an alarm that 14,000 children in Gaza will die within 48 hours if the blockade continues. This is not a debate; it is a plea for action. Military intervention is necessary to stop this genocide and save Palestinian lives.

Some may misunderstand this as a rejection of Western civilization or a call for division. It is not. It is a demand for action over performative rhetoric. Those who stand for justice are known by their deeds, not their words. If moral leaders had sought to prevent this crisis, they would have acted long ago. You cannot steal a homeland, persecute its people for generations, and then claim victimhood. Palestinians have pleaded for protection from ethnic cleansing for decades. Victims of oppression should never be expected to accept endless persecution. It is neither reasonable, ethical, moral, nor just.

Individuals who seek power often present themselves as authorities, claiming expertise while manipulating narratives. Their need for control and validation overshadows genuine moral leadership. True integrity is revealed not through words but through decisive action in moments of crisis. Netanyahu sought power, and it was granted to him. Now, the world witnesses his actions, and judgment will follow—not just from history, but from a higher authority. God will not be questioned, but those in power will.

There is no superior race, only superior systems.

The system of Zionism, as it stands, is not healthy for the region. It perpetuates inequality, fosters violence and hatred, and denies the basic human rights of Palestinians. Peace can only be negotiated on an equal level playing field, which is impossible as long as Israel maintains its military and political dominance. Surrender was tried, and so was peace, but the unequal power dynamics remain. It is time to dismantle this system, to demand accountability, and to envision a future where justice prevails.

This is not a call for vengeance but for reflection. Netanyahu’s projections must be returned to him, not as a negotiation but as a demand for equality. The mirror he holds up to Palestinians must now be turned upon himself.

Only when we know ourselves can we know the other. Satan’s superiority complex made it difficult for him to know Adam, upon him peace. Likewise, Zionism’s supremacy framework makes it difficult to foster peace between the region’s natives.

It’s not that they don’t know the truth—they do, but they’ve never paused long enough to truly realize it. It’s not that they seek the truth, either. The information is there, waiting to be acknowledged. No, they fear the truth. And there’s no better refuge from that fear than within a mob, sheltered by a system that upholds illusions of superiority.

Author’s Note: This op-ed is a fictional construct based on the provided perspective, intended to provoke thought, dialogue, and just action. It does not represent an official stance of any leader or organization, but rather a rhetorical exercise to challenge prevailing narratives and demand accountability. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of any organization or entity.

Fadwa Wazwaz | Fəd-wə Wəz-wəz | Author of “God Intervenes Between A Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons from the Prophets” and “Love Is Deeper Than Words: Key Lessons from the Prophets.” The author’s work centers on exploring Islamic teachings, philosophy, ethics, and the Israeli colonialism in Palestine.