Conflict coming at 'sensitive' time for Israel: Analyst

Now is not a good time for Israel to fall into an all-out, prolonged war with Gaza, columnist and analyst Mohsen Abu Ramadan tells Middle East Eye.

“I wonder if Netanyahu would take the risk of big open war,” he says. “I am suspicious that he will do that because it will affect the open normalization process with some Arab countries in the region.”

These Arab states are needed to help implement Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” Israel-Palestine peace plan, he says.

Meanwhile, Abu Ramadan notes that it is a particularly sensitive time for Israel, with Independence Day, Nakba Day and Eurovision imminent.

Still, Abu Ramadan says, Netanyahu is using this conflict to project right-wing strength as he works to form a new government.