image sourced from original article at Professor Yuval Noah Harari sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent interview, arguing that no leader in Israel's history has divided the nation more deeply. Speaking in a wide-ranging conversation, Harari said the October 7 attack by Hamas represented a stunning and humiliating military defeat that exposed serious failures in leadership.
During the discussion, Harari reflected on the broader political and cultural direction of Israel, expressing concern that the country is moving away from its historical foundations rooted in learning, tolerance, and the experience of living as a minority. He warned that increasing nationalism and internal polarization threaten the social fabric of the state.
Harari also connected the current crisis and the war in Gaza to deeper global challenges facing liberal societies. He suggested that Israel's future depends on restoring unity and recommitting to democratic values and shared responsibility.
