Israeli author & political analyst Uri Dromi: ‘India can play a role in the reconstruction of postwar Gaza’

Israeli author and political analyst Uri Dromi was a colonel in the Israeli Air Force and spokesman of the Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres governments.

Uri Dromi was a witness to the historic handshake between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat  on the White House lawn in Washington on September 13, 1993 after the two leaders signed the Oslo peace accord. A former Israeli Air Force colonel, Dromi was Rabin's spokesman then and later did the same role in the Shimon Peres government.

A prominent figure in Israel today as a leading political analyst and author, Dromi has been a staunch voice against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reforms while supporting democracy and peace in the region. He fought in four wars — The Six Day War, the War of Attrition, the Yom Kippur War and the First Lebanon War — and has worked with the Israel Democracy Institute and World Zionist Organization. In 2013 he founded the Jerusalem Press Club, becoming a familiar figure among foreign journalists covering Israel. Dromi talks to Faizal Khan about the Israel-Hamas war and the future of the region. Excerpts from an interview:

The difference is that in 1973 we fought against two regular armies and now against a guerrilla force using terror, which is more difficult to fight. But the intelligence failure is the same, and it emanates from hubris and arrogance.

We are trying to limit it to Gaza, not to let Hezbollah complicate us more (US carriers help do that, plus deterring Iran). Soon, I assess that a ground operation will begin, because the declarations of our leaders — who have raised high expectations — leave no other choice.

I don't think so. It led, however, to the assessment of Hamas that Israel has weakened ((the spider web theory) and this is a good time to attack. Misunderstanding democracy, however, they miscalculated big time and now they are going to pay dearly for it.

First and foremost, any assistance in returning the abducted people will be helpful. Later, in the reconstruction of Gaza, under a different rule (Palestinian Authority or international regime), where India can definitely play a role.

Big question. The ideal solution would be that the Arab countries, which are signatories to the Abraham Accords, and Saudi Arabia as well, should put their hands in their pockets and turn Gaza into Singapore.

Never say never about Netanyahu. But I think the "magician" has used all his tricks. The level of rage and resentment over his conduct during the last months (the constitutional coup) and the terrible October 7 will doom him. I hope, at least.

Weakened a bit, because they have a strong base which might even get more radicalised (see Donald Trump and his strong base).

That remains to be seen. I think that Hamas drove many Arabs to be on guard now, not to be equated to ISIS. It doesn't fit into (Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) MBS's plan to look modern and liberal.