DW Finds 'Madness' in Israel, Not US Complicity
While Lapid's artistic exploration of Israeli 'madness' sounds provocative, DW's framing seems to forget a crucial detail: the madness is heavily subsidized. The U.S. has provided Israel with over $160 billion in aid since 1948, with an average of $3.8 billion annually locked in by a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding. This isn't just about an internal Israeli neurosis; it's a globally-funded
mechanism. The 'madness' often manifests as state policy, like the siege on Gaza or the expansion of settlements, actions heavily supported by American taxpayer dollars and often shielded from international accountability. So, we applaud the director's introspective gaze. But perhaps the next film could explore the 'madness' in Washington D.C., where politicians like Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) took
$540,544 from AIPAC in 2022 , then consistently voted for aid packages that underwrite the very 'madness' the film laments. One might wonder if the 'madness' is contagious, or simply good business.