Netanyahu’s ‘super-Sparta’ vision braces Israel for isolated economic future

Israeli PM's outline of partial autarky and more militarised society stirs up backlash and concern over pariah status

Hours before unleashing a ground offensive against Gaza City on Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu braced his country for a future of mounting economic isolation, urging it to become a super Sparta" of the Middle East.

The future the prime minister laid out for Israel, of a more militarised society, a partial autarky - or economically self-sufficient country - with limited trade options and relying increasingly on homemade production, has stirred up a backlash among Israelis who are ever more uneasy at the prospect of following him down the path to a pariah state.