The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies

No. 33 January 2016

On Securing INSIDE BESA Center associates debate ’s policy Implications of options in responding to Palestinian terrorism Chaos and reinforcing Israel’s hold in its capital city. Turning Back the Tide against Israel Securing Israel’s Natural Gas Reserves Retrospective on Gaza Disengagement US-Israel Relations in the Final Obama Stretch Strategic Dialogues with and Australia Israel-Saudi Relations: Whereto? Gen. Hacohen and Col. Lerman Join the BESA Center 25 New Publications BESA CENTER ASSOCIATES IN ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION On Securing Jerusalem

BESA Center associates debate Israel’s policy options in responding to Palestinian terrorism and reinforcing Inbar: Israel should continue to build travel through to get from one part Israel’s sovereignty in its capital city. in every part of the city. Moreover, it of Jewish Jerusalem to another, all should encourage Jews settling in the have a common government that is area near and within the so-called Holy part of Israel. Outlying Arab villages Basin. Creating facts on the ground added in 1967 may be necessary in signals determination and makes some situations for security or political division of the city more difficult. reasons, but there can be a united Generally, Israel should make every Jerusalem without them. effort to separate the issue of Jerusalem from the issue of settlements in the But Israel should not be negotiating even if this requires a partial with itself about concessions to the freeze in the settlement activity in Palestinians in Jerusalem. The Arabs Judea and Samaria. Jerusalem is much are not now willing to make peace with more important than isolated Jewish Israel on any terms. When they change settlements in the West Bank. it will be time enough to consider what Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum concessions might be consistent with Can and how should Israel act to keep Israel has a clear interest in the stability Dr. Max Singer: Firstly, Israel should “united Jerusalem.” eastern part of the city nor in the 2 Jerusalem united? of the Hashemite Kingdom that signed expand its programs to connect all parts of “Jerusalem” beyond the 1967 3 a peace treaty with Israel, but Israel’s Israelis to Jerusalem. It is important Secondly, Israel’s public stance municipal boundaries. This does not Prof. Efraim Inbar: Israel should signal national security cannot be based on to act so that ordinary Israelis do not should be more positive and defiant serve any purpose beyond placating ferocious determination in opposing the assumption that this kingdom associate the cause of united Jerusalem than appeasing. This should include the right-wing part of Netanyahu’s any division of the city, and not only cannot be destabilized like other Arab with the advocates of building a Third emphasis on how the Arab interest in coalition. because of religious and historic states. Temple, or those who believe that Jerusalem has been almost exclusively reasons. Jerusalem has strategic Israel is not Israel if it doesn’t have in opposition to Jews and Christians, Inbar: Yes, Israel has a clear interest in importance for the defense of Israel. Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman: The bottom sovereignty over everything west of the with little attention when in Muslim providing better municipal services to line is simple: Carving up Jerusalem Jordan. hands. Israel should also call attention the Arab neighborhoods. According to Greater Jerusalem is the only place – a living city, "still seven times safer to the terrible Arab record in preserving all polls, a large majority of the Arabs along the ridge of the Judea Mountains than (say) Seattle" – is impossible to Note that “United Jerusalem” does not Jerusalem, in allowing access to other in the city prefer to live under Israeli that has a Jewish majority and where implement, no matter how ardently necessarily mean the current borders religions, and in keeping commitments. sovereignty and the idea of transferring the road from the coast to the area some may wish for this to be done. It of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was smaller them to Palestinian rule is frightening along the Jordan River that can be would constitute a disastrous retreat Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman before June 1967. It was larger in Nevertheless, Israel’s fundamental to them. They are not stupid! In fact, travelled without Arab interference. from basic Zionist verities and Jewish the UN partition resolution. “United claim is not that it does a better job of any attempt to transfer them to Jerusalem is the linchpin for any imperatives. It would tear apart Israeli effort to come and live in sovereign Jerusalem” means, I believe, that the protecting access by all religions. Its Palestinian rule without asking their defense plan from the East. society. It would reverse the remarkable Israeli territory). parts of Jerusalem that interact with fundamental claim is that Jerusalem opinion is undemocratic. Every effort achievements of nearly fifty years of each other, that one might need to has long been the capital of the Jewish should be made to strengthen the Israel's custodianship of the unified Therefore, Israeli policy must be state in this area and is an essential part Arabs’ preference to live under Israeli city; a custodianship not free of failures directed quietly and confidently at of Israel, the Jewish homeland. We will rule. This is also a clear answer to the and blemishes and yet impressive in its perpetuating Israeli sovereignty in not give it up. absurd claim that Israel is racist. Arab- outcome. Jerusalem; even if a proper delimitation Jewish coexistence in Jerusalem is a of where does the city end, and some Thirdly, Israel should be building in prerequisite for peace. Jerusalem today is a city of nearly a unnecessary accretions begin, may be Jerusalem, especially in the E-1 corridor million residents, a joy to behold, alive open to discussion. connecting Jerusalem to to Maale Prof. Eytan Gilboa: For a long time, with active social and cultural life. Adumim. successive Israeli governments have And it would ultimately do nothing What strategies (not just tactics) failed to adopt and implement policies but harm to the lives of most of the should the government adopt to Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum: The best required to keep Jerusalem united. Maqdisiyyun (Arab Jerusalemites) – who ensure exclusive diplomatic control of way to keep Jerusalem united is to Existing policies have to fundamentally know already how much better they are the city? Should Israel maintain a low treat all the citizens equally. Anyone change: Investing much more resources doing in comparison with their brothers profile or move to significantly build who goes to the eastern part of the in the Arab sections coupled with the across the PA line (or else there would new neighborhoods in and around the city can see how much it suffers from establishment of law and order, full and Prof. Efraim Inbar not have been so many who make the city? ‏Dr. Max Singer neglect. But it is not wise to build new aggressive enforcement of municipal neighborhoods for Jews neither in the laws and regulations and conditions of BESA CENTER ASSOCIATES IN ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION On Securing Jerusalem (continued)

basic services, severe punishment of one; and take disciplinary measures remain in Israel, gives rise to a political Singer: Israel should act in all ways regions of the homeland! And if Israel would ultimately remain outside the violators, intensive supervision of the against school principals and teachers firestorm. consistent with the idea that Israel is does not insist on this, it will steadily unified city. But until such decisions educational system, and aggressive who promote anti-Israeli and anti- here by right (without having to rely on withdraw inward, toward the coastal are taken – and they must not be preventive actions against cells of Jewish activities in defiance of the law. Therefore, the diplomatic challenge Biblical authority); that Israel will stay plain, and edge towards decline. taken under the shadow of Palestinian and other Palestinian terrorist is threefold: We need to reunite and defend itself regardless of attacks knives – it would still be necessary both organizations. The same applies to mosque preachers. the Jewish people (and particularly and difficulties; that united Jerusalem is At the height of the War of to reassert Israeli sovereignty and to These people have to know that the American Jewry) around Jerusalem an inherent and essential part of Israel; Independence, in 1948, Ben-Gurion invest in better living conditions for the Beyond that, Israel should start a State of Israel has the right to monitor as a rallying cry. In 1989 this was and that no one has as good claims to explained why he set the capture of residents there. At the same time, Israel worldwide communications campaign their behavior in public institutions enough to bring about a 100:0 (!) vote Jerusalem as Israel does. Jerusalem as a primary objective in must stem the tide of illegal entrants. in favor of United Jerusalem. We should and that they will meet legal sanctions in the Senate acknowledging united the war. Speaking before the Zionist explain the Jewish historical and should they flaunt them. We're losing Jerusalem as Israel's eternal capital. It is critical to demolish the claim that General Council, he said, “I don't need Singer: There definitely are ways to religious connection to the city, the eastern Jerusalem because officialdom Israel stole Palestinian land (including to tell you what value Jerusalem has give Arab east Jerusalemites partial Israeli excellent record of keeping free is more frightened of the PA and Hamas At the same time, it is important to ). The first part of Israel’s had in the history of the Jewish people control of the areas where they access to the holy places vs. the Arab than it is of Israel. This has to change. impart the verities listed above – discussion of almost anything should and the land of Israel and world. ... If live without threatening security. abysmal record of protecting them. In The State has to regain its control; in namely, that a push for partition would be the statement that there has never a land has a soul, then Jerusalem is Negotiations should be held with the meantime, Israel should maintain a , haibat al-sulta. be bad for peace and bad for the real been any Palestinian land and therefore the soul of the land of Israel, and the local Arab Jerusalemites – probably low profile and only moderately expand needs of the Palestinian residents Israel never took any Palestinian land; battle for Jerusalem is paramount, not by neighborhood – not via the 4 existing neighborhoods. Israel should also limit the activities themselves – in a systemic and although the Palestinians have claims just in a military sense. ... We are duty Palestinian Authority. There will 5 of the foreign consulates in eastern persistent manner. Among other things, that might justify giving them some bound to stand by Jerusalem, and it probably be resistance by Arabs against Jerusalem or at least protest some Israel should find ways to better engage land west of the Jordan even though it deserves it. The pledge we took on the “normalization.” This can be overcome of their activities if these involve with the local diplomatic community, was never Palestinian land beforehand. rivers of Babylon is binding now as it by providing incentives, neighborhood mobilizing Arab residents to causes that who are now almost a captive audience Israel is justly on its territory because of was binding then, otherwise we would by neighborhood. harm us. for incessant Palestinian propaganda. its ancient historical presence; because no longer be able to call ourselves the the decision of the world to create people of Israel.” What about the Temple Mount? Is Israel should clearly build new This strategy should be attuned to the a Jewish homeland in this area; and reinforcement of the status quo the neighborhoods in the city too, not only political realities which flow from the because Israel defeated its enemies in What should be done about the Arab right approach to regaining calm, for its own sake, but to prod the PA to Israel's own position, and the strong defensive wars to hold the territory. neighborhoods in the no-man’s- or should Israel be articulating an return to negotiations. In effect, not – almost obsessive – international land on the other side of the security aspiration/demand for Jewish prayer building new neighborhoods means commitment to the two-state solution. barrier? Act aggressively to reassert and other rights on Har HaBayit? that the PA is winning, especially It would therefore be necessary, Israeli control, or formally cut them given the massive highly-subsidized gradually and patiently, to prove out of the city? Inbar: Obviously, Jewish prayer on the Palestinian building along a continuous that the unity of Jerusalem is not Temple Mount is a sensitive issue, but north-south axis that is cutting off incompatible with future Palestinian Lerman: The trans-barrier Israel should uphold the right of the Prof. Hillel Frisch Maale Adumim and its satellites from statehood. This is a difficult, but not neighborhoods – long lost to policing Jews to pray at their holiest place. An Jerusalem. Israel should be building in impossible task, which may require and the provision of basic services, opportune time should be found to Prof. Hillel Frisch: It must act to keep E-1! creative solutions on the ground. let alone urban planning – present implement this right. There will be no Jerusalem united not only for strategic a unique challenge. The absurdities peace as long as Jewish presence at the and spiritual reasons. In fact, the To assuage international concerns, Israel Clearly, dramatic and demonstrative abound, including the inability under Temple Mount is viewed by Arabs as a spiritual is strategic in the long term should then be more lenient in allowing actions such as major new construction the law to provide water to illegally provocation. since without the spirit any political Palestinian building in the central plans would be highly counter- built Palestinian housing. Only a major entity withers. areas of Arab Jerusalem, especially in productive in terms of the firm but program of well-planned construction, Singer: Israel will probably have to keep neighborhoods that have not been patient strategy suggested here. and/or retroactive recognition (where the status quo until things quiet down. To keep Jerusalem united, Israel must violent. They may even endanger the first Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen possible) of much of what has already And efforts to improve the status quo act more forcibly in eastern Jerusalem cornerstone. We already have learned been done, can change the situation must be kept rigidly separated from and abandon the Dayan legacy of non- Lerman: We live in a world which does that whether we like it or not, American Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen: – backed by a much larger security Third Temple groups. In the meantime, interference in Arab political affairs not even recognize Israeli sovereignty Jewry will not necessarily stand up to The struggle for a united and “greater” presence. Israel should resist the Waqf program to along as they are not violent. Israel has in western Jerusalem, where the EU is an angry Democratic President, and it Jerusalem (from Jericho to Jaffa) is the turn the whole Mount into a mosque, to make sure that the Israeli flag is flown labeling eastern Jerusalem products, is not in our interest to drive them into DNA that holds the key to the future At the end of the day, Israel's and stop Muslim destruction of ancient in every public institution, including and where every construction project, such corners unless we have to. of Israel. Israel needs to know why sovereignty in Jerusalem will not be sites and artifacts on the Mount. Over schools; compel the schools to drop even in neighborhoods that any Jerusalem should be a priority: Because diminished – and may perhaps be time, perhaps there may be some the Palestinian curriculum for the Israeli sensible person knows would always it is seeking the return to Zion in all enhanced – if some of these places chance of using the current overlap BESA CENTER ASSOCIATES IN ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION NEW PUBLICATION Perfect Storm On Securing Jerusalem (continued) The Implications of Middle East Chaos by Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror

of interests between Israel and Saudi Inbar: Generally, terrorism, particularly is unlikely that they would support direction will find the task very difficult. must be based on the understanding Arabia to give the Saudis a useful role Palestinian terrorism, has limited value efforts to install Jews in heavily Arab “There is no silver bullet,” Amidror that no signatory and no guarantor on the Mount, including allowing fair in attaining political goals. neighborhoods. says, that will steer things in the right of the agreement is likely to have the Jewish presence on Mount including direction. “The problems are too power to prevent Islamic radicalization individual prayer. Singer: Perhaps the Palestinian violence During the first Intifada, the Palestinians significant. This necessitates a great among the Palestinians. In order to will make Israelis more determined to let the Israelis know is no uncertain deal of modesty in policy planning, and prepare for the possible scenario of a Teitelbaum: Eventually, the time may keep Jerusalem! We shouldn’t panic, terms that they were no longer security caution too.” very radical government in Ramallah, be ripe for discussing some kind of nor escalate the situation. Patience and welcome in the West Bank and Gaza. in mortar range of the in heavenly sovereignty over the Temple perseverance is required. If it turns out Most Israelis internalized this and Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, For Israel, he writes, the best strategy is Jerusalem, the security measures Mount/Haram al-Sharif, but this is a that most of the trouble comes from stopped frequenting these places, the Anne and Greg Rosshandler to identify the greatest threats looming specified in any Israeli-Palestinian very long way off. In the meantime, for areas beyond the security barrier, there as they had often done since 1967. Senior Fellow at the BESA Center. in its vicinity, and concentrate its efforts agreement will have to be extremely the Muslims, both the Palestinians and might be political support for excluding Eventually, the Israeli public supported narrowly in dealing with these specific tough – unlike the weak security the Jordanians, the very control of the those areas from Jerusalem. As I some kind of withdrawal from the threats, and on them alone. Primarily, provisions of the Oslo agreements.” Haram is a religious imperative. Visits by mentioned earlier, I don’t regard that as territories. If the current wave of In this major monograph, Maj. Gen. this means focusing on the threat from Jews and others are possible, but only “dividing Jerusalem.” terrorism continues, and particularly (res.) Yaakov Amidror, the Anne and , and maintaining Israel’s military “The main problem for Israel is that at the pleasure of the Muslims. There is if it escalates to gunfire, there is the Greg Rosshandler Senior Fellow at the prowess. “A nuclear Iran is the greatest what weighs on the Palestinians is thus very little room for compromise. possibility that Israelis once again BESA Center, looks at the long-term threat to Israel, period.” not the conquest of 1967 but the 6 The problem is further exacerbated might feel they have been given notice, implications of Middle East chaos, ‘occupation’ of 1948. They do not 7 by outlandish and deadly Palestinian and support some kind of division of which he says are civilizational shifts of “If Israel’s power is reduced or if it loses accept the existence of the State of incitement. Jerusalem. historical proportions. the determination required to use that Israel even within the borders of the power, then it will have no place in the 1949 cease fire. It turns out that the While on the face of it the demands for Frisch: This recent wave of violence Amidror is the immediate past national Middle East; it will be destroyed. We slogan, ‘territories for peace,’ was an Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount indeed provide ammunition to the security advisor to Prime Minister live in a brutal world in which Israel’s illusion. The fact that Jaffa, Tiberius may seem solely an issue of religious political Left, especially since most Netanyahu. He previously served enemies use weapons of the 21st and Safed are under Israeli control is freedom, those Jews who support of the perpetrators have come from as chief of the research and analysis century, but fight and kill according more ‘oppressive’ to them than IDF prayer on the Temple Mount are mostly Jerusalem and , the two places division of military intelligence in the to the rules of conduct of the 7th roadblocks at the exits of Hebron and of a religious stream that also wishes to where there are no good fences that IDF, and advisor to the Minister of century,” Amidror notes. “It is supremely Nablus.” supplant the Dome of the Rock with a make for good neighbors. Defense. important for Israel’s blade to be sharp, Third Temple. This adds to Palestinian and for Israel to be prepared to use it, Amidror emphasizes that “the wariness of any change in the status Lerman: It will be long years in “We are witnessing a wide and deep and not only for its own sake. This is so Palestinian issue is not the core of quo. Prof. Eytan Gilboa the making before we know if our struggle over the character and future even if the other democratic countries Middle East troubles. It is a marginal Palestinian neighbors have settled of the Arab nation, and perhaps of Islam are not prepared to admit this publicly.” issue. Ameliorating the Palestinian- Frisch: In the struggle between any Gilboa: Agreed. Based on historical into a pattern of co-existence which as a whole,” Amidror writes. Israeli dispute will somewhat help state and a violent national movement, events and trends, Palestinian violence would allow for imaginative solutions As for local threats, Amidror writes that Israel build alliances with other Arab defensiveness, i.e., maintaining the usually reinforces Israeli determination offering shared sovereignty in a united The troubles go all the way back to “any agreement with the Palestinians countries, but it won’t solve any of the status quo, is a losing proposition in to defy the demands and intimidations city, without degrading security and the fall of the Ottoman Empire and to major problems that most situations. It’s our job to explain of the Palestinians. The public will governance. It is precisely because of the revolution in Iran, the consequent beset the region.” the strong relationship between remain united in seeking to protect this, that the question of Jerusalem rise of radical Islam, the attacks of the connection to 's most the city's unity. However, there could is best left to later stages of any 9/11 on the U.S., the conquest of Iraq In short, Amidror’s important site – the Temple Mount be calls for the cutting of certain areas negotiated agreement, whereupon as a response to these, and to the recipe for security – and Israel’s collective survival. It's around Jerusalem, which aren't critical such mutually beneficial arrangements Arab Spring. “To this we must add in the crumbling unfortunate that the Arabs are united for the security and integrity of the can be discussed against the the weakness manifested by the Middle East is over the Temple Mount and we aren't. Israeli capital. background of accumulated experience. international system, especially the patience, vigilance and We have to rectify this situation. Right now the psychological impact U.S.-led Western alliance; the total steadfastness. Teitelbaum: The “consensus” about a of the wave of terror – albeit limited in worthlessness of global organizations; How will the current wave of terrorism united Jerusalem is a bit of a mirage, effect and probably already waning – is and the ruinous activities of local forces and violence in the city affect Israeli since most Israelis are unfamiliar with very much the wrong moment for any unique to each state.” public opinion for the long-term? the situation on the ground. While such decisions to be taken. Might it undermine the “consensus” they would support Israeli sovereignty Amidror’s conclusion is that anyone on maintaining Jerusalem united? over the Old City and certain Jewish from the outside trying to influence neighborhoods built after 1967, it these regional upheavals in a positive CONFERENCE Assessing the Gaza Disengagement, Ten Years Later

In July, prominent politicians, generals, rabbis, writers and an audience of well over 300 people gathered at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies for a ten-year retrospective on Israel’s 2005 unilateral disengagement from Gaza.

Rabbi Yaakov Medan and Prof. A.B. Yehoshua. Dov Weissglass. Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, Prof. Efraim Inbar, and Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser.

homeland. Also participating in this Dr. Anat Roth, a researcher and 8 discussion was Mrs. Anita Tucker, a Gush author on Israeli settlements and 9 Katif resident for over 30 years. the disengagement from Gaza, detailed how the Israeli media Adv. Dov Weissglass, former Director gave overwhelming and almost of Prime Minister Sharon’s Bureau, exclusively favorable coverage to the and former Cabinet Secretary Israel withdrawal plan, while shutting out Maimon defended the disengagement. all other voices and opinions – thus According to Weissglass, Sharon was delegitimizing the plan’s opponents. mugged by “reality,” realizing that Israel could not retain the territories unless “it A security session focused on wishes to be like Sparta or North Korea.” implications of the unilateral By displaying “generosity and initiative” disengagement for Israel’s diplomatic to decide Israel’s own borders, Sharon future. Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi thought, Israel would stand in higher Kuperwasser, former director general Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan. regard in the international community. of the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen. Weissglass and Maimon dismissed Affairs, described the many ways charges that Sharon was motivated in which the disengagement had The conference was co-sponsored by by the many criminal charges against weakened Israel. Maj. Gen. (res.) maintained that they opposed the the Security Council for Israel, whose him; and they rejected any causal Yaakov Amidror, the Rosshandler 2005 disengagement from Gaza, and president, Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, connection between the Israeli Fellow at the BESA Center, concurred, over half (51%) said that Israel should delivered opening remarks. Dayan withdrawal and the Hamas takeover of although noted that the decision was resettle the territory. sharply critiqued the disengagement, Gaza in 2007. reached legally and legitimately. noting that none of the strategic Inbar notes that these figures do not and diplomatic benefits promised by Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen, Prof. Efraim Inbar noted that the match with the polling data in 2005, proponents of the Gaza withdrawal had the military commander in charge of result of the disengagement – Hamas which showed close to 50% support come to fruition, “to say the least.” the disengagement who today is a takeover of Gaza – undermines the for disengagement. “Looking back, scholar at the BESA Center, described feasibility of the two-state solution the withdrawal has turned out to At the core of the conference was a how he gave the evacuation plan a and demonstrates that “the divided be such a big mistake that Israelis debate between two Israeli intellectual “Zionist” hue, and sought to avoid Palestinian society is incapable of are loathe to admit that they once giants on the meaning of “home.” bloodshed. At the same time, he establishing a state.” supported it,” explains Inbar. Rabbi Yaakov Medan, head of the Har said that he personally opposed the Etzion Hesder yeshiva, and the novelist, disengagement, and believed that no In a public opinion poll conducted Prof. A.B. Yehoshua, disagreed on such withdrawal from the West Bank by the BESA Center in advance of the meaning of Jewish identity and should ever be attempted. the conference, most Israelis (63%) CONFERENCE NEW BOOK Securing Israel’s Natural Gas Reserves

In July, prominent academics, civil servants, The Tail Wags and corporate and military leaders gathered at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic the Dog Studies for a discussion of the strategic International Politics and geopolitical aspects of Israel’s newly- and the Middle East discovered natural gas deposits. by Prof. Efraim Karsh

Prof. Efraim Karsh

Dr. Uzi Landau, former Israeli Minister of Energy and Water Rear Admiral (res.) Eliezer Marom, In this important new book Western champions drop their with Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror of the BESA Center. he said. Overcoming this With the Leviathan field expected to former Commander of the Israeli Navy. (published by Bloomsbury), BESA condescending approach, that the and establishing a stable provide 60-70% of the fuel for Jordan’s Center senior research associate region can at last look forward to a business environment energy consumption, it has the Prof. Efraim Karsh debunks the real “Arab Spring.” The unifying theme that emerged from should be a national priority, he said. potential to contribute to stabilization with the surrounding nations. Syrian Edward Said-ist “Orientalist” notion the conference was the importance of of Jordan, as well as furthering weapons being passed to Hezbollah, that the agonies of the Middle East Prof. Karsh is the author of over natural gas as a strategic geopolitical Yossi Abu, CEO of Delek Drilling, Jordanian-Israeli relations, he said. increased Iranian pressure and cash flow to are traceable to the rough handling 100 scholarly articles and fifteen tool, which can help Israel improve reviewed recent gas findings in the nearby countries, and Turkey’s pushback of the region by Western powers books. He is also editor of the ties to its Middle Eastern neighbors. Mediterranean, focusing on the Tamar This point was expanded upon by Maj. against Western influence – all pose – first European colonialists, then Middle East Quarterly and Israel 10 Protecting these resources against the and Leviathan gas fields (which his Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror of the BESA serious threats to both Israeli strategic American cold warriors. Affairs academic journals. For 25 11 possibility of attack is a serious concern, company discovered and developed). Center. Amidror explained that it is not and economic interests, he said. Inbar years, he was a professor of Middle as is over-regulation and inconsistency The Tamar gas field has an estimated easy for the Jordanian government to advocated for the establishment of a Karsh propounds a radically East and Mediterranean Studies in domestic tax and royalty policies. 281 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural rely on Israeli gas, but that the benefits stronger Israeli navy. different interpretation. He argues at King’s College London. He has gas, while the Leviathan gas field, of Jordanian-Israeli cooperation are that the view of Moslems and Arabs been a visiting professor at Harvard Dr. Uzi Landau, former Israeli Minister discovered in 2010, has over twice that overwhelming. Amidror believes that The possibility of cooperation between the as victims – a view that underlies US and Columbia universities, the of Energy and Water, provided an with an estimated 621 bcm of gas. Israel must consider gas a fundamental governments of Israel and Cyprus, which President ’s outreach Sorbonne, and the London School overview of the development of Israel’s security issue. By balancing the are both in possession of considerable to Iran – is misguided. Middle of Economics, and a research natural gas reserves, and suggested He too spoke of the importance of economic and strategic elements of Mediterranean gas resources, was the Eastern history has in fact been associate at the International changes necessary for advancing Israel stability in Israeli regulation of the the sector, it can prove a very useful topic of a talk by Dr. Theodoros Tsakiris, the culmination of long existing Institute for Strategic Studies and as a strategic player in the regional gas natural gas sector. “My company has geopolitical tool, he said. a member of the Geostrategic Council of indigenous trends, passions and the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute situation. invested $7 billion in developing the the Republic of Cyprus. Cyprus is currently patterns of behavior. for Advanced Russian Studies. He Leviathan gas field,” Abu stressed, “and Former Commander of the Israeli dealing with Turkey’s claims to Cyprus’ now teaches at Bar-Ilan University. Landau explained that in 2003 Israel companies want to know rules will not Navy, Rear Admiral (res.) Eliezer EEZs, and the recognizing of the Republic “External influences, however utilized no natural gas, whereas today be changed. That should be a basic Marom, explained the meaning of an of Cyprus by Turkey would be a prerequisite potent, have played a secondary 40% of Israel’s electricity production certainty.” exclusive economic zone (EEZ), waters to the building of any pipelines to Turkey role,” Karsh argues, “constituting is fueled by natural gas. According to in which a state has exclusive use of across a Cypriot EEZ. neither the primary force behind Landau, the sabotage of the Egyptian the resources which can be declared the region’s political development gas pipeline in 2011 taught Israeli up to 200 nautical miles from a state’s Ron Adam, Special Envoy on Energy for the nor the main cause of its notorious society what it meant to live again shores, and the difficulty of protecting Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed volatility.” During the Cold War, without gas, and the general fear of a an EEZ, compared to resources within the importance of Israel’s connection to the however self-servingly the rival similar situation, including electricity a country’s territorial waters. Marom international energy organizations such as superpowers may have treated the outages and rising electricity prices, mentioned that with sanctions against IEA and IRENA for networking purposes, Middle East, they found themselves is what pushed forth development of Iran soon to be lifted and Iranian and the ability to connect Israeli resources “time and again ...powerless to Israel’s natural gas reserves. Israel’s hegemonic ambitions emboldened, with international partners. contain undesirable developments.” success in developing the Tamar threats against Israeli maritime assets And today, “the region is sprinting gas field, discovered in 2009 and could increase. Dr. Efraim Chalamish, an international ‘Back to the Future’ [i.e., Islamism, online by April 2013, is a tremendous economic law scholar, discussed the salafism] and there is absolutely achievement, he said. Providing additional geopolitical partnership issues between local and nothing the Western nations can do perspective was Prof. Efraim Inbar of foreign gas companies. Ms. Gina Cohen, to reverse it.” Landau went on to blast government the BESA Center. He focused on the a consultant and lecturer on natural gas over-regulation of, and confused large share (90%) of Israeli foreign law and economy at the Technion Israel Karsh says that only when Middle policymaking regarding, the gas trade going through the Eastern Institute of Technology, discussed Israeli Eastern people take responsibility Yossi Abu, CEO of Delek Drilling. industry, which has deterred investors, Mediterranean and Israel’s relations export options. for their own actions, and when NEW BOOK NEW PUBLICATION Transforming Command Is Hamas a Social Welfare by Dr. Eitan Shamir Government or a War Machine?

Prof. Hillel Frisch says that the Hamas government in Gaza is another case study of the disastrous leadership which has plagued the Palestinian national movement since its inception

In a study published in December (Middle East Security and Policy Studies Prof. Hillel Frisch no. 116) BESA Center senior research associate Prof. Hillel Frisch evaluates the Dr. Eitan Shamir and his new Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen , Brig. Gen. (res.) Moni Chorev, veracity of the Hamas claim to concern The detailed study opens with a review book, with Prof. Efraim Inbar. and Dr. Eitan Shamir. for Palestinian welfare. of the impact of terrorism on Gazans’ access to the Israeli labor market, which “Hamas prides itself on a reputation for was the source of the relative prosperity dedication to the welfare of Palestinians,” Gaza enjoyed between 1970 and the Frisch writes. “It retains this image despite mid-1990s. It then proceeds to look at In June, the BESA Center held a the spread of low-intensity conflicts for military commanders to devolve The IDF needs to maintain its its responsibility for many kidnappings, the structure of government created by 12 conference to mark publication of and operations other than war, and a high level of autonomy of decision- ability to adapt to changing suicide bombings and missile attacks Hamas. 13 Dr. Eitan Shamir’s book Pikud Mesima differences in how military cultures making and action to leaders on the circumstances just like some of against Israel, bringing three rounds of (Modan-Israel Ministry of Defense, interpret, articulate, and exercise the ground. An effective model for doing its rivals are doing. Technology military conflict upon the Palestinians in A third section analyzes the degree 2015). This is an updated and revised command function. The book offers this has existed for some time in the cannot solve everything!” Gaza over the past seven years.” of freedom the Hamas government Hebrew edition of Shamir’s landmark perspectives on the development form of mission command and has been allowed to key civil institutions, such Transforming Command (Stanford UP, of military doctrine and the training utilized by the IDF and Western armies, He also warned that IDF “But when you examine the extent as the Legislative Council (responsible 2011), which has been endorsed by and education of tomorrow's military but with mixed success.” commanders, who once to which the Hamas government has for oversight of government activities) General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of leaders. deservedly held a reputation balanced the costs of war-making with and civil society organizations, the US Joint Chiefs of Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon for independence and initiative, the needs of the population it ostensibly which typically demand government Staff. Hacohen, a former are today exhibiting less of serves, you reach the clear conclusion accountability. A fourth section focuses corps commander and these traits. “They have become that Hamas has failed miserably at state- on government allocations to public The volume is required commander of the IDF too bureaucratic and stiff. building and reconstruction – despite the welfare, compared to military and reading in many military military colleges (who We need more IDF ‘bandits – international donor funds at its disposal. political allocations. The division of labor academies including recently joined the BESA shakers and movers – and fewer Hamas rule in Gaza is yet another case between the Hamas government and the the US army, navy and Center) argued that technocrats,” he said. study of the disastrous leadership which Palestinian Authority is included within marines, the UK military the IDF has become has plagued the Palestinian national this analysis. colleges, and in the too dependent on Brig. Gen. (res.) Moni Chorev movement since its inception.” IDF. Dr. Shamir has been technological solutions, of the BESA Center, also a The paper then proceeds to assess invited to speak at the rather than developing former senior IDF commander, the costs of war-making compared to US Marines U., the Navy traditional strategies to explained that in the new the resources Hamas possessed, and War College, Norway's cope with new threats. era of operations that are examines the ways in which Hamas Defense Academy, characterized by attrition and allocated these meager sources. This is and the UK Ministry of Hacohen: “Military centrally-conducted stand-off followed by a section on how well the Defense. doctrine is a function fire, there is less opportunity Hamas government coped with specific of culture; it is never for commanders to exhibit challenges facing Gaza such as electricity, The book examines in universal but is rooted independence. fuel, potable water, and sewage depth the experiences in time and place. For management. of the armed forces years the hallmark of the of the US, Israeli, and British armies Speaking at the BESA Center conference, IDF was the initiative and creativity of The study concludes by analyzing the in implementing mission command. Shamir said that “On today's complex, individual soldiers. Instead of the ‘art of formation of the Hamas- unity It reveals the key factors that have fragmented and fast-moving battlefield, war,’ today the IDF has become obsessed government, the failure of this body determined the success or failure of where combatants adapt constantly with the ‘science of war’ – statistics and to develop into a properly functioning implementation-factors such as the to exploit one-another's weaknesses, numbers of targets hit – but this does government, and the implications of this Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA), there is a demonstrable requirement not necessarily measure effectiveness. failure for Gaza’s population. CONFERENCE LECTURE German-Israeli British Commander Hopes to Turn Back Strategic Dialogue The Aspen Institute | Germany the Tide against Israel

In November, the Begin-Sadat Col. Richard Kemp: Center for Strategic Studies and Judeo-Christian principles of honesty, honor, the Aspen Institute (Germany) loyalty, family values, patriotism and religious convened a strategic dialogue faith are being rapidly eroded, and this paves in Israel. Discussions focused the way to an upsurge in anti-Jewish and anti- on defense and scientific Israel perspectives. cooperation, responses to terrorism, and perspectives on security challenges stemming from the Middle East. Ambassador Avi Primor, Prof. Joachim Krause, Brig. Gen. (ret.) Dr. Klaus Wittmann, and Dr. Michael Borchard. Colonel Richard Kemp CBE.

During a public session, discussion Eitel and Dr. Hannes Adomeit (Aspen The conference marked 60 years to Colonel Richard Kemp CBE was corruption, incitement to terrorism a desire to promote as superior the 14 focused on developments in Institute), Mr. Florian Waetzel and the establishment of German-Israel commander of the British Forces in or oppression of the Palestinian values of other cultures in a form of all- 15 Germany's defense and European Prof. Joachim Krause (U. of Kiel), Avi diplomatic relations; a period in Afghanistan. He first made global Authority; or the murder, brutality and pervading post-Colonial guilt.” policy, the Russian intervention in Primor (former Israeli Ambassador which Germany became Israel’s most headlines in 2009 when he testified in terrorist violence of Hamas, Hizballah the Mideast, the Arab refugee crisis to Germany), Dr. Hannes Adomeit important European partner. defense of Israel before the UN Fact or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. I have “The target is Western values in Europe, the special relationship (German Institute for International Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, spoken out at least as much against Al themselves; and Israel has become between Germany and Israel, anti- Politics and Security, Berlin), Dr. and then the UN Human Rights Qaida, the Taliban, the Iranian regime, a proxy for the targeted West. This Semitism, and Israel-Palestinian Michael Borchard (Konrad Adenauer Council. the IRGC and many other sponsors is reinforced by a pervasive and matters including settlements. Stiftung), Dr. Sharon Pardo (Ben- of terror and terrorist groups without increasing wave of anti-Semitism Gurion U.) Flatly contradicting the nasty anything like this level of attempted which intensifies the obsession with Participating were Dr. Jürgen Nielsen- Goldstone Report, Kemp confidently intimidation.” Israel; along with the desire to appease Sikora (U. of Siegen), Brig. Gen. (ret.) BESA Center associates participating asserted that “based on my knowledge violent Islam.” Dr. Klaus Wittmann (Aspen Institute were Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, and experience as a military “Rather it is for one reason, and that is and Potsdam U.), Col. (res.) Dr. Yair Prof. Efraim Inbar, Ambassador Arye commander, the IDF did more during because I fail to falsely condemn Israel In Kemp’s view, the Western media is Sharan (TAM-C FIRST Group), Prof. Mekel, Prof. Shmuel Sandler and Prof. Operation Cast Lead to safeguard the in circumstances where to even be extraordinarily culpable in driving this Joachim Krause (U. of Kiel), Mr. Peter Shlomo Shpiro. rights of civilians in the combat zones neutral on the subject is itself a crime deleterious shift in values. “Balanced, than any other army in the history of in the eyes of so many. It is because level-headed, impartial reporting warfare.” I have gone further, and used my in our media has been replaced by military experience and my objective hypocrisy, duplicity, betrayal and Kemp has been vilified ever since. view to explain and defend Israel’s sensationalism; the four cornerstones “In social media, I have been the legitimate military actions.” of violent radical Islam, as so often subject of sustained assaults by demonstrated on our TV screens by particularly virulent anti-Israel and Kemp visited Israel to receive an Hamas and the Islamic State.” anti-Semitic networks,” he told a honorary doctorate from Bar-Ilan packed BESA Center audience in May. University and to lecture at the center. His voice rising to a crescendo, Kemp “In universities, I have been the subject His contention is that over the past concluded that “to fight for Israel on of demonstrations that have sought thirty years the morality and values the international media stage is to fight to silence me. I have been accused of of the West have been undermined for the values of democracy, freedom corruption and being in the pay of the beyond recognition; and that this of speech and expression, and civilized Zionist entity. I have been deliberately inevitably leads to anti-Semitic and social values everywhere. Upon Israel’s denied business opportunities. I have anti-Israel sentiments. survival depends the survival of been placed on a terrorist death list.” Western civilization!” “This moral relativism is heightened Kemp: “This is not because I speak by abhorrence for the traditional Dr. Dima Adamsky, Col. (res.) Dr. Aby Har-Even, Dr. Eitan Shamir. Dr. Shlomo Shpiro. out against the moral bankruptcy, Judeo-Christian values of the West and CONFERENCE CONFERENCE Israeli-Saudi Relations: Best Kept Quiet Australia-Israel Strategic Dialogue

Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum and Dr. Jonathan Paris. Australia-Israel dialogue participants.

16 In September, “Beyond facing a similar threat from An improvement of relations with Saudi In October, the BESA Center held a conference and dialogue with colleagues 17 BESA Center associate nuclear threshold Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia, which controls the Islamic holy from the political, military and academic sectors in Australia, focusing on the Arabia have been brought closer sanctuaries, said Teitelbaum, would also Prof. Joshua Teitelbaum and together by the Obama administration’s work to improve Israel’s relations with strategic outlook in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, nuclear proliferation, Dr. Jonathan Paris of the strategic decision to draw down the larger Muslim world. He noted that homeland security, asymmetric threats (including terrorism and cyber warfare), its involvement in the Middle East by there have been meetings between Chertoff Group in the UK seeking a strategic balance between Israeli Ambassador Dore Gold, a senior defense industry cooperation, bilateral trade, and more. led a discussion on Israel’s Sunnis and Shiites,” said Teitelbaum. adviser to Netanyahu who was this year appointed director general of The dialogue was co-sponsored by Dr. Colin Rubenstein (executive director) There is little respect left in the Obama relations with Saudi Arabia. the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Ahron Shapiro (policy analyst) of the administration for Saudi Arabia, he said. Israel's foreign ministry, and retired Saudi general Anwar Eshki, an informal (ASPI), and supported by the Australia/ Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Obama sees the Saudis as responsible, Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Pratt and others. if indirectly, for 9/11 and the rise effort to see where the two countries' interests coincide, especially on Iran. Foundation, and the Peretz and Sheindel of Islamic State. “While Iran might Sherman Strategic Dialogues Program On the Israeli side, participants included support the terrorist Hezbollah and For these efforts to succeed, such contacts at the BESA Center. The Australian Admiral (res.) Eliezer Marom, former Bashar Assad, Sunni extremists have should be kept away from the media, he Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma Israel navy commander, Amb. Jacob profited from Saudi support. In that said; a view that was echoed by Dr. Paris. participated throughout and hosted the Rosen, Nevo Barchad and Raphael Morav case, the US seems to reason, better to participants for dinner. of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have the Sunnis and Shiites rein each In his talk, Paris elaborated on the Itzik Rabinovitz, vice president of Elbit other in by equalizing them. Riyadh succession process in Saudi Arabia Among the speakers and participants Systems of Australia, and Begin-Sadat and Jerusalem, however, view this as following the death of King Abdullah and were Stephen Loosley AM (chairman), Dr. Center for Strategic Studies associates support for Iran, and at their expense.” the rise to power of King Salman in January Anthony Bergin (deputy director), and Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror, Brig. 2015. Salman appears intent on advancing David Lang (editor) of ASPI, Australian Gen. (res.) Moni Chorev, Prof. Hillel Frisch, Teitelbaum said that it is worth members of parliament Gai Brodtmann Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen, Col. the interests of his immediate family at exploring how flexible the Saudis can and the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC, Senator (res.) Aby Har-Even, Prof. Efraim Inbar, be regarding the Arab Peace Initiative the expense of other Saudi princes. He Linda Reynolds CSC, Zeke Solomon AM Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman, Mr. Uzi Rubin, (API). “The API contains some aspects also has taken the initiative in Yemen of Allens Lawyers, Allan Gyngell AO of Dr. Jonathan Rynhold, Prof. Shmuel that Israel likes,” he said, adding that and engaged in an adventurous policy to Australian National University, Maj. Gen. Sandler, Prof. Shlomo Shpiro, and Dr. defeat the Houthi rebellion, the outcome Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jim Molan AO DSC Israel is trying to figure out “how (ret.) Jim Molan AO DSC and Maj. Gen. Max Singer. of the Australian Army. much it is a take it or leave it deal.” of which is far from certain, Paris said. Gus McLachlan of the Australian Army, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON US-ISRAEL RELATIONS The Arab-Israel Conflict towards a Post-Obama Era

In May, the BESA Center held an international conference to mark publication of center associate Dr. Jonathan Rynhold's book The Arab-Israel Conflict in American Political Culture (Cambridge U. Press, 2015). The conference was cosponsored by the Argov Center for the Study of Israel and the Jewish People, headed by Dr. Rynhold.

sympathy for Israel over the Palestinians Israel needs to take care to protect intriguing was made on the issues of Jerusalem, has grown among supporters of both its image as a democracy, while possibility of security and mutual recognition. parties, it has grown far more among demonstrating a credible commitment using Israel’s Prof. Efraim Inbar, Prof. Uzi Arad, and Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror. Republicans. Moreover, a majority to a two-state solution. That does not improving Makovsky bemoaned the fact that of Republicans believe that the mean that Israel has to give in to all ties with sub- the negotiations were conducted in Palestinians are mainly to blame for the Palestinian demands and dismantle all increasingly seen as a liability.” Meridor Saharan Africa as a way of connecting a “hermetically sealed negotiation Book author Dr. Jonathan conflict, that Israel’s use of force against settlements tomorrow. After all, the went on to express deep concern for with the Afro-American community. environment,” with no “synchronized Rynhold of the BESA Center. Hamas and Hezbollah is justified and US has many other issues to deal with the breakdown of “shared values” in political messaging to the Israeli and that the US should side with Israel. They and there remain very strong concerns American politics, and explained how The conference was capped by a Palestinian publics,” and thus no The conference looked at the are divided about settlements. about the other side’s commitment this made it difficult for Israel to base detailed and revealing presentation way to prepare these publics for the 18 domestic foundations of the US-Israel to peaceful coexistence. Nonetheless, its relationship with the US on shared by Mr. David Makovsky of Washington compromises necessary for peace. 19 relationship, US foreign policy in the In contrast, a majority of Democrats expansion of settlements is viewed as values. Institute of Near East Policy, who was Middle East, and US-Israel relations into support Palestinian statehood and challenging Israel’s commitment to part of US Secretary of State John Makovsky admitted that the Palestinian the future – towards a post-Obama era. oppose settlements. A majority prefers maintaining the possibility of a two- Prof. Walter Russell Mead of Bard Kerry’s negotiating team for the failed unilateral appeal to the International A great deal of the discussion centered that the US take an even-handed state solution, and is therefore to be College also related to the polarization Israeli-Palestinian talks. Makovsky Criminal Court and other UN institutions on the growing partisanship in US approach to the conflict, and they have avoided.” of American politics, but stressed that argued that “history will yet record blew the talks apart, and that Israeli politics and in discussion of Israel – an been equivocal regarding Israel’s use of the troubles in US-Israel relations run Kerry as Israel’s best friend. It will show construction in the settlements during issue that Dr. Rynhold studies closely in force, and divided over whether the US Mr. Elliott Abrams, former US Deputy deeper. “They stem from a US desire how closely he worked with Netanyahu the talks was mostly limited to lands his new book. should put more pressure on Israel or National Security Advisor in the George to disengage globally. Obama is more to Israel’s benefit.” that Mahmoud Abbas had already the Palestinians. W. Bush administration, agreed with a symptom than a cause of this,” he agreed (in his talks with Prime Minister In fact, Rynhold’s book provides Rynhold that it was important for Israel argued. The cold, hard realism about Makovksy said that there was far more Olmert) to forgo. “Nevertheless, the the most extensive account of how With the “millennial” generation and for US-Israel relations to maintain the world that was central to Jacksonian progress made in the talks than is atmospherics of the settlement issue Americans have viewed Israel and the increasingly liberal, how can Israel deal some sort of ongoing peace diplomacy thinking, has ebbed, he said, and known to the public, especially with were unhelpful,” he said. Arab-Israeli conflict since the end of the with this situation? “Bipartisanship with the Palestinians. “Israel must American dependence on Mideast oil regards to future borders and refugees. Cold War. On the one hand, American remains critical to maintain the special always be seen as making efforts for is at an all-time low. Mead stressed that Israel, he said, made significant Makovsky warned of “overshooting the sympathy for Israel is extremely relationship,” Rynhold said. “In order peace, even if the chances of such are Israel needs to find new ways to work concessions on the former issue, parties’ red lines” by a US-backed UN widespread and deeply rooted. Indeed, to protect support among Democrats, slim,” he argued. with American liberals, and separately, and the Palestinians on the later. He resolution that might seek to set out sympathy for Israel has surged to new with conservatives. He raised the admitted that no significant progress definitive parameters for the two-state heights in the 21st century in stark Ambassador Sallai solution. Instead, he argued for a return contrast to opinion in Europe. This is Meridor, former to an incremental approach where primarily in response to 9/11 and it has Israeli Ambassador strategic convergences and interests reinforced the underlying commitment to the US, added that can be leveraged towards a more stable to Israeli security. by building in the reality. settlements Israel On the other hand, Americans are was undermining Also speaking at the conference were increasingly divided about how to deal its reputation for former Israeli ambassador to the US with the Arab-Israeli conflict and this honesty. “While in , Dr. Amnon Cavari of division increasingly aligns with the the past settlements the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, major political, ideological and religious were an asset for Avinoam Bar-Yosef of the Jewish People divides in America. Israel – some to be Policy Institute, Dr. Faydra Shapiro of fixed assets, others to the Jezreel Valley College, and BESA In his conference presentation, Rynhold be negotiable assets Center associates Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaacov focused on the differences between Ambassador , David M. Weinberg of – today settlement Amidror, Prof. Eytan Gilboa, Prof. Efraim Prof. Walter Russell Mead. Mr. David Makovsky. Ambassador Danny Ayalon. Republicans and Democrats. While the BESA Center, and Elliott Abrams. construction is Inbar and Prof. Shmuel Sandler. Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen Joins the BESA Center Joins the BESA Center

Dr. Lerman: General Hacohen: False Palestinian narratives of Israel must reacquire victimhood and blatant lie-telling reveal sufficient ideological just how far the Palestinian leadership is determination to persevere, from accepting the premises necessary progress, repulse, and for true peace with Israel. overwhelm its adversaries.

Ben-Gurion favored this equally opposed to any further unilateral approach primarily because withdrawals too. Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman. Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen. he understood that to win a war, even a defensive Underlying Hacohen’s weltanschauung Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman has joined the In the Abbas and Erekat telling of history, Mahmoud Abbas and President Obama Maj. Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen has war, Israel had to seize the is the notion of ongoing struggle, and Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies Palestinians deserve to be backed by in March 2014, Erekat authored a critical joined the Begin-Sadat Center for initiative. In other words: Israel must be deep faith in the righteousness of the as a senior research associate. He has coercive global intervention to impose document, entitled "Study Number 15," Strategic Studies as a senior research proactive, rather than, reactive. Jewish return to Zion. served for the past six years as deputy on Israel “solutions that will implement which set the stage for the failure of the associate. He served in the IDF for 42 for foreign policy and international Palestinian rights.” There is no room in meeting in Washington. years, commanding troops in battle on “Restoring calm” in Jerusalem and This first part of this thought-process is affairs at the National Security Council these narratives for the long litany of the Egyptian and Syrian fronts. When he the West Bank (through anti-terrorist somewhat Bolshevik in approach: Israel 20 in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. For Palestinian past mistakes, misjudgments, Rejecting the “Kerry Framework" and retired, he was the last serving IDF officer operations, fences, roadblocks etc.), is engaged in a permanent revolution. 21 20 years prior to that, he held senior and missed opportunities, nor for any prospect of compromise with Israel's to have fought in the Yom Kippur War. Hacohen says, is akin to putting a Consequently, Hacohen says, Zionism posts in IDF Military Intelligence, and negotiation with Israel. minimal expectations on security and He was the last active IDF commander derailed train back on track – no more. must constantly seek to re-shape and also was Israel director of the American mutual recognition, Erekat’s document to have fought against Syrian troops It is a technical solution, not a goal- shake-up the strategic environment, Jewish Committee. His Ph.D. is from the What needs to be done, say Lerman, advocated the hostile course of action on Syrian soil; and was the only active oriented chess move that drives a new never giving up on its ideals despite London School of Economics, under the particularly in disputation or ultimately chosen by Abbas: A spate of IDF commander to have battled the reality. The Zionist movement always strategic and tactical difficulties. guidance of Prof. Elie Kedourie. in dialogue with those who are unilateral accessions to international Egyptians. sought to, and today too should seek Even if Israeli leaders can’t see where sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, organizations and a bid for reconciliation to, reshape Israel’s strategic reality the struggle might lead, they are In a series of hard-hitting articles penned is to make the point that endorsement with Hamas. “The results of those Hacohen served as commander of the according to its preferences. nevertheless mandated to push forward, for the BESA Center this fall, Dr. Lerman of the false Palestinian narrative harms dreadful choices are in, and they did IDF Military Colleges and commander of says Hacohen. has focused on Palestinian rejectionism the Palestinians’ own future. not serve the Palestinian people well,” the Northern Corps. For the past decade, Hacohen: “Those who view Israel as a and extremism. He demonstrates that Lerman writes. he has been in charge of designing stepping stone for redemption and as You shuffle the cards and create facts Palestinian wallowing in self-pity and “By tagging the Zionist project as the IDF’s major war games exercises. the Jewish national spiritual homeland on the ground. And then, drawing on rituals of bashing Israel, along with ‘colonialist’ in nature (i.e., transient Erekat’s "Key Points to Remember when He also commanded over Israel’s will act differently in responding to passionate commitment that comes blatant lie-telling, make peace a distant and perishable), those who do so help Reporting on Occupied Palestine" (a disengagement from Gaza. Last year he Palestinian violence than those who from true belief in your cause – religious- reality. consign the Palestinian people, whom document distributed in November published What’s National in National view Israel merely as a safe haven nationalist faith in the justice of Zionism they purport to help, to an ideological, to foreign media based in Israel) is Security (Hebrew: Ministry of Defense state. If the former, the government – have confidence that the Heavens will “My purpose is not to demonize the political and diplomatic cul-de-sac.” filled with bravado, distortion and Publishing House), which is a discourse should do more than just approve help stickhandle the helm of state. Palestinians, but to treat them, for a mendacities. The document rants on values and vision in the crafting of security operations against Palestinian change, as adults capable of coping with “’s record of lies and about “Israel's occupation, colonization, national security doctrine. terrorists. It should approve renewed “Our enemies such as ISIS and Iran are a culture of responsibility,” Lerman says. dissimulations is legion, and he seems Apartheid and culture of impunity,” building in Jerusalem and in Judea and resolutely motivated by revolutionary to be getting worse as he ages,” adds while making wholly untrue statements In two incisive recent papers for the Samaria.” ideologies,” says Hacohen. “In this Lerman deconstructs the speech Lerman. “He has been a central factor in about history, about international law, BESA Center, Hacohen has critiqued the situation, Israel can’t get by with leaders delivered by Palestinian Authority leader the Palestinian Authority’s abandonment and about Jerusalem and the Temple security approach of cabinet and military He sees settlements as forward outposts bereft of ideological zeal; stuck in a Mahmoud Abbas at the UN General of peace talks with Israel and its move to Mount. leaders to the recent Palestinian wave of Zionism, in addition to their being holding pattern or in a management Assembly in October, and a “media confrontation with Israel in international of terrorism. Their approach, he says, is critical to Israel’s military deployment in mindset. Israel must reacquire sufficient guidance” document issued by top PLO forums. His propaganda warps the truth Dr. Lerman also has written recently primarily defensive, and thus defective. the territories. “Where there is a farmer ideological determination to persevere, negotiator Saeb Erekat in November. and undermines peace efforts. History also on Russian ambitions, and Israeli on his land,” he says, “the army has the progress, repulse, and overwhelm its will yet record his abysmal diplomatic opportunities, in the partition of Syria. Hacohen reminds us that David Ben- strength to rule.” adversaries.” Both documents purvey a false role in the many mistakes of the He is now working on a project at the Gurion devised a security doctrine Palestinian narrative of victimhood, Palestinian national movement.” BESA Center studying strategic trends in that sought to transfer the battlefield Unlike so many of his left-leaning former At the BESA Center, General Hacohen is contain utter lies about Israel, and reject the Mediterranean. He is also teaching at into enemy territory. In part, this was military colleagues, Hacohen is utterly working on a project on the role of the any compromise on key matters in In advance of the fateful and fruitless Shalem College. because Israel's narrow borders make opposed to the establishment of a IDF military presence in the West Bank. dispute. meeting in the White House between defensive maneuvering difficult. But Palestinian state in the West Bank, and ‏PERSPECTIVE Jordanian Security and Prosperity: NEW PUBLICATIONS An Essential Aspect of Israeli Policy (HEBREW) By Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror and Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman

‏The stability and – to seek strategic understandings and for revolutionary (and Shi'a) hegemony impossible. Jordan's trade and economic Israel-Greece Relations prosperity of Jordan has remove causes of tension. encompass a directive by Supreme Leader growth has suffered tremendously. So Ambassador Arye Mekel been a central element Ali Khamene'i to turn the West Bank into Israel is investing in a large-scale trade Policy Memorandum no. 9 | Hebrew | of Israeli national ‏Moreover, this has been translated over the "the next Gaza", i.e., a terror camp, in active route from Turkey to Jordan (and points September 2015 security policy for three years into a systemic commitment by Israel pursuit of Israel's destruction. beyond) through the Israeli port of Haifa. generations of Israeli – and by Israel's friends, in Washington leaders – despite the wars (particularly in Congress) and in other ‏For this to happen, it is necessary first to ‏It is against this general background of of 1948 and 1967, and Western capitals – to advocate on behalf infiltrate Jordan and turn her territory cooperation and commitment that the despite other times of of Jordan's military capacity, social stability into "the new Sinai", an open conduit (as decision by Israel to build (in a modular tension. and economic prosperity. has been the case until recent Egyptian manner) a fence, along segments of the actions) for the supply of arms, explosives border with Jordan, should be read and ‏In 1958, David Ben-Gurion ‏While the Israel-Jordan QIZ (Qualified and munitions. It is thus a mutual interest interpreted. Israel is not turning its back on facilitated steps taken Industrial Zones) have became mostly to do all that can be done to ensure its neighbor, nor is this an indication that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with Jordanian King Abdullah. (Credit: Moshe Milner, GPO) by the West to help irrelevant since Jordan concluded her own that Iran and her proxies gain no stable Jordan is a danger of collapse. Rather, it is the Kingdom resist the free trade arrangement with the US, Israeli foothold on the Syrian side of the Golan. another tool designed to enhance mutual pressures of Nasserist assistance to Jordan in other forms – above security. An important common thread runs, if radicals. In 1970, Golda Meir – in close all, helping Jordan cope in recent years ‏High policy and security cooperation sometimes invisibly, through a number of coordination with the US – was willing to with the immense influx of Syrian refugees need to be complemented by closer ‏By severely reducing the temptation to use apparently unrelated policy ‏decisions and risk war in order to compel Soviet-backed – remains crucial, and recent allocations in Israel-Jordan ties in other fields. Over the Jordanian territory as a route of infiltration actions made by Israel in recent years. All Syrian forces to reverse their invasion of the US budget reflect this understanding. last decade in particular, the benefits of – now that the direct route from Sinai has have to do with Israel's strategic interest Jordan. (This move was successful). the peace treaty (the "Peace Dividend") been all but hermetically closed – this in, and long-standing commitment to, the ‏Significant segments of Israeli society are have became more visible. The growing new barrier will actually help Jordan cope safety, security, stability and prosperity of ‏Similarly, Yitzhak Shamir reached aware of, and engaged in meeting, this needs of Jordanian society (and the even more effectively with African migrant 22 the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. understandings with King Hussein during challenge. Several Israeli NGOs as well as swelling wave of refugees) require better workers, drug traffickers, and others who 23 the Desert Storm crisis of 1990-1991, youth movements are playing a role – infrastructure, especially energy and water abuse the present conditions. Israel’s "Deterrence Campaigns": ‏Among the decisions and actions that fall despite Jordan's ambivalent position never overt, but still symbolically significant supply. experience along its relatively new barrier Lessons from IDF Operations under this rubric are the understandings towards Iraq at the time. The peace treaty – in providing elementary support for with Egypt indicates that cooperation in Gaza reached as to the maintenance of the of 1994, under 's leadership, Syrian refugees in Jordan. ‏Water already is supplied to Jordan by actually has been enhanced with the Brig. Gen. (res.) Moni Chorev status quo in the Temple Mount/ Haram brought into broad daylight what already Israel well beyond the amounts stipulated Egyptians, rather than eroded, since the Middle East Security and Policy Studies al-Sharif compound; strategic advocacy on had been an enduring relationship. ‏The remarkable achievements of Jordan, by the Arava Valley Peace Treaty. Once barrier construction. no. 115 | Hebrew | October 2015 regional affairs with friends in Washington despite severe limitations, in tending for the February 2015 "Red-Dead" plan is fully (particularly on Capitol Hill) and elsewhere; ‏Today, Israeli policy makers are better the refugees deserves global support, and implemented, nearly 100 million cubic ‏Overall, it is safe to say that Israeli- the stance taken by Israel towards the positioned than ever to translate this pillar Israel's own response serves to emphasize meters (mcm) of water will be provided Jordanian relations, despite some points challenge posed by the so-called "Islamic of national policy into practical and positive this point. (Jordan is handling its more- from Israeli sources in the north – which of friction and the pressures of "anti- State"; actions taken to prevent Iran and measures, as listed above. than-one-million Syrian refugees far better is double the present amount, and a normalization" groups, will continue Hizbullah, directly or by proxy, from gaining than European countries are handling their significant part of Jordanian consumption. to thrive, and the mutual interests will a steady hold in the Golan, particularly in ‏Despite visible signs of Jordan-Israel much smaller refugee influx!) Half of this will be supplied in return continue to be translated into practical its southern parts; and the construction of tensions during the troubled summer of for water to Israel’s Eilat area which will aspects of cooperation. Hopefully, over a physical barrier along segments of Israel's 2015, new and concrete understandings ‏Amidst all this, Jordan has been able to play come from a planned 65 to 80 mcm time – and certainly, if and when the border with Jordan. between the two countries recently have a major role, both as a participant and as a desalinization plant in Aqaba. Palestinian position will once again make been reached at the highest political level host country, in coalition efforts against the peace negotiations possible – this strategic ‏It also includes economic policy matters (with the US Secretary of State in the loop). so-called "Islamic State" (IS). The horrifying ‏By now, gas supply is also within reach, building block can find its proper place in a such as the Netanyahu government’s often This includes an understanding to uphold execution of the captured Jordanian pilot, with a small Israeli supply line already broader regional security architecture. bitter political struggle (against a rising tide the status quo on the Temple Mount/ Mu'az al-Qasasbah – one of the most being completed to the Jordanian Dead of populist resistance) to ensure the ability Haram al-Sharif Compound and to curb graphic demonstrations of IS disdain for Sea Works; to be followed by a major line Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror is the Anne to export gas from Israel's offshore fields; and reduce the impact of provocateurs. the common values of humanity – did not for general consumption. Part of the fierce and Greg Rosshandler Senior Fellow at the maritime trade arrangements with Turkey Despite efforts by Palestinian Authority deter Jordan's king or people. internal debate in Israel over the "outline" BESA Center, and former National Security and new provisions for traffic at border elements to subvert these arrangements, for use of Israel’s offshore gas fields Advisor to the Prime Minister. He is also crossings, as well as Israel's over-flight Israeli-Jordanian cooperation has led to ‏Israel, for obvious reasons, plays no direct involved the strongly-held position of the a fellow at JINSA's Gemunder Center for policy; ongoing policy on water allocation a reduction of tensions surrounding the role in these ongoing efforts. Yet it is safe government in favor of exporting gas to Defense and Strategy. Col. (res.) Dr. Eran to Jordan, well beyond the requirements compound, even if Palestinian violence to say that the benefits of cooperation neighboring countries and peace partners, Lerman is a senior research associate at the of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty; and a (and PA incitement) has yet to abate. under the Israel-Jordan peace treaty make with Jordan at the top of the list. BESA Center, and former deputy for foreign move to implement the Red-Dead (Red Sea it possible for Jordan to make this vital policy and international affairs at the to Dead Sea) water carrier plan, including ‏This should come as no surprise. A contribution to the global effort against IS. ‏There are additional arrangements under National Security Council. a planned large desalinization plant in persistent and profound recognition of discussion to enhance stability and Aqaba (which would facilitate mutual water mutual interests (and mutual enemies) has ‏However, the "Caliphate" of the man who prosperity in Jordan. The conflict in Syria supplies). led both countries – regardless of who has calls himself Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is not has made overland traffic from Jordan been in power in Israel at any given time the only common enemy. Iran's ambitions through Syria to Turkey and Europe all but Beyad Halashon Communications / www.mesh.co.il

North American address: 5485 Pare St., Canada H4P 1P7 TEL: 514-735-1155 FAX: 514-735-3361 The BESA Center TheBegin-Sadat for Center Strategic Studies Bar-Ilanat University seeks contribute to theto advancement ofMiddle East peace and security conducting by policy-relevant onresearch strategic subjects, particularly theyas relate the to national security and foreign policy of Israel. Founded Thomas by Hecht, Canadian a O. Jewish community the a non-partisan is Center leader, and the to dedicated institute independent memory of the Israeli late prime minister Menachem Begin and the Egyptian late Sadat.president Anwar Advisory Board International and Founder Ph.D., Hecht O. Thomas Chairman, Vice Chairman, Saul Koschitzky, Marion Mr. Hecht, Ms. , Prof. Riva Hon. Heft-Hecht, Robert Prof. Hecht, Amb. Joel Koschitzky, Shlomo Hillel, Mr. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Levanon, Yitzhak Robert K. Mr. Lifton, Rt. Hon. , Rosshandler, Greg Reich, Mr. Seymour D. Mr. Norman Spector, Amb. , Amb. Muzi Wertheim. Mr. Advisory Board Academic International National Australian Desmond Ball, Prof. Ian Beckett, University Prof. University, SAIS, Eliot Cohen, of Northampton, Prof. Irwin Cotler, Prof. Johns Hopkins University, R. David, Steven Prof. McGill University, Yehezkel Prof. Johns Hopkins University, Lawrence Prof. University, Hebrew Dror, Prof. London, College King’s Freedman, of Southern University James, Patrick Georgetown Robert Lieber, J. Prof. California, University Council Executive Yossi Karsh Efraim Prof. (Chairman), Prof. Eytan Prof. Miriam Faust, Deutsch, Prof. Daniel Prof. Hecht, O. Thomas Gilboa, Dr. Uri Nir, Prof. Inbar, Efraim Prof. Hershkowitz, Shlomo Shpiro, Prof. Sandler, Shmuel Prof. Weiss. Avi Prof. Director Center Inbar Efraim Prof. and Bulletin Affairs Director of Public Editor David M. Weinberg Coordinator Program Waxman Koen Hava (Hebrew) Production Editor BrinerAlona Rozenman Administration Ortal Nahum BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITYBAR-ILAN Ramat Gan 52900 Israel TEL. 972-3-531-8959 FAX 972-3-535-9195 [email protected] www.besacenter.org

Prof. Efraim Inbar Efraim Prof. Maj. Gen. (res.)

Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Maj. Gen. Yaakov (res.) Maj. Gen. (res.) Eran Dr. Col. (res.) Maj. Gen. Yaakov (res.) Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Dany Dany Lt. Dr. Col. (res.) Inbar Efraim Prof. Maj. Gen. (res.) Prof. Efraim Inbar Efraim Prof. Dr. Louis RenéDr. Beres Dr. Max Singer Dr. Inbar Efraim Prof.

Yaakov Amidror Yaakov No. 299 Threats Enemy Israel to Converging | 2015 May No. 302 What Israel Can Do Now | July 2015 No. 301 against the NuclearSix Strikes Deal with Iran | July 2015 No. 300 The Unrealistic European Peace Offensive | June 2015 Syria's Chemical Weapon Syria's Obfuscations | 2015 August No. 304 Improving Ties between India and Israel | 2015 August No. 303 The Only Vienna Postpones Accord Confrontation with Iran | 2015 August No. 307 Israeli Challenges Strategic and Opportunities in the New Year | September 2015 No. 306 How Dangerous Israel? is ISIS to | September 2015 No. 305 Proactive Redemption in Responding Palestinian Violenceto | October 2015 No. 309 The Palestinian Victimhood Narrative an Obstacleas Peace to | October 2015 No. 308 The Russian-Iranian Gambit in Syria | October 2015 No. 311 Myths, Facts, and Wishful Thinking in Responding Palestinian Violence to | October 2015 No. 310 Shoham Amidror Yaakov Amidror Gershon Hacohen Lerman Amidror

Maj. Gen. (res.) Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Dr. Col. (res.) Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Dr. Col. (res.) Maj. Gen. (res.) Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Dr. Col. (res.) Maj. Gen. (res.) Shoham Dany Dr.

Prof. HillelProf. Frisch Lifshitz Yaacov Dr. Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Maj. Gen. Yaakov (res.) Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Dr. Col. (res.) Maj. Gen. (res.)

Lerman Yaakov Amidror and Col. (res.) Yaakov Lerman Eran Dr. No. 312 The Locker Committee: Preordained Failure A | October 2015 No. 313 Quo the Status on the Temple Why Mount Needs Change to | October 2015 This is Not the Third Intifada | October 2015 No. 314 Russian Ambitions,Russian and Israeli Opportunities, in the Partition of Syria | October 2015 No. 315 No. 316 Jerusalem Divided? Is | October 2015 Syria's Unraveling Gives Way to to Gives Way Unraveling Syria's New Regional Order | 2015 November No. 317 No. 318 Setting the Record Straight: Hajj and Amin the Nazis | 2015 November No. 319 The Lies of Saeb Erekat: How the Palestinian Propaganda Warps and Undermines Efforts Peace Truth | 2015 November No. 320 Cool Heads Needed in the Fight Terrorism against Palestinian | 2015 November Israel’s EmergingIsrael’s Relations in the Eastern Mediterranean | December 2015 Will ISIS pose Threat? a WMD | December 2015 No. 321 No. 322 Jordanian Security and Prosperity: EssentialAn Aspectof Israeli Policy | December 2015 PERSPECTIVES PAPERS No. 323 Yaakov Amidror Yaakov Lerman Lerman Yaakov Amidror Yaakov Amidror Lerman Gershon Hacohen