The Crisis of the Zionist Left Oz Aruch

Just Wars? Israeli Society through the War Lens

Ami Ayalon

What Happened to the Israeli Peace Camp? | PEACEMISM 1/9 Just Wars? Israeli Society through the War Lens

Ami Ayalon

Since the birth of Zionism in the 19th century, Defense is something that can be measured. and from the moment this ideology first took You can check yourself against your effect, has been at war. War is an all- goals every day. You can outline plans for consuming experience for any society, and defending against specific threats. You it is what shapes our identity as Israelis. War can create a system for dealing with such is the lens through which we see the world, threats and test its success. Security, on and through which we frame our past and the other hand, is an abstract notion. It is present realities. War is the measure by tied to the anxieties formed by individual which leaders are elected, children raised, and collective experiences, in Israel’s case and national priorities decided. throughout Jewish history. An allegory may illustrate this point. Tradition tells of a Jewish town in 17th-century Europe that Security & Defense was ravaged by a pogrom. As the assailants swept through the town, an elderly Jewish The constant state of war also drives the man stood at the doorway to his empty most painful conflicts within Israeli society. store, inviting passersby to come in and Pressing questions such as what is morally make a purchase. When asked what he was acceptable in war, who bears the burden of selling, he replied: “Security”.[1] Indeed, the fighting, how various parts of society should Yiddish word for security (bitokhen) also conduct themselves in wartime, and what means faith. are the economic repercussions To understand the political״ of war are topmost in the national debate. That is why to understand views of Israelis, it is necessary Israel from the outside, one must look at reality through our eyes. to consider the history of Jews ״.First, it is important to understand throughout the past centuries that Israeli discourse does not make the crucial distinction between To understand the political views of Israelis, security and defense. Unlike other countries, it is necessary to consider the history of which mostly have a Ministry of Defense to Jews throughout the past centuries. The past deal with international threats, Israel has is very much present and still shapes our a Ministry of Security (Misrad HaBitahon worldview. Hundreds of years of persecution, in Hebrew). the Holocaust, and the wars and acts of

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Tel Aviv 2/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon terrorism that have plagued the Zionist That is why it is an unjust war. project from the outset, have all shaped Israelis’ current sense of security. Israel is The truth is that the first war is over. Israel one of the most fortified countries in the won. The Arab world has accepted Israel’s world, by objective standards – a scientific, existence in the Middle East, thanks to technological and military titan. Yet its a series of military victories and several citizens never feel safe. That is because our diplomatic measures: the peace treaty with worldview is not shaped by how strong our Egypt; the 1988 Palestinian Declaration of defenses are, but by how unsafe we feel. Independence, which recognized Israel’s This insight is crucial to understanding the right to exist as a Jewish state within 1967 gap between how Israelis see their wars and borders (based on UN Resolution 181 and how the rest of the world perceives them. UNSC Resolution 242, which are included in the declaration); and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. After decades of fighting, The Just War Israel has triumphed. The member states of the Arab League have abandoned their Israel’s history reveals that we have been traditional rejection of Israel’s existence. fighting two separate wars. The first war [2] In a decision announced in Beirut in relates to the establishment and defense March 2002, they declared themselves of a Jewish and democratic state within willing to establish diplomatic ties with the pre-1967 borders and in the spirit of Israel and define the conflict over, the Declaration of Independence. It is a war contingent on the fulfillment of said Look through ״ .against countries and terrorist groups that international resolutions do not recognize the right of the Jewish the Israeli lens people to self-determination in their nation- Since its existence is an established and you will see state. This is a just war according to the fact, Israel is now only fighting the only one war: principles of international law and the second, unjust war. Trying to expand the ongoing standards of the international community. the eastern border at the expense fight for the The right of the Jewish people to self- of national security and democratic existence of the determination has been internationally principles is undermining the Jewish people in recognized – in the 1947 Partition Plan and legitimacy that the world originally ״ later in UN Security Council Resolutions accorded Israel – a legitimacy their homeland 242 and 338, issued after the 1967 and reinforced during the first war, 1973 wars, respectively. which Israel fought for its independence.

Yet look through the Israeli lens, and you The Unjust War will see only one war: the ongoing fight for the existence of the Jewish people in their Yet Israel is also fighting a second war. homeland, against enemies who deny their This one is aimed at expanding Israel’s right to self-determination. The image of eastern border until the Jordan River by Jewish-Israelis as “a small nation surrounded means of settlements facilitated by military by enemies” or a “villa in the jungle” is occupation. This war is fought beyond Israel’s proliferated by politicians across the board. national borders and violates the right of the All Israelis see is a justified war of defense. Palestinian people to self-determination, That is because our lens is colored by a which the world has also recognized in history of persecution, extermination, and various UN and Security Council resolutions. distrust of the international community.

PEACEMISM | What Happened to the Israeli Peace Camp? 3/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon

The common wisdom that “when push the military wing of some terrorist group, comes to shove, no one will have our back” a more extreme version is likely to take its lies at the heart of Israel’s philosophy of place if the overarching political framework, security. This is not surprising, given the in which these terrorist organizations are violent clash of civilizations playing out operating, will not have changed. In this war, in the Middle East as Samuel Huntington occupying territory and controlling a civilian predicted. Forty years of fighting between population for decades only begets more superpowers, countries, organizations and violence and terrorism. No one can pinpoint tribes have seen some two million people when it began and certainly cannot predict killed and more than eight million displaced. how and when it will end. The resilience of Israeli society will determine whether we Notwithstanding the common Israeli view, win or lose it. This war is also dangerous for the second, unjust war, which Israel is democracy, as it casts Palestinian citizens fighting despite having won the first war, of Israel as a fifth column in the eyes of the is not a war of self-defense fought against Jewish majority, thereby broadening the rift an existential threat. It is fought between between the two groups and undermining Israel and the Palestinian people, who are the principles laid out in the Declaration of struggling to achieve self-determination Independence. Allowing the second war to through organized and individual acts of continue tearing away Israel’s democratic terrorism. Being waged in the 21st century, foundations. this war, which has been shaped by the rise of digital social media, public opinion and globalization, is not fought on the battlefield Consequences for Israeli and its transformative effects reach far Society beyond the numbers of casualties and physical damage on both sides. Possessing Our political response to this constant threat a central cognitive component, the second of terror has created a “double fear effect”. war does not bring forward an end to the By succumbing to our fear of terrorists, we conflict, but only encourages terrorism, are letting them win. In this atmosphere, undermines Israel’s international status the public prefers security to human and and threatens its identity as a Jewish and civil rights and the courts are quick to deny democratic state. the rights of individuals and minorities seen as a potential enemy. Political leaders That is why the second war is different from and candidates use fearmongering to get the first one in its very essence; it cannot be elected, and then find themselves adopting won and its effects are detrimental to Israeli increasingly extreme positions to curry society; it is waged against the ongoing favor with an ever more violent and fearful threat of terrorist attacks, a threat that in populace. itself does not pose an imminent danger to the physical existence of the state; instead, The second war is tearing Israel apart.[3] it is the never-ending war on terror that Most Jewish Israelis believe that a Jewish poses an imminent threat to the country’s and democratic state strikes the right democratic institutions and values. The balance between a national home for Jews fight against terrorism in the 21st century and protecting the rights of individuals and is different from historical wars between minorities. This majority understands that countries in its very essence. It cannot be this vision of a national home can only be decided on the battlefield. Even if we destroy fulfilled through an agreement with the

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Tel Aviv 4/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon

Palestinians that will establish two states differ in their narratives on this matter. The for two peoples. Such an agreement will Israeli version, in brief, is that the negotiations enable the Jewish majority to define the began in order to restore security, in At present, fear״ character of Israel while protecting the response to Palestinian violence in equal rights of its Palestinian citizens. The the and international of terrorism is conflict dividing Israeli society centers pressure after the First Gulf War. overcoming the on partition and on the significance of Yet the guiding principle of the fear of Israel withdrawing from most of the territories talks – “land for security” – was losing its identity occupied in 1967. Opponents to the Israeli proven wrong. Withdrawing from withdrawal from the West Bank believe that Palestinian cities in the West Bank as a democratic ״this will threaten Israel’s physical existence; and handing territory over to the state supporters argue that not withdrawing will Palestinian Authority was only compromise Israel’s existence as a Jewish rewarded with more terrorism and violence. and democratic state. The catch is that Evacuating 8,000 settlers from Gaza and each side presents the other’s program withdrawing to the international border did as an existential threat. At present, fear of not stop rocket attacks. terrorism is overcoming the fear of Israel losing its identity as a democratic state. That is why, without going into the Palestinian perspective, security is the major issue that The debate over the future of the Occupied Israelis care about going forward. Any move Territories is informed by almost three that may jeopardize security will be rejected decades of failed attempts to reach a peace out of hand. agreement, whereby Israelis and

↓ Palestinians celebrate Israeli withdrawal from Gaza - Source: AP Archive

PEACEMISM | What Happened to the Israeli Peace Camp? 5/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon

Future Agreement the international community that Israel is willing to reach an agreement and does not A future agreement will therefore have intend to hold on to any territories other to stress two important elements: First, than those agreed on in the land swap. it must provide a clear diplomatic vision for the outline of the agreement. The Legislating an ‘Absorption, Compensation, “constructive ambiguity” of postponing and Voluntary Evacuation Law’ for settlers discussions about core issues to both sides living east of the barrier who will want to is no longer possible. Second, the progress relocate to Israel. The future of those who towards a negotiated solution will have elect to remain will be determined in the to be incremental; the guiding principle negotiations. Maintaining military presence of the and of subsequent in the West Bank in order to protect the negotiations, according to which “nothing remaining settlers and Palestinians, until is agreed until everything is agreed” with proper security arrangements are in place respect to the core issues, hindered progress as part of the final agreement. and prevented trust-building with the Palestinians, allowing rejectionist minorities By taking such an initiative, Israel will on either side to dictate a violent reality. send several important messages. For Israelis, the message will be that the two states solution is a national interest To guarantee its future as a Jewish and crucial to securing the country’s״ and democratic state, Israel must future as a Jewish and democratic state. make the two-state solution its top The mistake of the Gaza withdrawal, which created a vacuum that allowed ״security priority terrorist organizations to take over, will To guarantee its future as a Jewish and not be repeated. If we do have to continue democratic state, Israel must make the two- fighting, it will be a just war to safeguard state solution its top security priority. This the founding principles of the state. means taking independent steps to advance an agreement even if the Palestinians are The settlers will be framed as victorious. recalcitrant at first.[4] The four parts of They answered their government’s call such an initiative would be: to protect the vulnerable rear of the country, continuing the Zionist narrative of Announcing that Israel is willing to engage settlement as a means to achieving national immediately in talks with any Palestinian security. They followed in the footsteps of leader who accepts the principle of ‘two the ‘halutzim’, the pioneers who settled in states for two peoples’, based on UNSC rural areas before the state was founded Resolutions 242 and 338 and on the Arab and effectively defined its borders. The peace initiative.[5] Israel would also call settlers have achieved their goal, as they upon Arab leaders to join the initiative. forced the Palestinians to come to terms with Israel’s existence. Geopolitical reality Announcing that Israel has no sovereign has now changed and borders are no longer claims east of the Separation Barrier and will decided by settlement. As the Palestinians cease construction activities there. The idea and neighboring countries now recognize is not to create a border unilaterally – the the State of Israel, the settlements are no future border will be agreed in negotiations longer a security asset. That is why the – but to signal to the Palestinians and to settlers must triumphantly return home.

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Tel Aviv 6/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon

To the international community, the initiative community backs Israel’s initiative, that will signal that Israel is acting in the spirit of would undermine the legitimacy of the international resolutions, and not through Palestinian position. This may lead to force. Our continued military presence in international recognition of the Separation the Occupied Territories will be necessary Barrier as the border. The initiative will until an agreement is reached guaranteeing also send Palestinians the message that the safety of Israelis. it is Israel, not they, who will determine the Jewish and democratic character of The Palestinians will hear that the two- the state. state solution is a shared interest. This is not a surrender to terrorism, but rather At this time, no one can honestly promise taking action to ensure that extremists on that an agreement will usher in an era of either side will not dictate the future of the peace. The Middle East is a volatile region. region. Israel is calling for negotiations while Yet by taking the initiative, we will ensure taking independent action, without creating that if our children do have to continue facts on the ground that would hamper fighting, it will be a just war of defense to an agreement. Should the Palestinians safeguard the future of Israel, in the spirit refuse to negotiate, while the international of its founding values.

PEACEMISM | What Happened to the Israeli Peace Camp? 7/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon

Endnotes

[1] The tale appears in Sholem Asch, [4] The steps outlined here are based Kiddush HaShem (1926). on the program proposed by Blue White Future, a non-partisan political initiative [2] This position was epitomized by the of which the writer is a co-founder. “Three No’s” formulated in the Khartoum Summit after the Six-Day War, in August [5] The updated Arab Peace Initiative 1967: no peace, no recognition, no includes agreed land swaps, which would negotiation. allow most of the settlers to remain in the settlement blocs. [3] For further reading, see Micah Goodman, Catch-67 (2018).

Heinrich Böll Stiftung Tel Aviv 8/9 Just Wars? Ami Ayalon

←

Ami Ayalon Former Director of the Israeli Secret Service () and former commander of the

Admiral (ret.) Ayalon is a former director of the I.S.A (the Shin Bet) and a former commander of Israel’s Navy. Ayalon received the , the highest Israeli military decoration for his participation in the Raid in 1969. He has served as a cabinet minister and a member of the . Along with , he has headed the ‘People’s Voice’ peace initiative in 2002.

Currently Ayalon is the Chairman of the movement, committed to securing the Executive Committee of the Haifa Research future of Israel as a Jewish and democratic Center for Maritime Policy & Strategy. state through facilitating an inclusive Ayalon is also one of the founders of ‘Blue discourse to promote a two state solution. White Future’, a non-partisan political

PEACEMISM | What Happened to the Israeli Peace Camp? 9/9