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Tightening the Belt and Introspection – Preparing for the Cut in Shekel Aid
Tightening the Belt and Introspection – Preparing for the Cut in Shekel Aid Saul Bronfeld “The Israeli Navy was always hampered by limited budgets, but achieved smart solutions… It resembles a painter, a poet – [who] creates his greatest art only on an empty stomach.” Brigadier General (ret.) Shabtai Levy1 Introduction The conference at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv on the subject of the defense industries2 can be summarized in two sentences: first, the defense industries are very important to the IDF, the economy, and the country’s outlying areas; and second, a reduction of the shekel component in US aid will have a severe negative impact on Israel’s security, the economy, and the local defense industries. Echoing these statements, most of the speakers at the conference concurred that the reduction in shekel aid was another reason to increase the defense budget for local procurement, and the sooner the better. Brigadier General (res.) Prof. Jacob Nagel, who led the drawn-out negotiations with the American authorities, was the only speaker who argued that the reduction in the shekel aid budget should also prompt some self-reflection on the part of the defense establishment. To illustrate his remarks, he recalled the collapse of Kodak, which failed to identify in advance the changing environment in which it operated. Saul (Sam) Bronfeld is a research fellow at the Dado Center for Interdisciplinary Military Studies, IDF Operations Directorate. Israel’s Defense Industry and US Security Aid 95 Sasson Hadad, Tomer Fadlon, and Shmuel Even, Editors 96 I Saul Bronfeld This article follows Nagel’s argument, and points to a matter that was not raised, but that should be before the budget is reshuffled to deal with an emerging defense-economic problem. -
Strategic Assessment, Vol 16, No 1
Volume 16 | No. 1 | April 2013 Leading from Behind: The “Obama Doctrine” and US Policy in the Middle East | Sanford Lakoff Eleven Years to the Arab Peace Initiative: Time for an Israeli Regional Strategy | Ilai Alon and Gilead Sher The Emergence of the Sunni Axis in the Middle East | Yoel Guzansky and Gallia Lindenstrauss Islam and Democracy: Can the Two Walk Together? | Yoav Rosenberg The US and Israel on Iran: Whither the (Dis)Agreement? | Ephraim Kam Walking a Fine Line: Israel, India, and Iran | Yiftah S. Shapir Response Essays Civilian Casualties of a Military Strike in Iran | Ephraim Asculai If it Comes to Force: A Credible Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Military Option against Iran | Amos Yadlin, Emily B. Landau, and Avner Golov המכון למחקרי ביטחון לאומי THE INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURcITY STUDIES INCORPORATING THE JAFFEE bd CENTER FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES Strategic ASSESSMENT Volume 16 | No. 1 | April 2013 CONTENTS Abstracts | 3 Leading from Behind: The “Obama Doctrine” and US Policy in the Middle East | 7 Sanford Lakoff Eleven Years to the Arab Peace Initiative: Time for an Israeli Regional Strategy | 21 Ilai Alon and Gilead Sher The Emergence of the Sunni Axis in the Middle East | 37 Yoel Guzansky and Gallia Lindenstrauss Islam and Democracy: Can the Two Walk Together? | 49 Yoav Rosenberg The US and Israel on Iran: Whither the (Dis)Agreement? | 61 Ephraim Kam Walking a Fine Line: Israel, India, and Iran | 75 Yiftah S. Shapir Response Essays Civilian Casualties of a Military Strike in Iran | 87 Ephraim Asculai If it Comes to Force: A Credible Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Military Option against Iran | 95 Amos Yadlin, Emily B. -
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Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Human Rights Studies Master of Arts Program Silencing “Breaking the Silence”: The Israeli government’s agenda respecting human rights NGOs activism since 2009 Ido Dembin Thesis Adviser: Prof. Yinon Cohen Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts 12 September, 2018 Abstract This research examines a key aspect in the deterioration of Israeli democracy between 2009-2018. Mainly, it looks at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Right-wing governments utilization of legislative procedure to limit the right to free speech. The aspects of the right to free speech discussed here pertain to dissenting and critical activism against these government’s policies. The suppression of said right is manifested in the marginalization, delegitimization and ultimately silencing of its expression in Human Rights NGOs activism. To demonstrate this, the research presents a case study of one such NGO – “Breaking the Silence” – and the legal and political actions designed to cause its eventual ousting from mainstream Israeli discourse. The research focuses on the importance and uniqueness of this NGO, as well as the ways in which the government perceives and acts against it. First, it analyzes the NGO’s history, modus operandi and goals, emphasizing the uniqueness that makes it a particularly fascinating case. Then, it researches the government’s specific interest in crippling and limiting its influence. Finally, it highlights the government’s toolbox and utilization thereof against it. By shining a light on this case, the research seeks to show the process of watering down of a fundamental right within Israeli democracy – which is instrumental to understanding the state’s risk of decline towards illiberal democracy. -
“Schlaglicht Israel”!
Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 3/17 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 1.-15. Februar Die Themen dieser Ausgabe Netanyahu bei Trump ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Räumung von Amona und umstrittenes Reglementierungsgesetz ........................................................................... 4 Wieder Krieg im Gazastreifen? ................................................................................................................................. 6 Medienquerschnitt .................................................................................................................................................... 8 Netanyahu bei Trump ness. He clearly sees who the Middle East good Im Vorfeld der Reise von Regierungschef Benjamin guys and bad guys are. (…) The meeting between Netanyahu nach Washington, dämpfte der neue US- Netanyahu and Trump will put a lock on the past Präsident Donald Trump die Erwartungen in Israel. eight years and usher in a new chapter in the history In einem exklusiven Interview mit der Tageszeitung of our region. (…) The time has come to put pres- Israel Hayom erklärte Trump, dass ein Umzug der sure on these who really sow murder and put world Botschaft von Tel Aviv nach Jerusalem, wie er ihn peace at risk: the various Islamic terrorist organiza- zuvor in Aussicht gestellt hatte, „wohl überlegt“ sein tions, from Hamas to Hezbollah, and dark regimes müsse. Auch bei Israels Bau von Wohnungen für -
Avoiding Another War Between Israel and Hezbollah
COUNTING THE COST Avoiding Another War between Israel and Hezbollah By Nicholas Blanford and Assaf Orion “He who wishes to fight must first count the cost.” Sun Tzu, The Art of War ABOUT THE SCOWCROFT MIDDLE EAST SECURITY INITIATIVE The Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative honors the legacy of Brent Scowcroft and his tireless efforts to build a new security architecture for the region. Our work in this area addresses the full range of security threats and challenges including the danger of interstate warfare, the role of terrorist groups and other nonstate actors, and the underlying security threats facing countries in the region. Through all of the Council’s Middle East programming, we work with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region. You can read more about our programs at www.atlanticcouncil.org/ programs/middle-east-programs/. May 2020 ISBN-13: 978-1-61977-099-7 This report is written and published in accordance with the Atlantic Council Policy on Intellectual Independence. The authors are solely responsible for its analysis and recommendations. The Atlantic Council and its donors do not determine, nor do they necessarily endorse or advocate for, any of this report’s conclusions. This report is made possible by general support to the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs. COUNTING THE COST Avoiding Another War between Israel and Hezbollah CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................2 -
Israel and Overseas: Israeli Election Primer 2015 (As Of, January 27, 2015) Elections • in Israel, Elections for the Knesset A
Israel and Overseas: Israeli Election Primer 2015 (As of, January 27, 2015) Elections In Israel, elections for the Knesset are held at least every four years. As is frequently the case, the outgoing government coalition collapsed due to disagreements between the parties. As a result, the Knesset fell significantly short of seeing out its full four year term. Knesset elections in Israel will now be held on March 17, 2015, slightly over two years since the last time that this occurred. The Basics of the Israeli Electoral System All Israeli citizens above the age of 18 and currently in the country are eligible to vote. Voters simply select one political party. Votes are tallied and each party is then basically awarded the same percentage of Knesset seats as the percentage of votes that it received. So a party that wins 10% of total votes, receives 10% of the seats in the Knesset (In other words, they would win 12, out of a total of 120 seats). To discourage small parties, the law was recently amended and now the votes of any party that does not win at least 3.25% of the total (probably around 130,000 votes) are completely discarded and that party will not receive any seats. (Until recently, the “electoral threshold,” as it is known, was only 2%). For the upcoming elections, by January 29, each party must submit a numbered list of its candidates, which cannot later be altered. So a party that receives 10 seats will send to the Knesset the top 10 people listed on its pre-submitted list. -
Compulsory Military Service As a Social Integrator
https://securityandefence.pl/ Compulsory military service as a social integrator Ronen Itsik [email protected] https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2452-9430 Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Wieniawskiego 1, 61-712 Poznan, Poland Abstract Compulsory military service has become very rare over the last 30 years, in the western world. In the past, most countries con- sidered military service as a socialisation platform, given the fact that most of the population was recruited and military units were a "meeting point" for different cultures – because of that the service then was functional as a social integrator. The current research studied changes in social attitude during compulsory military service in Israel, where the society is considered to be es- sentially divided around ethnical and national issues. This study is based on an analysis of the attitudes of 3200 internet ques- tionnaire participants via social networks in Israel, followed by a U-test of the collected data. Half of the participants were high-school students (average age 17) and half of them discharged soldiers (average age 23). Analysis of the results reveals sig- nificant evidence: discharged soldiers tend to be more tolerant then high-school students with regard to other cultures and eth- nic origins. A discharged IDF soldier is less afraid of security threats and considers budget prioritisation towards social welfare to be more important than security challenges. These findings show that compulsory military service can still be effective as a so- cial integrator, even in the post-modern world where countries are dealing with migration issues and ethno-national tensions. Keywords: social integration, defence belief, security threat, post-modern army Article info Received: 30 April 2020 Revised: 20 June 2020 Accepted: 26 June 2020 Available online: 4 September 2020 DOI: http://doi.org/10.35467/sdq/124710 © 2020 R. -
Fathom Journal Issue 22
Fathom Journal Issue 22 DEBORAH FINEBLUM AMOS YADLIN SHABTAI SHAVIT GARY KENT JOEL SINGER NADAV EYAL RAPHAEL ALMAGOR PAUL IDDON JOHN LYNDON LIAM HOARE ADAM LEBOR JAMES SORENE PHILIP MENDES ALAN JOHNSON JOHN STRAWSON YOCHANAN PLESNER ERAN EZTION 1 YADLIN| ISRAEL’S STRATEGIC CHALLENGES FOUR STRATEGIC THREATS ON ISRAEL’S RADAR | A SPECIAL BRIEFING BY FORMER IDF INTELLIGENCE HEAD AMOS YADLIN AMOS YADLIN Speaking at a private forum in late 2018, Director of the Institute for National Security Studies, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Yadlin presents an overview of the different regional threats facing Israel as well as the ongoing challenge of the Russian presence in the Middle East. Below is an edited transcript of his remarks. Introduction Israel faces numerous strategic security challenges both on its borders and hundreds of miles away. Its main security challenges come from Hamas in Gaza, Iran’s entrenchment in Syria, Leb- anese Hezbollah, and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In order to fully understand the scope of these threats, one must analyse them on a scale of immediacy and severity [see infographic 1]. Hamas is the most immediate threat Israel faces, but the least severe. The next most immediate threat is the Syrian civil war coupled with Iran’s entrenchment in the country. After that comes the medi- um-term threat posed by Hezbollah, a far more severe challenge. The most severe and long-term threat Israel faces is Iran’s nuclear ambitions. This essay will analyse the scope, severity, and im- mediacy of these threats. Infographic 1: Threats to Israel’s National Security 2 FATHOM 22 The threat from Hamas When analysing the situation in Gaza, one cannot disconnect it from Israel’s other three main se- curity challenges – the Syrian civil war, Hezbollah, and the Iranian nuclear threat. -
The Army and Society Forum the IDF and the PRESS DURING HOSTILITIES
The Army and Society Forum THE IDF AND THE PRESS DURING HOSTILITIES ��� ������ ������� ������ ��� ������ ��������� ��������� ��� ��� ��� ��� ����� ������ ����������� � ��������� ���� �� � ���� ���� �� ��� ������ ��������� ��������� ��� ���� ��� ������� ����� 5 Editor in Chief: Uri Dromi Administrative Director, Publications Dept.: Edna Granit English Publications Editor: Sari Sapir Translators: Miriam Weed Sari Sapir Editor: Susan Kennedy Production Coordinator: Nadav Shtechman Graphic Designer: Ron Haran Printed in Jerusalem by The Old City Press © 2003 The Israel Democracy Institute All rights reserved. ISBN 965-7091-67-5 Baruch Nevo heads The Army and Society Forum at The Israel Democracy Institute and is Professor of Psychology at Haifa University. Yael Shur is a research assistant at The Israel Democracy Institute. The views in this publication are entirely those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Israel Democracy Institute. 5 Table of Contents PART ONE The IDF and the Press during Hostilities Baruch Nevo and Yael Shur Preface 6 Introduction 7 The Media as a Strategic Consideration in Preparation for War 13 The IDF and the Media: Reciprocal Relations 21 A Research Agenda 35 PART TWO Opening Plenary Session 37 Discussion Groups Group 1: The Media as a Strategic Consideration in Preparation for War 58 Group 2: The IDF's Approach to the Media 88 Group 3: The Media’s Stance towards the IDF 119 Closing Plenary Session 139 Group Reports 151 6 The IDF and the Press during Hostilities 7 PART ONE The IDF and the Press during Hostilities Baruch Nevo and Yael Shur PREFACE The fifth meeting of the Army and Society Forum, held in the summer of 2002, dealt with issues related to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the media in wartime. -
Israel and the Middle East News Update
Israel and the Middle East News Update Friday, May 15 Headlines: ● Netanyahu Postpones Government Swearing-In Until Sunday ● Peretz Joins New Gov’t as Minister of Jerusalem Affairs ● Bibi, Gantz Will ‘Take a While’ to Decide on Annexation ● Senate Legislation Seeks to Lessen Dependence on China ● EU Condemns Hate Speech in Palestinian Textbooks ● Palestinians Vow to Foil Annexation and Trump Plan ● Clashes Erupt in Wadi Ara Over Sheba Stabber's Death ● Netanyahu Orders Opening of Schools in 'Safe' Areas Commentary: ● Israel Hayom: “Politicians Can Scent Weakness from Afar” − By Matti Tuchfeld ● Ma’ariv: “Tar and Feather” − By Ben Caspit S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace 633 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20004 The Hon. Robert Wexler, President News Excerpts May 15, 2020 Ynet News Likud Rebellion Delays Knesset Swearing-In Prime Minister Netanyahu delayed the swearing-in of the new government, just hours before it was due to take place, until Sunday. The prime minister has not yet finalized a new position for seven of his close supporters most of whom were ministers in his recent cabinet. A significant portion of the posts have not yet been filled, leaving responsibility for budgets worth tens of billions of shekels to last-minute horse trading. "It's stuck with some of the ministries. Netanyahu has yet to reach a deal with Yoav Galant, Ze'ev Elkin, Nir Barkat, Gila Gamliel, Tzipi Hotoveli, David Amsalem and Avi Dichter," Likud officials said. The former Shin Bet chief told his associates: "Such disrespect is not shown only to me, but spits in the face of 130,000 Likud officials who elected me to the top 10 of the Likud." Blue & White leader Benny Gantz agreed to the delay in order to give Netanyahu more time to allocate cabinet posts to those Likud members, a joint statement said. -
'Strategy and Iran Directorate' Under General Staff
MIDDLE EAST, NORTH AFRICA Israel Establishes New ‘Strategy and Iran Directorate’ Under General Staff OE Watch Commentary: On 18 February, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the creation of a new directorate within the General Staff, called the “Strategy and Iran Directorate” to address growing Iranian threats and coordinate actions against Iran under one roof. The accompanying passages from local sources discuss this new directorate and subsequent changes to the structure of the IDF. The first article from The Times of Israel describes the design of the new Iran Directorate. Currently, the IDF has Major General Amir Baram leading the Northern Command in overseeing operations and threats stemming from Hezbollah while Major General Herzi Halevi and the Southern Command oversee the fight against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Similarly, the IDF will now have a major general overseeing operations and threats coming directly from Iran. This means that the responsibility for overseeing threats from and actions towards Israel Defense Forces - Nahal’s Brigade Wide Drill. Iran is split between multiple different sections of the Israeli Military such as Source: Flickr via Wikimedia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_Israel_Defense_Forces_-_Nahal%27s_ Brigade_Wide_Drill_(1).jpg, CC BY 3.0 the Air Force, the Operations Directorate, the Planning Directorate, and Military Intelligence. The second article from The Times of Israel states the Strategy and Iran Directorate will not be responsible for overseeing threats from Iranian proxy forces but only Iran itself, even though Iran has ties to multiple organizations across the region. It reports that the directorate “will be responsible for countering Iran only, not its proxies, like the Hezbollah terror group, which will remain the purview of the IDF Northern Command.” Brigadier General Tal Kalman, currently in charge of the IDF’s Strategic Division, will be promoted to major general and will lead the Strategy and Iran Directorate. -
Russia in Syria and the Implications for Israel Israel's Imagined
Volume 19 | No. 2 | July 2016 Russia in Syria and the Implications for Israel Amos Yadlin Israel’s Imagined Role in the Syrian Civil War Tha‘er al-Nashef and Ofir Winter Will Russia and Iran Walk Hand in Hand? Ephraim Kam Changes in Hezbollah’s Identity and Fundamental Worldview Roman Levi No Magic Solution: The Effectiveness of Deporting Terrorists as a Counterterrorism Policy Measure Adam Hoffman A Troubling Correlation: The Ongoing Economic Deterioration in East Jerusalem and the Current Wave of Terror Amit Efrati Troubles in Paradise: The New Arab Leadership in Israel and the Challenges of the Hour Doron Matza, Meir Elran, and Mohammed Abo Nasra Selective Engagement: China’s Middle East Policy after the Arab Spring Wang Jin China and Turkey: Closer Relations Mixed with Suspicion Galia Lavi and Gallia Lindenstrauss Israel and the International Criminal Court: A Legal Battlefield Bar Levy and Shir Rozenzweig Israel’s Second War Doctrine Ron Tira Strategic ASSESSMENT Volume 19 | No. 2 | July 2016 CONTENTS Abstracts | 3 Russia in Syria and the Implications for Israel | 9 Amos Yadlin Israel’s Imagined Role in the Syrian Civil War | 27 Tha‘er al-Nashef and Ofir Winter Will Russia and Iran Walk Hand in Hand? | 41 Ephraim Kam Changes in Hezbollah’s Identity and Fundamental Worldview | 53 Roman Levi No Magic Solution: The Effectiveness of Deporting Terrorists as a Counterterrorism Policy Measure | 67 Adam Hoffman A Troubling Correlation: The Ongoing Economic Deterioration in East Jerusalem and the Current Wave of Terror | 81 Amit Efrati Troubles