Analysis | From Replacing the Leadership to Restoring National Unity: The Many Challenges Ahead
Every war eventually comes to an end. It is the strategist’s task to look into the future, set targets and long-term strategic goals, and anticipate the future of the day after
Lior Ackerman
| 31/10/2023
We are currently four weeks since the war broke out. The IDF is already performing ground maneuvers inside the Gaza Strip. This is a long operation with dramatic significance in achieving a decisive victory over Hamas and neutralizing its political and military capabilities.
Every war eventually comes to an end. It is the strategist’s task to look into the future, set targets and long-term strategic goals, and anticipate the future of the day after.
Here are a few important points that the State of Israel and its leaders must consider.
The government's long list of failures
The horrible Holocaust-like disaster must compel all decision-makers in Israel to fundamentally change their way of thinking. The collapse of the IDF's border defense, the absence of accurate and complete intelligence, and the inability of the police force, which is understaffed as it is, to respond to events of this magnitude - the government has a very long list of failures here.
The first failure was nurturing Hamas for 17 years and allowing it to grow, strengthen, harm the state's citizens, and remain in place with minimal disturbance, mainly for political reasons. This failure primarily belongs to Netanyahu, who served as the head of the government for most of this period, but also involves the governments of Bennett and Lapid.
The second failure is the collapse of all civil systems that were supposed to provide a response to the residents of the Gaza periphery and the northern areas during a crisis, replacing them with civilians and private organizations.
The third failure is the government's focus over the past year solely on the issue of the regime overhaul while completely ignoring all other core issues in the country, including the government's own basic principles.
The fourth failure is the field of public diplomacy, where Israel is repeatedly defeated.
The fifth failure is the collapse of the border barrier between Israel and Gaza, which cost billions to build and collapsed like a house of cards.
The sixth failure is the weakness of Israel's national and civil resilience and the absence of civil systems to support and assist citizens during times of crisis."
Here, Israeli society entered the war in a state of immense crisis, more polarized and divided than ever before under the auspices of government policy. However, in a rapid and astonishing process, and in the face of the shared enemy and crisis, the majority of the people immediately united, demonstrating their strength in times of crisis.
The citizens of Israel have proven that they greatly excel over their leaders. But even here, the next leadership of Israel will need to create processes that strengthen national unity, Israeli identity, and the common civic denominator.
So what’s next?
Immediately replacing the government and political leadership: even though the prime minister is the only one who has yet to assume responsibility for this enormous fiasco and terrible disaster, he and the government are those who bear it more than anyone else.
After 17 years of neglecting the threats posed by Hamas in Gaza and by Hezbollah in the north, and even nurturing them, and after a terrible year of dealing with the follies of the regime overhaul rather than bolstering the country's security and prosperity, it is time for the government at the man at its helm to resign and allow Israel to start a new era.
Replacing Israel’s defense leadership: Leading Israel's defense apparatus are outstanding individuals and commanders, and the various organizations and establishments also function at a very high level. However, something terrible has happened in Israel, and it happened under their watch. Israel needs to rebuild the preparedness and readiness of its intelligence and military for future scenarios.
Building a robust public diplomacy array: Public diplomacy is intended for the world, and as such, it should be executed and managed by highly professional individuals who are well-versed in international affairs and capable of crafting appropriate public relations strategies.
The government should place the most qualified professionals at the helm of its public diplomacy and coordinate it with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Establishing a substantial border defense system with Gaza and Lebanon: The IDF and the Ministry of Defense will need to create a new, robust border protection system, far superior to the one breached on October 7th. This system should provide genuine security for the residents of the Gaza periphery and surround them with an enhanced security framework, significantly better than what previously existed.
Changing the government structure and the electoral system: The future government of Israel must change the current, unsustainable electoral system and transition to a system that allows for long-term stability and the development of strategies that benefit the country and its citizens.
An absolute halt of the regime overhaul: The biggest failure of the current government. This issue should be completely removed from the agenda and, under the future leadership of Israel, a process of rebuilding, restoration, and improvement of all civil systems in the country should be carried out.
Restoring national unity: The future government of Israel will need to lead a national strategy to build a unified and shared Israeli identity. One that connects Arab Israelis and the ultra-Orthodox to the civic society, while implementing a stable constitution for this nation.
Domestic security: A significant strengthening of the Israeli police force and the establishment of a national guard throughout Israel. A skilled minister must be appointed for this role, in sharp contrast to the current situation.
The Palestinian Authority: A diplomatic initiative is required towards the Palestinian Authority to strengthen it and build future arrangements in the face of the West Bank and Gaza, in a government without Smotrich and Ben Gvir.
Foreign policy: Israel needs to be part of the reconstruction of the Middle East. Therefore, it must return to diplomatic discussions with both the Palestinians and the neighboring Arab countries.
Rehabilitating and rebuilding the Gaza periphery communities: The state should prioritize the rehabilitation of communities and agriculture in the area, enhance security, compensate the residents of the Gaza envelope, and allow them to return to living safely in their homes.
Only an earnest, professional, Zionist leadership that prioritizes the good of the state and its citizens over personal gain can achieve all this in the day after. And the day after is already here.
Lior Akerman is a former Shin Bet executive. He currently heads the National Resilience Department at Reichman University’s Institute for Policy and Strategy.
Every war eventually comes to an end. It is the strategist’s task to look into the future, set targets and long-term strategic goals, and anticipate the future of the day after
We are currently four weeks since the war broke out. The IDF is already performing ground maneuvers inside the Gaza Strip. This is a long operation with dramatic significance in achieving a decisive victory over Hamas and neutralizing its political and military capabilities.
Every war eventually comes to an end. It is the strategist’s task to look into the future, set targets and long-term strategic goals, and anticipate the future of the day after.
Here are a few important points that the State of Israel and its leaders must consider.
The government's long list of failures
The horrible Holocaust-like disaster must compel all decision-makers in Israel to fundamentally change their way of thinking. The collapse of the IDF's border defense, the absence of accurate and complete intelligence, and the inability of the police force, which is understaffed as it is, to respond to events of this magnitude - the government has a very long list of failures here.
The first failure was nurturing Hamas for 17 years and allowing it to grow, strengthen, harm the state's citizens, and remain in place with minimal disturbance, mainly for political reasons. This failure primarily belongs to Netanyahu, who served as the head of the government for most of this period, but also involves the governments of Bennett and Lapid.
The second failure is the collapse of all civil systems that were supposed to provide a response to the residents of the Gaza periphery and the northern areas during a crisis, replacing them with civilians and private organizations.
The third failure is the government's focus over the past year solely on the issue of the regime overhaul while completely ignoring all other core issues in the country, including the government's own basic principles.
The fourth failure is the field of public diplomacy, where Israel is repeatedly defeated.
The fifth failure is the collapse of the border barrier between Israel and Gaza, which cost billions to build and collapsed like a house of cards.
The sixth failure is the weakness of Israel's national and civil resilience and the absence of civil systems to support and assist citizens during times of crisis."
Here, Israeli society entered the war in a state of immense crisis, more polarized and divided than ever before under the auspices of government policy. However, in a rapid and astonishing process, and in the face of the shared enemy and crisis, the majority of the people immediately united, demonstrating their strength in times of crisis.
The citizens of Israel have proven that they greatly excel over their leaders. But even here, the next leadership of Israel will need to create processes that strengthen national unity, Israeli identity, and the common civic denominator.
So what’s next?
Immediately replacing the government and political leadership: even though the prime minister is the only one who has yet to assume responsibility for this enormous fiasco and terrible disaster, he and the government are those who bear it more than anyone else.
After 17 years of neglecting the threats posed by Hamas in Gaza and by Hezbollah in the north, and even nurturing them, and after a terrible year of dealing with the follies of the regime overhaul rather than bolstering the country's security and prosperity, it is time for the government at the man at its helm to resign and allow Israel to start a new era.
Replacing Israel’s defense leadership: Leading Israel's defense apparatus are outstanding individuals and commanders, and the various organizations and establishments also function at a very high level. However, something terrible has happened in Israel, and it happened under their watch. Israel needs to rebuild the preparedness and readiness of its intelligence and military for future scenarios.
Building a robust public diplomacy array: Public diplomacy is intended for the world, and as such, it should be executed and managed by highly professional individuals who are well-versed in international affairs and capable of crafting appropriate public relations strategies.
The government should place the most qualified professionals at the helm of its public diplomacy and coordinate it with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Establishing a substantial border defense system with Gaza and Lebanon: The IDF and the Ministry of Defense will need to create a new, robust border protection system, far superior to the one breached on October 7th. This system should provide genuine security for the residents of the Gaza periphery and surround them with an enhanced security framework, significantly better than what previously existed.
Changing the government structure and the electoral system: The future government of Israel must change the current, unsustainable electoral system and transition to a system that allows for long-term stability and the development of strategies that benefit the country and its citizens.
An absolute halt of the regime overhaul: The biggest failure of the current government. This issue should be completely removed from the agenda and, under the future leadership of Israel, a process of rebuilding, restoration, and improvement of all civil systems in the country should be carried out.
Restoring national unity: The future government of Israel will need to lead a national strategy to build a unified and shared Israeli identity. One that connects Arab Israelis and the ultra-Orthodox to the civic society, while implementing a stable constitution for this nation.
Domestic security: A significant strengthening of the Israeli police force and the establishment of a national guard throughout Israel. A skilled minister must be appointed for this role, in sharp contrast to the current situation.
The Palestinian Authority: A diplomatic initiative is required towards the Palestinian Authority to strengthen it and build future arrangements in the face of the West Bank and Gaza, in a government without Smotrich and Ben Gvir.
Foreign policy: Israel needs to be part of the reconstruction of the Middle East. Therefore, it must return to diplomatic discussions with both the Palestinians and the neighboring Arab countries.
Rehabilitating and rebuilding the Gaza periphery communities: The state should prioritize the rehabilitation of communities and agriculture in the area, enhance security, compensate the residents of the Gaza envelope, and allow them to return to living safely in their homes.
Only an earnest, professional, Zionist leadership that prioritizes the good of the state and its citizens over personal gain can achieve all this in the day after. And the day after is already here.
Lior Akerman is a former Shin Bet executive. He currently heads the National Resilience Department at Reichman University’s Institute for Policy and Strategy.
