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The Challenge of Delegitimacy to Israel’s National Security. 10 th Annual Herzliya Conference, February 2010. Structure of Presentation. Attack on Israel’s Political-Economic Model. Strategic Existential Implications of Attack. Response: Conceptual Framework.
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The Challenge of Delegitimacy to Israel’s National Security 10th Annual Herzliya Conference, February 2010
Structure of Presentation Attack on Israel’s Political-Economic Model Strategic Existential Implications of Attack Response: Conceptual Framework
The Political Threat: The Resistance Network Military Superiority Nasrallah: “We do not need tanks and planes… [Israel] is weaker than a spider web.” (7/31/06) From Logic of Destruction to Logic of Implosion Main Working Assumptions ? Existential Threat: Physical From Logic of Implosion to Strategy of Implosion Ahmadinejad: “Israel is on a crash course… just like the Soviet Union disappeared.” (12/2/06) Main Arena: Military-Security IDF Protects the Nation Delegitimacy Overstretch Asymmetry Abu Mussa Marzouk: “failure of the political process will bring about the destruction of Israel (5/15/07) Aim: Sabotage Two-State Solution
Delegitmacy: From Kibbutz to Kibbush The Left: From Kibbutz to Kibbush (Occupation) European Muslims: From ambivalence to radicalization Anti-Zionist Israelis /Jews Toronto Networked: Generated from Hubs ‘Branding’ demonization: Israel = Apartheid Blurring line between criticism & delegitimacy Using human rights to make pro-Pal trendy Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Madrid Bay Area London Aim: Promote One Man, One Vote
Mid-Term Report & Feedback Loop Since WWII, more states have collapsed politically than militarily Mid -Term Report Increasing equivalence between IL & Axis of Evil Less room to maneuver vs. Resistance Network Logic of Implosion Fundamental Delegitimacy Exercising universal jurisdiction against Israel Undermine Two-State Solution Promote One State Narrative Internationalization of the IL Arabs issue Danger: Implosion
Relevancy Gap Potential Existential Political-Security Threat Resolving IL-Pal conflict solves problem Delegitimacy doesn’t hinge on IL-Pal Primarily problem of Hasbara Ideology, not arguments Political attacks signify nothing new New dynamic; new threat IDF military and tech superiority enough Israel suffers from strategic inferiority Victory won on battlefield Synchronized Victory Diplomatic arena not critical to National Security Political threat is strategic
The Response: Guiding Principles Foreign Policy Est.: From Wishes to Budget Focusing on Hubs Existential Threat: Plan Accordingly Intelligence agencies focus on Hubs Attacking Catalysts Engaging NGOs Networked Response to Networked Threat Synchronized Victories Branding Israel PM designates body that ‘owns’ issue Difference b/w Soft & Hard Critics Reorganizing MFA Inter-agency co-op on critical FP issues Relations Based Diplomacy