Israel - Multi-Arena Challenges
Preliminary Insights and Recommendations for a New Government in Israel
By the Institute for Policy and Strategy Team, IPS,
Executive Director Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilead | April 17, 2020
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| Photo: Beny Shlevich | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
In the shadow of the Coronavirus crisis, the State of Israel stands on the threshold of establishing a new government. This Government will have to cope with multi-arena challenges in the national security and societal resilience realms.
The document that follows presents preliminary insights and recommendations for possible courses for action in four central arenas - in the present and the future.
The National Domestic Arena
1
Crisis Management and Decision-Making
The Challenge:
The crisis exposed gaps and severe failures in preparedness of Israel’s home front, failings that including among others, the handling of the situation on a national level in the absence of an effective orchestrating body; lack of a systematic and organized grasp on the situation or a precise and up-to-date picture; faulty synchronization between government ministries; non-optimal utilization of resources; gaps in enforcement and more.
Policy Recommendations:
Establishment of a ‘Coronavirus cabinet’ that will take immediate command of the crisis as a whole, coordinate between government ministries and their subordinate bodies, guide them, allocate resources for them and receive ongoing reports. This is needed in a host of domains, first and foremost in health matters (policy, testing, acquisitions, protective gear for teams), the economy and society (appropriate response to urgent problems of the citizenry), communications and hasbara (a national headquarter) and more.
This cabinet needs to constitute the opening shot for updating Israel’s “combat doctrine” for emergency situations, including natural disasters and war.
Parallel to this, a decision must be taken to establish a national commission of inquiry whose findings and directives will be binding, which should focus first and foremost on neglect of the health system over years; all this, in order to learn lessons and formulate recommendations to meet times of trial in the future.
2
The Rule of Law and the Gatekeepers
The Challenge:
Undermining of public trust in institutions and machinery of the rule of law, in enforcement bodies and gatekeepers who ensure the identity, the character and the conduct of Israel as a democratic country.
Policy Recommendations:
Urgent and broad mobilization of the Government and elected officials to avoid and prevent inflammatory discourse, protect judicial institutions and rule of law, and safeguard their authority. The Government needs to formulate a national program to uproot corruption; act to strengthen the legal system (solutions to congestion and overload in the courts, introduce transparency in appointment of judgeships); and immediately appoint an Inspector General of the Police Force, Attorney General and Commissioner of the Prison Service.
3
The Defense Establishment at a Critical Hour
The Challenge:
In the shadow of the Coronavirus crisis, it can be expected that security challenges will only intensify in all arenas. This, at a time that the Israeli military is being ‘sucked into’ assuming non-military (‘civic’) missions, while due to changing priorities, its budgetary needs may not receive full address.
Policy Recommendations:
The cabinet and the army need to chart a new course and carry out adjustments in the IDF’s Multi-Year Tnufa Plan. This requires definition of a working plan, delineation of objectives, priorities and suitable budgets for new circumstances. Taking into consideration, first and foremost, the complex economic situation that will require transfer of funds and resources to the civil sector.
Parallel to this, American military aid to the tune of close to $15 B per year sits in the shadows, unattended to. This, until a binding decision by the cabinet in regard to priorities in IDF force build-up can be taken, first and foremost, the IAF buildup and other service branches. The Government urgently needs to decide how to use American aid available to Israel.
4
Policy Implementation in the War against Coronavirus
The Challenge:
Dealing with ‘enclaves’ - primarily in the haridi (Ultra-Orthodox) and Arab sectors - where adoption of social distancing directives and emergency decrees has been wanting.
Policy Recommendations:
Uncompromised implementation and enforcement of government policy country-wide as the order of the day in order to save lives!
5
Arab Society in Israel
The Challenge:
Plummeting expectations among the Arab public, following what appeared to be harbingers of unprecedented integration in the political arena, that while reflecting yearning for involvement and influence in all aspects of life society, failed to reach fruition. This, at a time that the threat of the Coronavirus in the Arab sector is deepening, and the blight of crime and violence in the sector continues unabated.
Policy Recommendations:
Rapid governmental intervention, designed to deepen trust within Arab society. It is recommended that appointment of an Israeli-Arab minister be considered; to formulate a broad-based budgeted plan to deal with the blight of crime (along side the Knesset Committee on this issue already operating); and to strive in the mid-term for integration of more Arab citizens in Zionist parties.
The Iranian Threat Arena
The Challenge:
Under the growing shadow of the Coronavirus crisis, the regime in Teheran continues to build its strategic capabilities in the nuclear realm and in surface-to-surface missile. The regime announced recently an ‘around-the-clock’ effort to complete development and operation of advanced centrifuges, and its project to increase the destructive power of Iran’s surface-to-surface missile warheads. This takes place parallel to ongoing Iranian efforts to increase threats to the Israeli home front from Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
Policy Recommendations:
To put dealing with Iran’s nuclear challenge at the top of security-diplomatic priorities, while conducting serious talks with the American administration to reach a common language and agreement about the challenge and the best response to it. Continue to Iran’s efforts to establish a greater presence in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
The Palestinian Arena: Gaza and the Palestinian Authority
1
Gaza
The Challenge:
The potential for collapse and medical chaos and a humanitarian crisis could be a matter of time.
Policy Recommendations:
To designate the issue as a core challenge that requires an immediate and resolute response and massive preparation to assist the Gaza Strip due to the paramount interest to prevent a humanitarian crisis that could lead to deterioration in the security situation.
2
The Palestinian Authority
The Challenge:
Maintenance of stability and prevention of leakage of security or health threats into Israeli territory.
Policy Recommendations:
Maintain and deepen cooperation with the Palestinian Authority. The vital importance of this cooperation has already been clearly demonstrated by the Coronavirus crisis. A concerted effort in the health domain is called for, in order to prevent the need to cut Palestinian employment and sources of livelihoods in Israel.
3
The Arab States Arena
The Challenge:
Growing distress in Arab states (reports on shortages of basic goods). This, in the shadow of extended economic crisis and the absence of infrastructures and services capable of providing for ongoing needs of the public, even under normal conditions. This distress is liable to become a potential threat to the stability of surrounding regimes.
Policy Recommendations:
A national effort to put in action all communication channels available - directly and through mobilizing the United States and other countries. This, to assist particularly, Jordan and Egypt in the medical and security domain and with the economy. The stability of Israel’s borders with neighboring Arab states is a strategic asset that saves Israel lives and significant economic resources.
Authored by the Institute for Policy and Strategy Team, IPS, Executive Director Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilead
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