If the Israeli government’s stated goal was to “change the paradigm” that governs its management of such conflicts, then much of the business was left unfinished
However, if the Israeli government’s stated goal was to “change the paradigm” that governs its management of such conflicts, strategically, politically, and militarily, then much of the business was left unfinished. What follows is a short list of paradigms that are long overdue for change.
The right of a nation to defend itself against armed aggression is codified in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Yet every time Israel is attacked by Hamas or Hezbollah, it feels it has to go the extra mile, groveling for international approval, and then profusely thanking the president of the United States for supporting a right that any nation has under international law. Some 45 other armed conflicts are raging in the world, with casualty figures higher than or equal to what we just experienced in Israel and Gaza. How many of those nations do you hear appealing for the right to defend themselves? Israel needs to invoke its rights and cease pleading for support.
The mantra that Israel does a lousy job of “hasbarah,” or public relations, is a line I’ve been hearing decades before my beard began to sport gray hairs. Most every country — and corporation, for that matter — could improve its PR, but Israel has a long list of eloquent and forceful voices who speak unaccented English, whether it be Binyamin Netanyahu tussling on Face the Nation or Naftali Bennett brawling on the BBC. We shoot ourselves in the feet harboring unrealistic expectations that the right combination of slick statements and timely tweets will convince our detractors and enemies. Whom do we hope to convince? AOC? Louis Farrakhan? Concerted efforts should be made to close ranks among as many of our fellow Jews as possible who still have open minds.
There is no doubt that the Iron Dome is an impressive piece of technology. It shot down some 80% of the Hamas missiles that reached Israeli territory, by some estimates. President Reagan was one of the first world leaders to understand the importance of anti-missile defense when he proposed his “Star Wars” program. President Biden has promised to replace the Iron Dome batteries we lost, and for that, he deserves thanks. However, over-reliance on the Iron Dome lulls us into complacency. It means Israel sits back passively and absorbs a certain “acceptable” number of rocket attacks, instead of taking the battle to the enemy. Here, Prime Minister Netanyahu also declared clearly that particular paradigm will change in favor of a zero-tolerance policy. Time will tell if his deeds match his words.
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