This article explores the need to strengthen democratic institutions and values in the decision-making process in Israel, in light of lessons learned from the State’s efforts thus far to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic. It presents fields where democratic resilience in states of emergency is imperative, and defines standards and criteria that can assist in preserving critical democratic interests in times of emergency. The article begins with a brief survey of the democratic backdrop in Israel at the onset of the coronavirus...
In early July 2020, Egypt opened its borders in an effort to renew international tourism and stimulate its economy, initially in three governorates, including South Sinai. Egypt is not excluding the entry of tourists from red zone countries, but the Taba border crossing is still closed on the Israeli side. Moreover, the travel warning issued by Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau, which noted that “the severe threat of carrying out terrorist attacks against tourists in the Sinai Peninsula continues,” has been joined...
Following the outbreak in Israel of a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and the government’s difficulty in successfully handling the combined health-economic-social crisis, growing voices – including among senior politicians within the governing coalition – are calling for the Ministry of Defense to be assigned the task of managing the campaign. Some are also calling explicitly for the IDF to assume direct responsibility for managing the crisis. This call was to be expected, especially given the high public trust in the IDF. The...
After some 100 hours of discussion, the leaders of the 27 European Union (EU) member countries reached agreement on a seven-year budget and recovery plan aimed at dealing with the enormous damage caused to date by the coronavirus. The total budget will be €1,800 billion, of which €750 billion will be allocated to the recovery plan. French President Emmanuel Macron described the agreement as “a historic day for Europe and a turning point in the history of the EU.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, rotating president of the European...
Encouraging the public to follow official guidelines was one of the challenges faced by decision makers during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in Israel, and the public’s failure to follow these guidelines is considered among the reasons for the outbreak of the second wave. This suggests that the leadership has not succeeded in instilling in the public an understanding of the danger of the virus, which requires them to continue to follow the official guidelines. Precise and credible communication plays a critical role in...
With the outbreak of the coronavirus in Israel, the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) set up a strategic-operational research team to formulate responses to the crisis on health, economic, societal, and security levels. To that end, we engaged some of the leading experts from the fields of health, economy, education, and welfare to contribute to the research and analytical thinking. We formulated a strategic approach to cope with and manage a crisis characterized by a high level of uncertainty (the INSS Strategic...
The COVID-19 pandemic erupted in what is commonly known as the “post-truth age,” when facts seemingly bear less importance than beliefs, emotions, and opinions. The occurrence of the pandemic in the post-truth age raises many questions regarding the role of facts in dealing with the crisis and the pandemic’s potential long term implications for the post-truth age. On May 27, 2020, the Lipkin-Shahak program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), “National Security and Democracy in an Era of Post-Truth and Fake News,”...
The current economic crisis in the Gulf states stems from the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on both the local and global economies, including the sharp drop in oil prices. This article examines how these states are contending with the crisis. Among the dilemmas facing the regimes: the extent to which the “contract” that guarantees overall welfare to the public can be compromised without upsetting stability; the extent to which employment of foreign workers can be curbed without harming economic performance; and...
The Chinese global “donation drive” in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis has sparked criticism of Beijing in the international arena. United States and international elements claim that China is using “mask diplomacy” intentionally, to leverage its contributions for political purposes. Indeed, it appears that both Chinese corporations and the Chinese government are exploiting the opportunity created by the pandemic with shipments of donated aid, partly as a way of posing an alternative to the United States as a global leader.
The “deal of the century” launched by U.S. President Donald Trump was well-received in Israel after its January 2020 launch in Washington. The two major Israeli political parties, Likud and Blue and White, assessed that it was favorable to Israel and declared their support for it. The proposal’s incorporation of the country’s security requirements and other core interests resulted in a program aimed at separating from the Palestinians and ending the conflict under favorable conditions for Israel.
The Palestinian Authority’s efficient and rapid response to the coronavirus outbreak underscored the Gordian knot tying it to Israel in matters of geography, economy, civilian affairs, security, and health. Israel’s new government would do well to recognize this, and consider the PA’s stable and effective performance as a critical component of Israeli national security. The ability of the PA to advance economic growth in the West Bank is a central component of this Israeli interest.
A survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) paints a complex picture regarding Israeli societal resilience following two months of a successful response to the coronavirus: the significant public health accomplishment has exacted a heavy price on the economy and society. The picture indicates a growing sense of stress, loneliness, and above all, profound anxiety concerning the implications of the economic situation. At the same time, it seems that a large majority of Israelis have adapted rapidly to the serious...
