Darkening Clouds on the Horizon

Israel is now in a period characterized by accelerated diplomatic and security threats. The recent worsening of Israel’s strategic situation has occurred partly as a result of developments in the Middle East and the global arena over which Israel has only limited control, and partly because of the lack of an appropriate response to these developments from Israel’s political establishment. The Israeli government, composed of political powers with what at times are diametrically opposing views, has avoided formulating a consistent policy with clear goals on key issues on the agenda, and has chosen instead to postpone decisions or mitigate immediate international pressure through partial steps. As a result, more than a year after the formation of the government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel does not have answers to many of the challenges that will influence its political status and its security situation in the coming years.