A Proactive Approach to the Strategic Challenges

Time is not working in Israel’s favor. Time is working against us in a number of areas, each deserving its own lengthy discussion. I will mention them briefly: a) Iran is on its way to nuclear capability; b) the radical axis – Hizbollah, Hamas, al-Qaeda – is growing stronger; c) with each passing day, the demographic balance between the Mediterranean and the Jordan River seems to worsen from Israel’s perspective, if we consider our prime interest to be a democratic Jewish nation. The bi-national option is raised anew every time we discuss the possibility that we will fail to arrive at a settlement with the Palestinians; and d) Israel’s actions are delegitimized on the international arena. There is international impatience with the occupation of Judea and Samaria and construction in the Jewish West Bank settlements. With regard to each of the issues, time is not on Israel’s side.