Strategic Assessment

The current war in Lebanon has exposed some ideas and beliefs common among much of the political leadership and Israeli society regarding the State of Israel, its use of force, and the goals it pursues in using force. Some of these beliefs have accompanied the State of Israel for years and have surfaced previously in various confrontations and military clashes. There is no doubt that these conceptions wield great significance vis-à-vis Israel’s overall strategic behavior in recent years, and particularly in the present war in Lebanon. Precisely because of their weight within the Israeli society, and their impact upon the formulation of Israel’s strategies, these beliefs invite critical examination, which in turn can pinpoint the weaknesses and risks they incur. Three central conceptions will be analyzed in this article.