The world is divided into two blocs today, one – the Western – tired, exhausted, divided, without leadership, lacking an agenda and not wanting to use its power. The other – the Russian – fresh, strong, with defined goals and a powerful leader, using its power any time its interests are endangered. Israel belongs to the weak, losing Western, side, which you cannot at all depend on supporting you in the hour of peril. Israel must prepare for the pressures that will come from the allies, because they are sniffing the aroma of “peace in our time” that the Syrian agreement has brought, and they might also try to impose agreements between Middle Eastern states to divest themselves of unconventional weapons on Israel as well.
Israel must set the record straight with the White House, with Congress and with its many friends mainly among the Jews and Christian Evangelists. Political correctness must not squelch Israel’s criticism of the measures taken by the United States in the region, and Israel must develop a network of connections – even if covertly – with the states of the Middle East who see eye to eye with it regarding the regional threats.
But first and foremost the leadership of Israel must speak with the people about the actual international situation in which Israel finds itself. It is the citizens of Israel who will pay the price of the decline in international standing of the coalition that we belong to, and therefore it is our right, as citizens, to hold our leaders to strategic accountability. I don’t mean to say that the leaders must share military or intelligence secrets with the public, Heaven forbid. This must remain the province of as few people as possible. I mean that for quite a long time we have not heard our prime minister give us an overview of Israel’s strategic situation because the challenges that we may be presented with in the future may be greater and more severe than any that Israel has faced in the 65 years of its existence.
A joyous holiday to all the children of Israel.
Translated from Hebrew by Sally Zahav with permission from the author.