Israel’s Next-Generation Vision for the Future
These are historic times for the State and people of Israel; in a short period of two years we have seemingly succeeded in dismantling the Iranian ring of fire originating in Tehran yet taking a painful foothold in Gaza exploding on October 7th. Israeli society has overwhelmingly demanded, and shown resolve to sacrifice accordingly, to achieve “victory”; and so a vibrant debate has ensued, what does such ambitious goal entail?
As the Chairman of Israel’s largest Youth Movement and founding member of Israel’s IDF Reservist Coalition, these historic times have paved the way not only for recalibrating the balance of power in the Middle East but perhaps more importantly the redefining of Israel’s social contract. A generation of young Israelis disproportionately carrying the burden of War in Gaza and other fronts now demand “victory” incorporate the internal societal change we envision passing on the generations after us:
- A Culture of Accountability
Rigorous, perhaps even bitter, societal debate will always remain an unavoidable reality of a nation aspiring to be Jewish & democratic and unwavering in its desire to be both simultaneously. Leadership will undoubtedly be required to continue making difficult decisions to be scrutinized by a zealous free press and a public eager to voice its dissent. What can no longer be tolerated is the culture of lack of accountability; both our leaders have conveniently promoted, and the public has complacently accepted. Corruption must be ruthlessly punished at the voting booths; and the imperative of independent investigative mechanisms like National inquiries restored to the heart of national consensus.
- Unity is not merely a societal aspiration – but a strategic necessity.
Israel will never be, nor should it aspire to be, a nation of uniformity. Unity on the other hand, or lack thereof, has twice historically led to the fall of Jewish self-determination in the land of Israel and on October 7th for the third time was central in our enemies’ calculus of launching the most murderous attack on Jews since the Holocaust. The time has come not only to examine enshrining national unity legally, but more importantly be prioritized in our electoral decisions understanding our national security is anchored in it.
- Israel’s security is Israel’s burden alone; yet it is also of all Israeli’s.
Standing tall not only as the home of the Jewish people but as an outpost of Western civilization in the Middle East, the last two years have proven Israel doesn’t stand alone in defending itself. Yet depending on such support would be a dangerous dose of complacency. Conversely, these two years have also proven that Israel must determinedly enlist all capable Israelis to serve (militarily or socially), and accepting the status quo of Haredi and Arab exemption would be a dangerous dose of moral concession and shortage of necessary manpower.
A shared destiny inextricably means a shared debt to the mission of safeguarding our collective future in a state we seek to shape in our image.
- Consensual Reform – not a concerted erosion of trust in Institutions.
Where Israel’s constitutional structure has failed to establish robust checks and balances between the branches of government, particularly today in an era of social media radically susceptible to populist politics, change must remain steady and dialogue with a wide array of the ideological spectrum of Israeli society. There is no ‘victory’ in a war among brothers – only losers, and our Institutions are the first ones to suffer.
- Empowered Civil Society is the best insurance for the State’s Failures.
Israeli history has repeatedly shown how in times of crisis – where the State fails, individual heroism and civil society’s agility prove reliable short-term solutions. It is time the State recognized the fact, embraced the idea as policy and institutionalized the relationship through recalibrated funding, training and protocols. The lesson of October 7th must not remain in the history books – but serve as a stark alarm to Israeli bureaucracy on its limits that must be converted to actionable policy.
- A New Generation – A new division of responsibility.
While the preconceptions held by the decision-makers of our top political and military echelons enabled the political deadlock and fundamental strategic mistakes leading to October 7th , the younger generations were left with the responsibility and sacrifice necessary to overcome those challenges.
We were overlooked and dismissed yet ultimately hailed as the “generation of victors”. The solidarity and unity felt on the battlefield, must now be translated to national reinvigoration. Our time is now – and we intend on building a better Israel for the generation after us, despite the one inherited by the previous one.
