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Efraim Inbar

The IDF, Israeli deterrence, Israeli society and the stability of Israel’s newest peace agreements with Arab countries — all are impacted negatively by continuing electoral indecision.
After four years, the U.S. president’s popularity in Israel has peaked. As far as most Israelis are concerned, no other American administration can claim to have been more supportive of Israel.
It’s possible that the Oslo experiment had to be tried to bring Israeli society to the majority opinion that exists today—that there is no Palestinian partner for peace.
In a region where unexpected is to be expected, great caution is needed regarding the IDF’s personnel policies.
The Jordan Valley is Israel’s only defensible eastern border and Israeli sovereignty there is vital for the demilitarization of a future Palestinian state.
The Jordan Valley settlements were established by the Labor movement, and the late Yitzhak Rabin believed in them. Nearly all Israelis want the valley to remain part of the state, and we must not let this opportunity slip by.
Israel and Jordan share common interests; it is actually convenient for Amman to have Israel retain security control over the Jordan Valley.
Israel must adapt as quickly as possible to the evolving situation in northern Syria, while continuing to adhere to self-reliance and invest in its military.
The arguments against a ground operation against Hamas are understandable, but Israel’s current approach is not getting the job done.
The need to assign American soldiers to fight with Israel might undermine Israel’s popularity in the United States and constrain Israel’s freedom of action.
The Golan Heights is Israel’s northern shield, especially since Iranian forces have moved into Syria.
Israel needs a stronger and larger navy given the enormous missile threat the country faces. Israel’s airports, and land and strategic properties, are more vulnerable now than ever before.