Meir Ben Shabbat Archives - JNS.org

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Meir Ben Shabbat

Meir Ben Shabbat is head of the Misgav Institute for Zionist Strategy & National Security, in Jerusalem. He served as Israel’s national security advisor and head of the National Security Council between 2017 and 2021. Prior to that, for 25 years he held senior positions in the Israel Security Agency (Shabak).

Palestinians riot at the Israeli border fence, east of Gaza City on Aug. 21, 2023. Photo by Atia Mohammed/Flash90.

Israel must make it clear: The era of surgical strikes is over

The IDF should immediately create a 300-meter security zone on the Gazan side of the border and declare that any Palestinian entering places his life at risk.

Meir Ben Shabbat

October 9, 2023

Mossad Director David Barnea speaks at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism's World Summit on Counter-Terrorism at Herzliya's Reichman University, Sept. 10, 2023. Photo by Yossi Zeliger/TPS.

Neutralizing Iran comes before normalization with Riyadh

The Mossad chief's recent threats against Iran were actually intended to clarify to the Biden administration precisely where Jerusalem's priorities currently lie.

Meir Ben Shabbat

September 21, 2023

Members of Israel's Arab community protest against the violence in their community, at Habima Square in Tel Aviv on Aug. 6, 2023. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90.

Five steps the government must take to combat Arab violence

The gang wars in Arab towns should have the state authorities rethink their approach, as well as take immediate steps to restore trust and personal safety.

Meir Ben Shabbat

August 27, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden at a NATO summit in Brussels on March 24, 2022. Photo by Gints Ivuskans/Shutterstock.

Biden buys calm from Iran

New "understandings" between Washington and Tehran could cement Iran's status as a nuclear threshold state.

Meir Ben Shabbat

August 16, 2023

From left, Lebanese, Hezbollah and PLO flags on the border with Israel, July 3, 2022. Photo by Ayal Margolin/Flash90.

To avoid war, Israel must act

The way Israel has so far responded to Hezbollah's provocations has only encouraged it to continue and even ratchet up a notch.

Meir Ben Shabbat

August 1, 2023

Tisha B'Av at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City. Credit: Akiva Van Koningsveld.

The lessons of destruction resonate louder than ever

The order of the day: Don't be right, be responsible. This obligation should apply to the leaders and the public across all the rival camps.

Meir Ben Shabbat

July 24, 2023

IDF bulldozers enter Jenin as Israel begins a major aerial and ground offensive in the city, July 3, 2023. Photo by Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90.

Jenin operation was essential but did not produce strategic change

Will the P.A. act to preserve the IDF's achievements in the terror hotbed? The simple answer is: "Highly unlikely."

Meir Ben Shabbat

July 6, 2023

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the G20 meeting in Buenos Aires. Nov. 20, 2018. Photo by Matias Lynch/Shutterstock.

Yes to normalization with Riyadh, but not at all costs

Adding Saudi Arabia to the Abraham Accords will be a boon for all—and would help keep it away from Iran and China. But it won't be worth it if the Israeli concessions are too great.

Meir Ben Shabbat

July 3, 2023

Hamas terrorists attend a rally in Beit Lahiya in the Gaza Strip, May 30, 2021. Photo by Atia Mohammed/Flash90.

Winning in Gaza means having a strategy for the lulls between hostilities

We must set a clear goal for our security forces: to stop and disrupt the terrorists’ buildup, making it a major objective for the “campaign between the wars.”

Meir Ben Shabbat

May 15, 2023