Fundamental Delegitimization:
A Crisis in Israel's National Security Doctrine
London as a Case Study
Summary: Israel’s National Security
Stage 3: Denial
Stage 2: Incubation
Stage 1: Relevancy
Strategi
c
Surpris
e
Strategi
c
Surpris
e
Strategi
c
Surpris
e
Relevancy
Gap
Main Threat Physical
Military Arena Primary
IDF main actor
Summary of Last Session
IDF responsible for
protecting nation
Main Arena: Security
Deterrence, Early
Warning, Decisive Victory
Existential Threat
Military
Synchronized Victories:
Need strong foreign affairs
establishment
New non conventional tactics required.
Home Front + Diplomatic also essential
Resistance Network focuses on soft
underbelly – asymmetric warfare,
international arena and home front
Summary of Last Session
Attacks on Israel are
nothing new
Israel’s position vis-à-vis
Western Govts remains
stable
Main Problem:
Hasbara / Policy
New dynamic – new threat
(advancing 1SS)
Increasing threat from Liberal
Progressive Elite
Commitment to peace & HR vital – but always an
outstanding issue (Shebaa Farms Syndrome):
Hasbara important but delegitimization is ideology
driven
The Delegitimization Network
Delegitimization network driven
Flat independent
non-hierarchical
Toronto
Brussels
Common denominator:
consciousness
Protocols and Mechanisms
Diverse and resilient
Networks revolve around hubs
driven by catalysts
Madrid
London
‫לונדון‬
Bay Area
What makes London a hub?
Global influence
NGO ‘world capital’
Media concentration
Academic influence
Diplomatic weight
English language
Western-based Delegitimization Network
Liberal Elite
Enhancing trend
of 'Pragmatic' One-Staters
Red
Green
Ideological delegitimizers
How does such a peripheral movement
punch above its weight?
The key:
Blurring difference b\w deleg. & critics
Trade unions
Judicial
Academia, campus
Churches
Liberalising
the arguments
Essentialism
Demonization:
IL= apartheid
Coercion only way:
BDS
Lawfare
Branding Israel as
Pariah
The Threat: Build-up of the One-State Paradigm
The Hamas Network in London
European
Campaign to
end the DSiege
of Gaza
Palestinian
Return Centre
Interpal
British Muslim
Initiative
Global Peace
and Unity Event
Palestinian
Forum of Britain
Viva Palestina
The Hamas Network in London
Existing MB infrastructure
Judicial deterrence
Lambertism Doctrine
Receptive radical left
From Fundraising to Politics & Delegitimization
Key Principles: Definitions
Narrow Definition of
Delegitimization
Expand the definition of 'pro-Israel'
Negating the Jewish People’s
Right to Self Determination
Establish community code-of-conduct
Negating Israel’s Right to Exist
Criticism
Delegitimization
It Takes a Network to Fight a Network
Any organization can be a catalyst
Mobilize Israeli-Diaspora Community
Be part of a global network
Madrid
Shared values
allies
synagogues Paris
Brussels
Community
centres
Johannesburg
San Francisco
Individuals
Formal Jewish
institution
Toronto
All Instruments of the Orchestra
The Committed Right & The Critical Left
At Our Grassroots Level
Flat, loosely coordinated response
To say that the general must
await the commands of the
sovereign in such circumstances is
like informing a superior that you
wish to put out a fire. Before the
order to do so arrives, the ashes
are cold… (Sun Tzu)
Experimentation at Margins
Drive Wedge b/w Delegitimizers & Liberal Elite
Liberal Elite
Engage with LPE
Engage NGO and human rights org
Out, name and shame
Main Battleground:
LPE
Develop PR & Branding practices
Initiate alternative constructive
venues to “do something”
Red
Green
Wider Tents
Open-tent 1:
Maximally expand pro-Israel community – Lower threshhold
Open tent 2:
Flat, loosely coordinated response
Open tent 3:
From Right to Left: We need 'all instruments of the orchestra‘
Open tent 4:
Encourage experimentation taking place at the margins
Additional guidelines for operational strategy
Attempt to establish a code of conduct for the Community reg. Israel
Bring the network together
Prepare an annual calendar of delegitimization events
Establish taskforces and assign coordinators for each major arena
Focus on comprising Hamas’ presence in London
Reut’s Role
• Bring Global Context to Local Experience
• Create New Knowledge From
On-the-Ground Experiences
• Partner With Institutions to Help Redesign
Mission, Strategy, and Operational Principles
• Connect the Key Stakeholders: the Government of
Israel, the Jewish Communities, and the Activists