Netanyahu: new 10-point security doctrine “from defence to offence” – “If we have to act alone, we will act alone”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, October 18 presented a new ten-point national security doctrine, which he said was drawn up with the National Security Council and its head, Shmuel Ben Ezra. According to Israel National News, Netanyahu began by saying that “the attack of October 7, 2023 forced Israel to wage a harsh war”, “from Gaza to Yemen, from Lebanon to Iran”.

The doctrine describes a shift from defence to offence and is presented while Washington is discussing with Tehran the terms for ending the war, with the American vice president demanding a “final commitment” on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Prevention, deterrence, initiative

The first point is preventing adversaries from acquiring nuclear weapons, including by pre-emptive military action. “If we have to act alone, we will act alone,” Netanyahu said.

Next come deterrence through a “crushing blow” to enemies, with large-scale precision strikes and disruption of military and political systems; continuous intelligence gathering so that a surprise is not repeated; and initiative, with emphasis on deception, critical thinking and preparation for pre-emptive strikes.

Defence, alliances, independence

On defence, the doctrine provides for security zones where necessary, multi-layered air defence and permanent readiness with offensive capabilities. Netanyahu said that in Judea and Samaria “we moved to an offensive approach and entered the refugee camps”.

The sixth point concerns alliances: “Israel is now a regional power and in certain fields even a global power.” The seventh calls for military and technological independence, with more domestic arms production, less dependence on abroad, higher defence spending and investment in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space and cybersecurity, where Israel wants to be “one of the top three countries in the world”.

The last three points cover the use of artificial intelligence against hostile propaganda and antisemitism; the definition of victory as destroying the adversary’s military capabilities and its belief that it can keep threatening Israel; and “national spirit”. The threats the text lists include Iran and its allies, the “Egyptian trap”, terrorism, precision missiles, drones and the military use of artificial intelligence.

The opposition called the doctrine “empty slogans” shortly before the October 27 election, on the same day Netanyahu said he is trying to avoid a direct clash with Turkey.