Israeli Lawmaker Warns of Insufficient Plans to Defeat Enemies

Member of Knesset Amit Halevi, a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, has expressed concern that Israel lacks a comprehensive plan to decisively defeat its enemies, particularly in Judea and Samaria. In an interview with Arutz 7, Halevi argued that security officials are mistaken if they focus solely on individual attacks, such as rocket fire or terrorist acts, rather than addressing the underlying infrastructure that breeds terrorism. He emphasized that this infrastructure is ideological, social, educational, organizational, and economic, in addition to being military.

Halevi stated that Israel's doubled defense budget is being invested in "end products" rather than the foundational elements that foster terrorists. He believes that without dismantling these ideological and political infrastructures, Israel will remain trapped in a cycle of recurring conflicts, likening it to "mowing the grass" which only allows it to grow back stronger. He advocated for uprooting the problem by targeting not just the perpetrators but also those who propagate terror, such as imams, school principals who promote violence in curricula, and leaders of extremist youth movements, as well as the economic networks supporting them.

He extended this analysis to Gaza and the West Bank, including cities like Ramallah and Jenin, and even to Tehran. Halevi also criticized the Palestinian Authority (PA), calling it a corrupt entity that has built a political and military infrastructure of tens of thousands of trained fighters since the Oslo Accords. He asserted that the PA must be neutralized and that Israel should re-implement a "village plan" approach, working with individual clans and areas while maintaining full Israeli control over the entire region.

Regarding military operations, Halevi called for principles of conquest, control, and decisive victory, suggesting a measured approach to re-establish Israeli control by dividing Judea and Samaria and Gaza into distinct sectors. He noted the Defense Minister's announcement of a plan to take over Judea and Samaria and dismantle the PA, but stated he had not seen this plan. Halevi reiterated his demand for the IDF General Staff to present a clear plan for decisive victory, not just for tactical operations, to the cabinet, emphasizing that the military must be prepared for decisive defeat of the enemy, not just raids or operational control.