Netanyahu Outlines Security Doctrine, Vows to Topple Iran's Regime

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented his security doctrine for the next government, addressing key threats to Israel and outlining principles learned from the October 7th attacks. He identified major threats as the Iranian-led Shiite axis, converging fronts, internal security and terror, and international delegitimization. Netanyahu also listed significant armament threats including nuclear weapons, drones, precision missiles, cyber warfare, AI, quantum technology, and rapidly evolving weaponry.

Netanyahu's proposed principles emphasize maintaining Israel's military superiority, proactively preventing enemy attacks and force build-up, and avoiding reliance on shifting intentions of allies or adversaries. Key tenets include preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, maintaining deterrence through credible offensive capabilities, ensuring continuous intelligence on enemy intentions to prevent surprise, fostering initiative and critical thinking within security forces, and readiness for preemptive strikes. The doctrine also calls for border defense, rear-area protection, and constant war readiness, alongside cultivating regional and international alliances and enhancing technological independence through local research, development, and production, with a significant increase in the defense budget.

Furthermore, the doctrine stresses the importance of combating the ideological battle against Iran and other hostile nations, as well as fighting anti-Zionism and antisemitism internationally. The ultimate goal is to break the enemy's power and belief in its ability to threaten Israel. Netanyahu also emphasized national unity, the principle of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, democratic governance, and the importance of fighting for national security and settling the land.

Looking ahead to a potential future government, Netanyahu stated his intention to form a broad national government based on core principles: no Palestinian state, Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, an offensive and proactive policy, and a free and flourishing economy. He warned against a center-left government, criticizing its perceived willingness to contain a nuclear Iran and its adherence to outdated diplomatic concepts. Netanyahu also asserted that all of Israel's enemies desire his electoral defeat, believing his policies ensure the country's future, and noted that many regional states also hope for an Israeli victory.

Addressing domestic issues, Netanyahu dismissed the idea of a government without Minister Ben-Gvir as a spin, expressing a desire to keep the Defense and National Security ministries within the Likud party. He differentiated his coalition partners from potential figures like Ofer Winter, suggesting that considering Winter implied considering figures like Gadi Eisenkot, who would require Arab party support for a government. Netanyahu also downplayed the severity of extreme violence in Judea and Samaria, framing it as a propaganda attack, while vowing to eradicate such phenomena. Regarding Gaza, he reiterated that reconstruction would not occur before Hamas is dismantled and the territory is demilitarized, emphasizing Israel's continued presence and the elimination of Hamas and Hezbollah as priorities, with the ultimate goal of toppling the Iranian regime.

Finally, Netanyahu discussed the issue of Haredi enlistment, advocating for a significant increase in conscription and proposing a law to draft 23,000 Haredi men over three and a half years, with sanctions for non-compliance, while respecting Torah scholars. He also noted recent clashes of interest with Russia, including Moscow's alleged assistance to Iran and the operation of antisemitic bot networks against Israel.