Israel Assesses Northern Front Resilience Amid Ongoing Security Challenges
Although the northern front has receded from headlines, the security challenges it poses to Israel remain significant. The focus now is on ensuring residents' safety, rehabilitating border communities, and learning from the recent conflict. These topics will be central to the panel discussion "Did We Pass the National Resilience Test on the Northern Front?" at the upcoming National Security Conference organized by Yedioth Ahronoth in collaboration with the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS).
Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and chairman of the Frontline Forum, emphasized that since the 1930s, Israeli state builders recognized that strong settlement is key to security and requires adequate resources and conditions. Dr. Idit Shapira-Gitelman, a senior INSS researcher, noted that Operation Guardian of the Walls revealed a gap between the military's declared victory and the reality that still leaves residents insecure. The state still faces the challenge of safely returning residents to their homes.
Lee-At Cohen, deputy director of planning and strategy at the Northern Momentum Administration, highlighted the post-conflict challenge of creating a stronger, more attractive northern reality where security, growth, and community coexist to build national resilience. The conference will also unveil the INSS's new "Israel Threat Index," a study mapping public perceptions and expert assessments of Israel's main security and national challenges.
The event on July 27 will feature prominent figures including Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, former Chief of Staff and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and other senior military and political leaders. The conference will be moderated by Sharon Kaydon and broadcast live on Ynet and covered extensively by Yedioth Ahronoth.
