Former IDF Colonel Highlights Israel’s Security Gains and Leadership Test Ahead of Elections
Retired Colonel and Yeshivat Hesder head Meir Harel reviews Israel’s security situation on the eve of Simchat Torah, emphasizing the dramatic changes and achievements of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since the outbreak of the recent war. Approaching three years since the conflict began, and with elections imminent, Harel stresses the importance of electing a decisive leadership capable of completing the mission and preserving the war’s unprecedented gains.
Harel describes the war’s initial phase as a major national failure, calling for further investigation into how Israel reached that point. However, he notes a significant turnaround during the conflict, with ongoing fronts but remarkable military successes that some political interests attempt to downplay, which he warns only strengthens Israel’s enemies. He compares the current moment to a "completion of a tractate" in Torah study, a milestone worthy of celebration despite the overall mission not yet being finished.
Before the war, Israel faced a multi-front threat from the Iranian-led axis, including Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, the West Bank, Iraq, and Yemen, with hundreds of thousands of missiles and tens of thousands of trained fighters ready to attack. Iran’s advancing nuclear program compounded the danger. Israel’s strategic hesitation and lack of preparedness contributed to the initial setbacks, while enemy forces misjudged Israel’s military and societal resilience.
Since then, the IDF has shifted from a primarily deterrence-based posture to an unprecedented proactive and offensive campaign across air, sea, and land, supported by intelligence, cyber, and advanced technology. Operations have included targeted strikes deep inside enemy territories, disruption of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and the destruction of strategic infrastructure. Notably, all hostages from Gaza, including those from Operation Protective Edge, have been recovered.
The war also reinforced Israel’s control over key buffer zones and strengthened settlements and defenses in the West Bank. Israel’s defense industries have gained international demand due to battlefield-proven technologies, promising significant economic benefits and expanded security cooperation.
Harel concludes by invoking Torah teachings on warfare and land inheritance, underscoring the necessity of holding onto territorial gains to ensure long-term security and stability. He warns that the upcoming elections will test whether the new leadership will be resolute and capable of resisting internal and external pressures to relinquish these achievements, and whether it can build Israel’s future based on the war’s successes.
