Peloni
In an important interview with JNS, Dr. Martin Sherman, founder of the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies, a member of the Israel Defense & Security Forum research team, describes the strategic view of Israel’s war with Iran, the broader regional conflict, and internal tensions within Israeli society with the Israeli Deep State. Sherman explains that Israel reached the current situation as a result of years of restraint, a growing desperation within the political opposition, and underestimating threats which might be should have been resolved long ago. In doing so, Sherman describes the October 7 attacks as a turning point which has come to strengthened Israel’s resolve to shed the previously adopted restraint while acting in its own interests, particularly while it has the means to do so under the current administration in Washington.
Sherman explains that victory over Iran requires not just weakening it, but fully dismantling its nuclear and missile programs, toppling the regime, and supporting the fragmentation of Iran along ethnic lines so as to diminish any potential threat which might arise there in the future. Additionally, he reflects upon the reality that there is no viable long-term solution in Gaza without removing the population, while further noting that the initiatives supporting local autonomy or a two-state framework is entirely unworkable. Indeed, he argues that Israel must become sovereign within its borders and that its borders must reflect its strategic needs.
Sherman also addresses the growing crisis in internal Israeli politics, highlighting the growing state of insanity reflected among political rivals of Netanyahu whose political animus has come to fuel anti-Israel rhetoric while undermining Israel’s national interest. While having been openly critical of Netanyahu in the past, Sherman’s criticism was always based upon strategic arguments which placed the national interest above all else, something which is quite inverted by the current opposition which is frenetic in its pursuit of ousting Israel’s longest serving prime minister. When questioned on Netanyahu’s handling of the wars since October 7, Sherman grades the Prime Minister with an 8/10 if not higher, while also noting that the important role which Netanyahu has played while being granted the current freedom of action by the Trump administrations, something which he notes would have certainly been altogether different if either Trump or Netanyahu were not currently serving in their respective roles. He also addresses the importance of Israel taking advantage of this current situation, noting that the coming elections in Europe, America and Israel could easily reshape the potential for Israel to address the threats surrounding it as is taking place today.
Another insightful connection which Sherman addresses is the inexplicable lack of support or even sympathy for Israel in the wake of the massacre of October 7. Being a long time critic of the lack of funding which has been spent in support of Israel’s international messaging, Sherman acknowledges that messaging alone can not explain the global tide of animosity which rose against Israel following the October 7 Attack, and that an alarming level of antisemitism seems to have been situated just below the surface among those who have taken to protesting against the victims of such an obvious outrage. Despite this, he continues to argue that Israel should be spending at least 2% of its budget on public diplomacy. He notes that Israel has pursued a policy of reacting to events rather than enlightening the public and thereby shaping the context in which these events might be understood by the global public. Pursuing such a strategic change in policy is essential in supporting Israel’s military and political goals.
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