In our case, despite dealing with billions, the small details were found on the sidelines of the prime minister’s words: Prime Minister Netanyahu committed to “massive allocations” to the security industries to reduce Israeli dependence on foreign powers.
At first glance, these words seem like a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want to reduce Israel’s dependence on foreign countries, especially one on which we rely whenever we need to replenish our emergency stockpiles urgently?
The problem starts when you roll this sentence in your mind repeatedly – and it sounds familiar – a bit like watching a movie and trying to remember where you’ve seen the leading actor before until it hits you: oh, it’s the one who also played in…
Well, Netanyahu is the man who also played in the previous seasons of “Reducing Dependence on Foreign Powers,” a series that is broadcast again and again in the worn-out brain of the prime minister without reaching a good ending or at least understanding, as often happens in series that have already exhausted themselves.
We’ve already had “Netanyahu Cutting with American Assistance” – an excellent episode that resonated with applause in Congress. Since then, as you know, Israel (even after making a small gesture by cutting some aid) no longer needs security assistance from the Americans.
If you enjoyed that episode of cutting aid, you indeed came back for more of Netanyahu’s masterful season of “Reducing Dependence on Oil,” another series that sounds impressive with a lot of buzz and vision on paper but ends its course (sometimes after establishing a committee to “examine the issue and formulate recommendations”) sooner than other excellent proposals of this visionary, like the “freezing of mortgages” before the elections.
Putin’s excellent campaign
Joke aside, security independence is essential, but only if one understands that it is derived from economic independence. One can assume that Netanyahu knows this. The only reason a country like the United States provides security assistance to many countries worldwide, from Ukraine to Israel (if we bring two relevant examples), is that it has a strong economy that allows it to have the strongest military in the world and the most advanced arms industry.
However, even security independence, vital as it may be, cannot stand alone as a condition for survival but only as part of a comprehensive national response. In other words, Israel needs from the Americans not only ammunition, Patriot missiles, or smart bombs but, no less importantly (and perhaps even more), backing from the international community. Imagine, for example, that the International Court of Justice in The Hague issues a (maybe even another) interim order to cease hostilities in Gaza, and the matter immediately goes to the UN Security Council without an American veto.The provided text discusses the Israeli government’s promise of significant investments in the security industries, emphasizing concerns that Netanyahu’s administration threatens the security industries. The author questions the necessity of massive investments, highlighting that the security industry is thriving and does not necessarily require additional funding but technological innovation. The text also critiques Netanyahu’s past promises and initiatives, expressing skepticism about their effectiveness.
The author suggests that Netanyahu’s focus on reducing dependence on foreign powers might be misdirected, as the security industry is currently experiencing growth, and the real challenge lies in technological advancements rather than financial investments. The text mentions the author’s doubt regarding Netanyahu’s credibility and draws parallels to investigative techniques, emphasizing the importance of focusing on significant details rather than grand promises.
The author discusses the potential negative impact on the Israeli economy due to restrictions on financial flow, trade limitations, and other consequences resulting from a focus on military efforts. The text then argues that even if one assumes a focus solely on security, the local industry may not necessarily need massive investments, as it is already thriving. The author points out that the security industry in Israel has experienced significant growth in recent years, with contracts worth millions and even billions being signed regularly.
The text further highlights the need for skilled human resources in the security industry and criticizes the government’s failure to invest in education and create a skilled workforce. It also touches upon the role of the ultra-Orthodox community in the budget and criticizes the government’s inability to allocate funds for essential purposes due to political reasons.
Overall, the text conveys skepticism about the government’s priorities and suggests that investments in education and human resources might be more beneficial for the country’s long-term success.