Saturday Jul 19, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News Defense & Security

Exclusive: Intelligence Directorate sounds alarm over eroding Israeli deterrence

The memo, shared with Netanyahu, the defense minister and other high-ranking officials, warns that Israel's dangerous downward strategic posture can be attributed to several factors, with the main one being the weakness Israel's enemies have sensed due to the internal chasm over the judicial reform.

by  Yoav Limor
Published on  04-04-2023 07:45
Last modified: 04-04-2023 10:15
Exclusive: Intelligence Directorate sounds alarm over eroding Israeli deterrenceJINI/Ayal Margolin

IDF troops conduct training on the Golan Heights, April 2023 | Photo: JINI/Ayal Margolin

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Israel has seen its overall strategic situation worsen over the past several months, the IDF Intelligence Directorate's Research Division warned in a recent memo sent to the top brass and the key decision-makers in the defense and political echelons, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi. 

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

This assessment may have been what prompted Gallant to issue the strong warning just several days ago, which resulted in his firing (Netanyahu has since put his termination on hold). The memo states that Israel's dangerous strategic posture can be attributed to several factors, with the main one being the weakness Israel's enemies have sensed due to the internal chasm over the judicial reform legislation. This view of Israel is shared by all members of the anti-Israeli axis led by Iran, and it has been clearly manifested in the series of meetings held by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials aimed at coordinating their positions

Senior Iranian officials have held similar talks and it is likely that Iran has been pressuring the various members of the anti-Israeli axis to perpetrate attacks. This overall calculus is probably what led to the attempted cross-border attack from Lebanon several weeks ago, whose perpetrator was likely inspired by Hezbollah, as well as the increased effort to execute plots from Judea and Samaria – a theater considered by all the members of the axis as the archimedean point that could set the region ablaze.

Another reason for the perceived Israeli weakness is the daylight between Israel and the US. Iran is the main beneficiary of such a development because it believes that Israel will not be able to carry out an offensive against it or strike its nuclear program with US support. The Palestinian Authority has also been encouraged by the US-Israel friction and it hopes to seize on it, particularly in international forums – from UN committees to The Hague. Meanwhile, Israel's friends have expressed concern over the relations between Jerusalem and Washington. these countries mainly include Persian Gulf states but also Egypt, Jordan, and other regional players. 

If in the past they moved closer to Israel because of its strong bond with the US and their realization that a deal with the Jewish state would also bring the US on board. The current rift between the two nations has pushed those same friends toward Iran. This has been evident in the restoration of full diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh (as well as Bahrain), but also in the warm welcome given to Iran's foreign minister when arrived in Cairo. 

The immediate implication of the new situation is the erosion of Israeli deterrence, which would later also adversely affect the country's overall security and diplomatic strength both in regional terms and globally, the memo states. The fear is that Israel's strategic decline will be exacerbated as the ongoing upheaval intensifies at home and the processes threatening Israel from the outside accelerate. 

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

Tags: HamasIranIsraelJudicial reforms

Related Posts

How Hamas nearly breached Israel's Unit 8200 with cleaning crewKOKO ; EPA/MOHAMMED SABER

How Hamas nearly breached Israel's Unit 8200 with cleaning crew

by Amir Ettinger

The IDF team for documentation and exploitation of enemy materiel captured documents showing the terror organization's plan to exploit civilian...

Romania picks Israeli Rafael for air defense dealRafael Advanced Defense Systems

Romania picks Israeli Rafael for air defense deal

by Neta Bar

Rafael wins parliamentary-approved tender for short-range missile systems one month after Bucharest's Iron Dome acquisition decision.

Military experts in awe of Israel's Rising LionIDF Spokesperson's Unit

Military experts in awe of Israel's Rising Lion

by Hanan Greenwood

Analysts publishing assessments of developments in Tehran and Isfahan are offering effusive praise for the sophisticated execution of this formidable...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il