The revolving door through which four defense ministers have changed over the course of six and a half years does not allow Israel to properly shape its strategic defense and security concepts. Such a frequent change in ministers naturally lends great importance to the military echelon, which is in charge of the tactical concept, and demands that the military's numerous needs be met.
These needs, of course, are always vital and require urgent budgetary responses. But short terms in office impede prompting any real reform regarding defense spending. A four-year term is an optimal period during which a new minister can get to know the defense establishment more closely and propose changes.
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Unfortunately, it seems that the most important post in the government – second only to that of the prime minister himself – has become a pawn in a political game; a job handed out to serve political interests. Having the prime minister also act as the defense minister also does a disservice to the post, as the security reality Israel faces is far too complex for one individual to carry both loads.
Naftali Bennett, who Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named as defense minister over the weekend, is likely to hold office for a very short period of time. Therefore, it would come as no surprise to anyone if his main objective would be to secure the additional resources the General Staff says are imperative if Israel is to properly ward off the threats it faces.
Still, there may also be an advantage to Bennett's appointment as defense minister, as perhaps no other government post illustrates the fact that one's worldviews change, sometimes greatly, depending on where they stand.
Exposure to classified information to which most cabinet members are not privy has often made hawking lawmakers such as Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman or Bennett understand that statement that can be made in laidback public forums or politician-friendly TV interview may prove unpractical and even dangerous when confronted with hard-hitting reality.
Only those who are privy to the inner working of the defense establishment and its efforts to maintain Israel's security can gain a perspective that must balance Israel's mighty capabilities with their potentially problematic repercussions.
More often than not, this responsibility comes with the realization that statements like "the other side only understands force" or "there is no point in trying to talk" are childish and not conducive to coexistence.
I admit that I'm no fan of Naftali Bennett, and I would have preferred a different defense minister. I also believe that his appointment is a step by Netanyahu to galvanize the bloc of 55 lawmakers Likud formed with the ultra-Orthodox and the national-religious factions – who have vowed to only enter a Netanyahu-led government.
This appointment, however, may provide important lessons for Bennett, a right-wing politician, who has hitherto believed that the complex situations we face have straightforward answers.
