The right to security is fundamental to the existence of any sovereign nation. Israel came into existence in 1948 and has faced this question more intensely than most countries in the modern world. For more than seventy years, Israel has endured a constant struggle for its survival in a volatile region, surrounded by hostility and grappling with persistent conflict. As the international community looks on, the question remains: does Israel, like any other country, deserve peace and security? The answer, of course, is yes. But the road to ensuring Israel’s security is complex, requiring not only military vigilance but also diplomatic engagement and an honest commitment to peace from all parties involved.
The roots of Israel’s security issues trace back to the early 20th century, well before its formal establishment in 1948. The Jewish people’s search for shelter and autonomy after centuries of oppression resulted in the Zionist movement, which aimed to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. In the Balfour Declaration of 1917, Britain acknowledged these aspirations. The escalation of tensions between Jewish and Arab people resulted in clashes that would determine the future of Israel.
An immediate conflict arose due to the United Nations partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states in 1947. Arab countries rejected the plan. The coalition of Arab states invaded Israel after Israel declared independence in 1948. Israel began its long journey of defending its borders against hostile neighbours with the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the War of Independence.
Israel’s early history is marked by numerous wars aimed at ensuring its survival, most notably the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel seized crucial territories such as the West Bank, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem after facing the prospect of annihilation, conducting preemptive strikes against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. While Israel’s military success solidified its existence, it also deepened the regional animosity that continues to this day.
Israel defended its territory against another attack by an Arab coalition during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. These wars, combined with continuous terrorist activities by groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, have shaped Israel’s security strategies, which prioritise both military readiness and intelligence to prevent future threats.
Today, Israel continues to face both old and new challenges to its security. One of the most pressing threats is posed by Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite militia operating out of Lebanon. Hezbollah has amassed a significant stockpile of rockets and missiles aimed at Israel, presenting a constant danger to Israeli cities and civilians. The Israeli-Lebanese border remains tense, with periodic skirmishes and the risk of a broader conflict ever-present. Hamas, the militant Islamist group that controls Gaza, poses another significant challenge. Since taking over Gaza in 2007, Hamas has waged an intermittent war of rocket attacks and incursions against Israel. The most recent flare-up occurred in May 2021, when Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israeli territory, prompting an Israeli military response. The conflict, though brief, highlighted the fragile nature of the ceasefires that govern the Gaza-Israel relationship. The Iron Dome missile defence system in Israel was extremely effective in protecting civilian populations. The conflict has not been resolved due to the underlying causes, territorial disputes, Jerusalem’s status, and the Palestinian question.
In terms of diplomacy, Israel has made significant advancements in recent years, most notably the Abraham Accords that were signed in 2020. The agreements facilitated the normalisation of relations between Israel and several Arab states, including Sudan, Bahrain, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates. Arab states realised that cooperation with Israel could yield economic and technological benefits, while also reducing Iran’s regional influence during the historic shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics, which was marked by the Abraham Accords. These agreements have, to some extent, reduced the existential threats Israel faces from its Arab neighbours, demonstrating that peace and security are achievable when dialogue and mutual recognition replace hostility.
However, while Israel has made peace with several Arab nations, tensions with Iran have escalated. Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain a primary concern for Israeli security. Israel’s belief that Iran’s nuclear program is an existential threat hasn’t changed despite the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Israeli leaders, both past and present, have stated in their statements that they will not permit Iran to produce nuclear weapons. This stance has led to covert actions, including alleged sabotage of Iranian nuclear facilities and targeted assassinations of key Iranian scientists.
Another major development has been the growing focus on cyber warfare. Israel has been at the forefront of cyber defence and offence, using these capabilities to defend itself against both state and non-state actors. This includes cyberattacks targeting Iran’s nuclear program and Hezbollah’s infrastructure, as well as defence mechanisms to protect Israel’s critical systems from similar attacks. As modern warfare evolves, cyber defence is becoming as crucial as physical defence for Israel’s security.
Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians remains one of the most intractable issues hindering its long-term security. While Israel has made strides in securing peace with Arab states, the Palestinian issue persists as a core problem. The 1993 Oslo Accords initially raised hopes of a two-state solution, which would grant Palestinians their own state while ensuring Israel’s security within recognised borders. The assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 and ongoing violence on both sides have ruined any chance for a permanent settlement.
At present, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is still frozen, and there is no immediate solution. Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the status of East Jerusalem, and the blockade of Gaza are all key issues that fuel the conflict. Despite this, Israel has remained committed to putting security first. The rise of radical Islamist movements within the Palestinian territories, coupled with the influence of Iran, has made it increasingly difficult to negotiate with Palestinian factions like Hamas, which refuse to recognise Israel’s right to exist.
The growing international movement that calls for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel is complicating Israeli security. The BDS movement is trying to pressure Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories, but it has been accused of being one-sided and potentially undermining Israel’s legitimate security concerns. Instead of fostering dialogue, BDS threatens to further polarise an already divided situation.
Israel’s security is a complex issue, shaped by its unique historical circumstances, geographical vulnerabilities, and the evolving nature of warfare. From the early days of its existence, Israel has had to defend itself against overwhelming odds. The wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973 were not simply conflicts over territory; they were battles for survival. Today, the threats Israel faces have changed in form but remain significant. Whether it is rockets from Gaza, Hezbollah’s missile arsenal, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, or cyberattacks, Israel’s security concerns are valid and must be addressed.
The international community must recognise Israel’s right to defend itself. Criticism of Israel’s military actions, while sometimes justified, should always consider the broader context of survival and self-defence in a region that is far from peaceful. Likewise, Israel must continue to pursue diplomacy, dialogue, and economic cooperation as tools for lasting peace. The Abraham Accords are a testament to what can be achieved when nations choose peace over conflict.
In the end, the security of Israel is not just about protecting borders—it is about ensuring a future where all the people of the region, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, can live in peace and dignity. True security for Israel will come not only through military might but through a sustainable peace process that respects the rights of all involved, including the Palestinians. Until that day arrives, Israel’s right to defend itself must remain sacrosanct.
