JERUSALEM — Israel has adopted a report that calls for revision of
strategic priorities.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has endorsed a report by a committee that
termed Iran's nuclear program and Islamic insurgency as the leading threats
to Israel. The panel, which met 50 times over 18 months, marked the first
time in nearly 60 years that the country sought to define strategic
priorities.
The panel, chaired by former Finance Minister Dan Meridor and appointed
by then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said the prospect of conventional war
against Israel has declined, Middle East Newsline reported. Instead, the main threats cited by the 250-page
report were those of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism.
"The conventional threat has weakened in the face of two other
threats — the super-conventional threat — what Iran is trying to do — and
the sub-conventional threats, terror and asymmetrical threats," Meridor said
on Monday.
Meridor told Israel Army Radio that the Defense Ministry and military
must increase funds and planning to confront the WMD and insurgency threats.
He said the report did not determine the strategic value of territory amid
the government's plan to unilaterally withdraw from 90 percent of the West
Bank.
"It is clear that territory has value, but it's not everything," Meridor
said. "There are places where you must concede on territory and when you
concede on territory you give up strategic importance and perhaps it's worth
it. The committee did not deal with this."
"For the first time since the nation's establishment, an official
document has been submitted to Israeli leaders that outline a comprehensive
as well as current and long-term security perception," Mofaz said.
Government sources said the report urged an increase in funding to
enhance Israel's air and ground firepower. The report also highlighted the
need to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicles and satellite
reconnaissance.
Iran was discussed in a chapter on the nuclear threat to Israel.
Israel's media quoted the report as saying that Iran's nuclear weapons
program could spark a nuclear race in the Middle East.
The classified report, which has not been released, urged Israel to
support stability of its Arab neighbors. The committee determined that
Jordan marked a strategic buffer zone against any eastern threat to Israel.
The panel also called for an update of strategic concepts every five
years as well as the drafting of a five-year defense budget. The report
proposed that the National Security Council be responsible for military
planning.
The report also sought to define such terms as "deterrence" and
"victory" in the area of asymmetrical warfare. Meridor said some insurgency
groups cannot be eliminated and recommended the use of defensive measures.
"The saying that 'We must beat them at any price' when you can't do it
results in hopelessness," Meridor said.
