Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi provided a clear and firm assessment of Israel’s security issues and his outlook during a discussion with Walla News diplomatic correspondent Idan Kweller at the Jerusalem Post Miami Conference. Avivi, who leads and founded the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF-Habithonistim), stated that he and his colleagues did not find the current war unexpected.
“Two years before the conflict, we anticipated a world war," he explained. “Some generals approached me saying, ‘Amir, something significant is happening.’ After a three-hour conversation, it was clear – we were headed to war.” He remembered warning officials that Israel had a difficult choice.
“We told the government, Netanyahu, and the National Security Council: it’s either a Six-Day War model where we strike first, or a Yom Kippur model where we are caught off guard. Sadly, that’s exactly what occurred."
Avivi emphasized that the war Israel is fighting extends beyond Gaza, identifying Iran and its proxies, internal security threats, and a global surge in antisemitism as the major battles ahead. “We see antisemitism growing exponentially. It’s not going to stop,” he warned. “Israel needs to start focusing on how to defend Jews around the world and prepare for massive aliyah.”
Despite the grim forecast, Avivi projected unwavering confidence in Israel’s victory. “We are going to win the war decisively on all fronts,” he said. “The IDF will renew its attack in Gaza, and Hamas will be destroyed completely. There will be no Hamas.” Looking beyond Gaza, Avivi predicted seismic regional change. “This regime is going down,” he said, describing what he expects to be an American-led attack with Israeli assistance.
“This is going to change entirely the future of Israel.” Asked about the long-term outlook, Avivi divided the coming years into two phases. “The first half of 2026 will be renewed war on all fronts,” he said. “The second half. This is where we’ll see peace agreements, the Abraham Accords expanding, the economy booming. This will be the beginning of our golden age.”
Ultimately, Avivi argued that unity is the decisive factor. “Jews need to remember how great they are,” he concluded. “They are the heroes of the story, not the villains, and the vision is coming to Israel and redeeming the Jewish people and the world.”
Written in collaboration with IDSF.