Israel stands today at a precipice – not merely of a political cycle – but of a historic transformation in the Middle East. We are witnessing the most dramatic reconfiguration of the region since the carving up of the Middle East by the British and French over a century ago.
Yet, as we approach the 2026 elections, the primary threat to our future is not found across the border in Tehran, but in often uncomfortable, heated debates across our own dinner tables.
As we enter this election period, the candidates for prime minister and the Knesset must be put on notice: their conduct and their rhetoric are being watched – not just by an exhausted electorate, but by history itself.
We must force a shift from personal character attacks to meaningful, logical solutions. In this unusual and highly charged environment, we must demand ground rules that prioritize the greater good of social cohesion over the cheap thrills of political tribalism.
The paradox of the Israeli miracle
To understand the stakes, one must first acknowledge the “Israeli Paradox.” By almost every objective measure, we are experiencing miracles that are largely being ignored by our own population and a cynical world.
Despite being a fraction of the size of its neighbors who have repeatedly sought its destruction, Israel has emerged as the undisputed superpower of the Middle East.
Our economy, even when burdened by war and massive defense spending, remains one of the most resilient on the planet; one need only look at our recent S&P ratings to see the strength of our fiscal foundations.
Most remarkably, as of March 2026, Israel ranks eighth in the world in the World Happiness Report. Our subjective sense of well-being remains in the global top 10, with our youth under 25 ranking third globally in contentment.
This reality defies logic. Many years ago, if one had told president Harry Truman that Israel would become America’s most reliable and capable military partner, he would have likely questioned one’s sanity.
Today, we see the “beyond imaginable”: Israeli military technology and personnel on the soil of the UAE, defending one of the wealthiest Arab Gulf states in the world.
The identity crisis within
Yet, these external triumphs are shadowed by a deepening internal struggle over the very soul of the nation. We are currently locked in a corrosive political debate regarding the ultra-religious sector and the limits of the social contract.
This friction – centering on whether a specific community can continue to reap the full benefits of citizenship while remaining exempt from the existential security responsibilities of IDF service – forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the true nature of the State of Israel.
This is not merely a budgetary dispute; it is a fracture in our national resilience. When a significant portion of the population feels the burden of survival is not shared, the “internal glue” of our democracy begins to dissolve.
While the Middle East transforms into a space of potential historic cooperation, it remains a significantly violent and dangerous time. We are in a state of national agreement that our war with Iran and its proxies poses a continuing existential threat. In such times, Social Cohesion is not a luxury; it is a primary factor of National Security.
The seeds of weakness: Lessons from history
History teaches us that the words spoken during a campaign can sow divisions that weaken a nation for decades. We must learn from the “ghosts” of elections past to avoid their mistakes:
- The “Culture War” Seed: In 1992, Pat Buchanan’s rhetoric in the US framed political opponents as existential threats to the “soul of America,” creating the chronic legislative gridlock seen in Washington today.
- The “Enemy Within” Seed: In the UK, Margaret Thatcher’s rhetoric regarding strikers and her claim that “there is no such thing as society” institutionalized class and regional divisions that still fracture British unity.
- The “Identity Revolt” Seed: Closer to home, the 1981 election saw Menachem Begin turn a derogatory slur against Mizrahi Jews into a badge of honor. While he stood for the marginalized, the result was a politicized ethnic split that institutionalized tribalism in our voting patterns.
When candidates choose to “win the day” by delegitimizing a portion of the electorate, they trade a short-term victory for 30 years of institutional decay.
The deepening confusion
Our current environment is uniquely fraught. While we face alarming highs in global antisemitism – including “Blood Libels” in The New York Times that echo the Middle Ages – we are also seeing a dramatic shift in support from our allies.
In Washington, voices are now willing to reevaluate the “veils” of Israel’s survival, questioning our nuclear capabilities – a clear sign of eroding support.
Simultaneously, our own democratically elected prime minister remains under never-ending investigations for behavior that – while claimed to be inappropriate – lacks the clear criminal weight to justify a case that could outlive the prime minister.
This internal impasse has led to a level of confusion so profound that national petitions have even asked for US intervention to solve the deadlock between the Judiciary and the Government. It is in this “unbelievable scenario” that we are heading to the polls.
A demand for a clean election
We cannot afford another election focused on what divides us. The internal divide and the hate it generates are our only true existential enemies. To protect the miracle of Israel, we must take a hard, cold look at our realities beyond the slogans and the protests.
We must hold everyone to task:
- The Candidates: You are on notice. If you use rhetoric aimed at dividing the country for the sake of a few seats, history will record you as a contributor to our national weakness.
- The Media and Influencers: From TV panelists to religious leaders and entertainers, the “shouting match” culture must end. You have a responsibility to foster a clean election process.
- The Public: We must be the ones to force this change. We must refuse to be baited by personal attacks and demand to hear real alternatives and meaningful policy solutions.
Israel has always been a testing ground for how a loud, dynamic domestic debate can take place without leading to violence. We are at a crossroads.
We can choose the path of Buchanan, Thatcher, and the “Tchach-tchachim” – a path that leads to a fractured, weakened state – or we can choose to be the superpower our economy and our “miracles” suggest we are.
This Friday, as we reflect on the week, let us resolve that this election will be about the issues. Let us demand a process that highlights the greater good of social cohesion. Our security, our happiness, and our place in the new Middle East depend on it.
The author is experienced global strategist and is a strategic adviser at the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs (JCFA). He can be reached at globalstrategist2020@gmail.com.