Ari Shavit, a prominent Israeli writer known for exploring Israel's identity and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, shares his insights on the aftermath of the October 7 attacks. He discusses the shift in national identity and the urgent need for a coherent strategy regarding Gaza. Shavit navigates the limitations of one-state and two-state solutions, advocating for mutual recognition to revive peace efforts. He also highlights the regional dynamics and security threats, particularly from Iran, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation for stability.
The trauma from the October 7 attacks has deeply transformed Israeli society, fostering a renewed awareness of national identity and security threats.
Future peace in the region depends on addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a multifaceted approach, emphasizing collaboration over military action.
Deep dives
The Impact of October 7th on Israeli Society
The trauma of the October 7th attacks profoundly transformed Israeli society, marking the end of a 50-year period of relative security. The assaults have rekindled deep historical fears and led many Israelis to feel increasingly vulnerable, shifting from a perception of living in comfort to confronting an existential threat. This resulted in a cultural awakening, as people began to recognize Israel’s precarious position amid surrounding tyrannies and fanatical ideologies, fundamentally altering the national consciousness. The enormity of the atrocities committed has further deepened the psychological scars, drawing parallels to historical Jewish persecution and emphasizing the urgent need for a reassessment of national priorities.
Israeli Politics and the Palestinian Issue
Before the October 7th attacks, the Israeli political discourse had largely sidelined the Palestinian conflict, creating a sense of disconnection from the reality on the ground. Both right-wing and left-wing factions tended to overlook the significance and implications of the Palestinian presence, which contributed to an atmosphere of blindness regarding the long-standing issues. The attacks served as a stark reminder that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not rooted merely in territorial disputes, but rather in deeper existential concerns regarding national identity and the very right to exist as a Jewish state. As the country grapples with these complexities, it becomes clear that a constructive dialogue on the Palestinian question is crucial for future peace and stability.
Rebuilding National Strategy and Regional Security
Despite initial resilience in the face of trauma, Israel currently lacks a cohesive national strategy, a void that has only intensified with the protracted conflict. The response to the challenges posed by Hamas and its regional allies has been disjointed, failing to acknowledge the broader geopolitical framework involving Iran, Russia, and China. However, recent military successes have renewed a sense of deterrence, suggesting a crucial turning point in Israel's regional posture. Nonetheless, sustaining this momentum requires acknowledgment of the interlinked nature of local and global threats, alongside a commitment to forging a comprehensive strategy that addresses both military and diplomatic concerns.
The Path Forward: Addressing Humanitarian and Political Challenges
Addressing the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a multifaceted approach that includes humanitarian considerations for Palestinians in Gaza. A proposed rebuilding effort suggests collaboration with moderate Arab nations to ensure a demilitarized and stable Gaza, emphasizing cooperation over retaliation. The Israeli government must articulate a vision that transitions from a purely military focus to one that promises peace and a future for both Israelis and Palestinians. Such a pragmatic framework could help redefine international perceptions and facilitate a genuine alliance with global partners, underscoring the need for joint efforts against radical extremism and for the promotion of democratic values.
A year has passed since Hamas’s October 7 assault on Israel sparked a brutal war in Gaza—one that is now spreading north into Lebanon and threatening to reel in bigger powers, including the United States.
But the war has always been bigger than Israel and Hamas, writes Ari Shavit in a new essay for Foreign Affairs. In his view, and the view of many Israelis, the main threat—not only to Israel but also to the free world—is Iran, backed by Russia and China.
Shavit, a leading Israeli writer, has spent decades trying to make sense of Israel's identity, democracy, and role in the Middle East. He is the author of My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel and Existential War: From Disaster to Victory to Resurrection. Foreign Affairs Editor Daniel Kurtz-Phelan spoke with him on October 4 about how Israelis are thinking about the conflict as it enters its second year—and what it will take to bring about peace.