Updated Strategic Assessment for Israel for 2020 and Recommendations for the New Government

This article details Israel’s strategic challenges and proposes recommendations for the newly established Israeli government. The authors analyse Israel’s relationships at the regional and global levels and they suggest how the new government should deal with many complicated issues. The authors argue that coronavirus created and intensified challenges for Israel; however, it opened new opportunities for Israel in dealing with its enemies and alliances. The authors recommend the new government to refrain from the unilateral annexation of the West Bank, since that will lead to negative effects; they also encourage the new government to conduct a long-term ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza Strip. At the regional level, the authors recommend the new government to enhance its relationship with Jordan, Egypt as well as the Gulf States. Moreover, the article argues that Iran is still a main threat to Israel, therefore, the new government should be active on this issue through coordination with US and Russia. For instance, the new Israeli government should renew efforts with Russia in Syria, and through Moscow Israel should influence not only the Iranian issue in Syria but also the Syrian army, particularly preventing any new acquisition of powers that can threaten Israel.