On Tuesday (December 3, 2024), the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee held a discussion in preparation for the first reading of the “National Security Strategy” bill proposed by Knesset members Gadi Eisenkot and Committee Chairman MK Yuli Edelstein. Dr. Elad Gil, Head of Research at Tachlit Institute, participated in the discussion and presented an expert opinion, highlighting the following key points:

Global experience and lessons from Israel’s past demonstrate that establishing institutional mechanisms for developing structured and critical thinking, coupled with reporting and feedback loops, have significant potential to ensure better security preparedness and instill strategic thinking within the security establishment, which will improve national security in the long term.

The proposed legislation consists of three central layers that together create a coordinated and sophisticated mechanism:

1. Development of strategy and oversight within the executive branch
2. Improvement of interfaces between government ministries and the Prime Minister and ministers
3. Parliamentary supervision through reporting to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and creating a connection between the security strategy and the security budget formulation

As Dr. Gil described, the law establishes for the first time a legal framework that will require future governments, beginning with the next administration, to develop a national security strategy according to their own conception, and will enable professional bodies to create the broadest possible strategic vision.