A Unified Direction for Protest and Struggle

A professional assessment of the social and political reality in Israel, based on an in-depth sociological and anthropological analysis with a specific focus on military ethics, leads to two central conclusions. Together, these conclusions define the optimal parameters for protest and public struggle currently.

First Moral-Ethical Imperative – The Return of the Abductees

The ongoing national effort to return all abductees – without delay – must remain the top priority. This imperative is deeply rooted in both ethical principles and Jewish tradition, which upholds the value: "Whosoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the entire world." This principle is also a cornerstone of Israel's democratic-liberal ethos. Additionally, the value of "camaraderie," is a fundamental pillar of The Spirit of the IDF, underscores the state's duty to protect its citizens and act decisively to save them. The founding document of the IDF explicitly states: "An IDF soldier will operate out of commitment and devotion to their fellow soldiers. The soldier will always extend other servicemembers a helping hand when they need assistance or depend on it, and they will do so despite any difficulty or risk." Ignoring or eroding this value would impose a heavy social and moral cost on Israeli society.

The value of "camaraderie" is not merely a military principle but a societal framework that shapes the moral and ethical resilience of Israeli society. Failure to uphold this imperative would leave an enduring scar on the nation's collective conscience.

Second Moral-Ethical Imperative – Preserving the Democratic Regime

While the return of the abductees remains paramount, the broader struggle unfolding in Israel is inherently political. The main threat to the continuation of a liberal democracy in Israel is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government he leads, which is ideologically aligned with the radical and extremist right – marked by messianic and racist tendencies.

A socio-political analysis of the current government's power dynamics reveals that these extremist factions will not act as a moderating force. On the contrary, they will continue to push for actions that undermine democratic institutions and the rule of law. This trend aligns with a broader global phenomenon – the rise of authoritarian populism – which poses a serious threat to liberal democracies worldwide.

A critical examination of the government's rhetoric exposes a stark contrast between its stated goal of "restoring balance" to the democratic system and its actual policies, which systematically weaken democratic institutions and constitutional processes. The dissonance between declarations about strengthening democracy and actions that erode it is a clear symptom of a deep regime crisis.

Combining Moral-Ethical Imperatives and Strategic Action

The integration of these moral imperatives leads to an unmistakable operational conclusion: public protest must coalesce around a single, concrete objective – the removal of the current government and the call for new elections. Without this, the likelihood of securing the safe return of the abductees nullifies.

An effective strategy requires the formation of a broad coalition of social forces –including politicians, opinion leaders, business leaders, religious figures, and other key sectors. This coalition should adopt a unified, resolute message that seamlessly combines the two moral imperatives into one overarching goal.

Social cohesion around a common cause, supported by a clear and unified message, significantly increases the likelihood of meaningful socio-political change. The proposed paradigm – "all or nothing", commemoration or chaos – reflects a strategic understanding of how socio-political transformations occur and what conditions are necessary for the success of public protest during a national crisis.

* An abbreviated version of this article was published on the "War Room" website on 20.3.2025.