(English translation) Israel's National Security Concept

(English translation) Israel’s National Security Concept

Government Press Office:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Issues Israel’s National Security Doctrine
to the Public

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Sunday, 18 October 2026)
[translated from Hebrew]:

“”The October 7, 2023 attack compelled Israel to wage a fierce war. Through
continuous combat – from Gaza to Yemen, from Lebanon to Iran – Israel warded
off an imminent existential nuclear threat and removed the chokehold of the
Iranian axis. The Government and the Security Cabinet made well-considered
decisions, the IDF and security branches struck with immense force, and the
civilian home front stood firm.

The War of Redemption necessitated an upgrade of fundamental principles
within the traditional national security doctrine, among them: giving
priority to prevention and offense over containment and defense, including
launching preemptive strikes to thwart evolving threats; strengthening home
front defense against new threats; cementing Israel’s status as a regional
power; building maximum independence in munitions; ensuring superiority in
the most advanced technologies; and intensifying the fight against global
waves of antisemitism. Concurrently, opportunities have been created for
forging new alliances in our region and beyond.”

The Prime Minister’s security doctrine was formulated with the assistance of
the National Security Council (NSC) and NSC Director Shmuel Ben Ezra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCpJ-reOuMk

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IMRA’s Unofficial English translation of the original Hebrew document

Israel’s National Security Concept

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister

Jerusalem Cheshvan 5787 October 2026

Office of the Prime Minister – National Security Staff

The attack of 7 October 2023 compelled Israel to wage a fierce war. In
continuous fighting-from Gaza to Yemen, from Lebanon to Iran-Israel pushed
back the threat of imminent nuclear destruction and removed the strangling
noose of the Iranian axis. The government and the political-security cabinet
made informed decisions; the IDF and the security branches attacked with
force; and the civilian home front stood firm.

The War of Revival required a reassessment of fundamental principles in the
traditional concept of national security, among them: giving priority to
prevention and attack over containment and defense, including taking a
preemptive strike to thwart emerging threats; strengthening home-front
defense against new threats; establishing Israel’s status as a regional
power; building maximum independence in armaments; ensuring superiority in
the most advanced technologies; strengthening the struggle against the waves
of global antisemitism. In parallel, opportunities emerged for establishing
new alliances in our region and beyond.

Principal Threats

Arenas:

The Shiite axis and the Muslim Brotherhood (AH”SI) axis

Convergence of hostile axes

Terrorism and internal security threats

Delegitimization and isolation from allies

Borders – northern, eastern and western

Armaments:

Nuclear weapons

Drones from within Israel and abroad

Precision missiles

Cyber, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies

Illegal weapons in Israel

UAVs and drones

Armaments evolving at a rapid pace

Central Principles

Military superiority in capabilities – The State of Israel must always
remain one step ahead of its enemies. It must avoid containment of enemy
attacks and of the enemy’s force buildup, ensure superiority in capabilities
against all its enemies, and not rely on the intentions of enemies and
friends, which may change in the blink of an eye.

1) Prevention of nuclear weapons – Including by proactive offensive action.

2) Deterrence – Establishing a credible threat by means of the capability
for precise and massive fire, and by thwarting and disrupting military and
civilian systems.

3) Early warning – Obtaining and maintaining a continuous and effective
intelligence picture of the enemy’s capabilities and intentions, in a manner
that prevents surprise.

4) Initiative, stratagem, and a critical approach – Fostering these
principles in the IDF and all security branches, including readiness for a
surprise preemptive strike.

5) Defense – Stopping invasion at the borders, maintaining buffer zones as
needed, defending the home front against attacks from within Israel and
abroad, providing a response to a broad spectrum of threats, including
surprise attacks and drones, and maintaining constant readiness for war.

6) Alliances – Cultivating Israel’s assets to promote regional and
international alliances.

7) Technology and independence in force buildup – Reducing dependence on
foreign parties; strengthening independent capabilities in force buildup,
research and development, and local production, and developing
superpower-level capabilities in critical technologies (quantum, artificial
intelligence, space, and others); significantly increasing the defense
budget.

8) Struggle to shape perceptions – Developing capabilities, including
artificial intelligence, to shape perceptions in the struggle against Iran
and other enemy states, and to combat anti-Zionism and antisemitism in the
international arena.

9) Victory – Breaking the enemy’s strength and its belief in its ability to
constitute a real threat, by means of all the above principles.

10) The spirit of the people – National cohesion and agreement on
foundational principles, foremost among them: Israel as the nation-state of
the Jewish people, democratic government, readiness to fight for the
security of the state while striving for victory, encouragement of
independent thinking, settlement of the Land of Israel and cultivation of
Israel’s heritage, maintaining ties with the Jewish diaspora and encouraging
aliyah.

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Arab-Israeli relations

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Source: https://www.imra.org.il/story.php?id=74503