On January 17, 2024, our colleague Tom Dunne wrote that "In 2019, a report was issued by over 300 retired Israeli Generals and senior security leaders that I find remarkably wise and hopeful in assessing the "big picture" of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and in recommending a strategy for achieving lasting peace between the two parties. It was, of course, ignored — but I believe it is even more relevant today, since October 7. I have provided the link to it above, and have also put together a short summary of the report which I will be happy to send to you if you would like. Thank you for your sustained, calm courage in the midst of this current donnybrook!
We took Tom up on his offer and are including his summary below. Guy also noted that what is particularly important about this document now is not only that it takes a far different approach to the one being taken by Israel currently, but also that it envisions actions that Israel could start pursuing before any sort of agreement was in place. . No doubt, many of the ideas suggested in this plan are going to be much harder to implement now, given the level of destruction of Gaza and the intensification of fear and hatred on both sides. But that is also why a plan like this is so important--because continuing with the status quo is clearly not acceptable to anybody.
Introduction
In 2019 a group called “Commanders for Israel’s Security” published a report called “Gaza: An Alternative Israeli Strategy”. The group is made up of over 300 retired Israeli Generals and their equivalents in Israel’s security services (the IDF, the Shin Bet, Mossad and Israel Police). The report proposed a strategy “to extricate Israel from the current [Israeli-Palestinian] impasse as an interim step toward implementing its vision: a permanent two-state agreement with the Palestinians, to normalize relations and enter into security arrangements with pragmatic Arab states, and thus to secure Israel within final, recognized boundaries while ensuring its future as the democratic state of the Jewish people.” Here is the link to the proposed Israeli strategy: https://en.cis.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GazaStudyEnglishv.pdf Here are the highlights of the report, using direct statements from the report itself:
The Problem:
Gaza-based terrorist groups have been targeting Israeli population centers for years. . . while rendering unbearable the lives of the residents of southern Israel, especially those nearest to the Gaza Strip. Israel cannot accept this situation.
What is Needed:
Israel needs a new government policy and long-term strategy:
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The Israeli government has yet to formulate a clear policy on a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its approach is characterized by tactical thinking about postponing the next round of violence, rather than strategic thinking about how to prevent it. The absence of a clear policy and a long-term strategy concerning the future of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip jeopardizes Israel’s future as a secure and democratic state with a solid Jewish majority for generations to come.
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The government misses opportunities to enhance stability and signal that it rewards moderation and cessation of hostilities by providing Gazans with relief measures during periods of calm. Instead, relief comes only in response to rounds of fighting or other violent events. The government thereby reinforces the perception that violence is the only language it understands.
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Israel regards Hamas as a terrorist organization and takes action to deny it international legitimacy. But on the other hand Israel has been perpetuating Hamas' status as the ruler in Gaza for over a decade by negotiating with it through third parties.
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Even though it accepts that a stable ceasefire is impossible without improving the living conditions in the Gaza Strip, the government has repeatedly vetoed recommendations by the Israeli Defense Force and other security agencies for relief measures.
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The government avoids in-depth discussions of alternatives proposed by the defense agencies and others, and is yet to consider alternatives to its ‘more of the same’ approach.
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In conclusion, the course of action adopted by Israel's governments towards the Gaza Strip is misguided, undermines the IDF’s deterrence, and - as recent events proved yet again – leads to rounds of military confrontation that fail to yield long-term stability.
A military-only approach is not recommended: We reject suggestions that a military “shock and awe” approach can restore deterrence. Previous attempts have failed to change reality for longer than a limited period, and military force alone cannot end the recurring rounds of violence.
Worse yet, a military-only approach may lead to the reoccupation of the Gaza Strip and to Israel’s retaking control over its two million residents with no exit strategy in sight. The rejection of this alternative as a means of attaining long-term stability should not be mistaken for ruling out the use of force in response to violence or to intelligence about imminent attempts at violating Israel’s sovereignty or attacking its civilians or soldiers.
Also not recommended: a deal with Hamas: We reject the oft-discussed possibility of a deal with Hamas because it is incompatible with the main national goal: ensuring the character of Israel as a secure and democratic state with a solid Jewish majority for generations to come, through an agreed separation from the Palestinians in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Goal of This Strategy
The goal of our proposed strategy - Two states for two peoples: Only a solution based on the principle of two states for two peoples can secure our national objectives, whereby the West Bank and the Gaza Strip form a single political entity next to Israel.
The Strategy Itself
The strategy itself is political, military, and economic: The solution is broader than a military one. It's much more complex. As a rule, there are no military solutions to political problems. Any solution should be comprehensive, comprising political, military, and economic measures. Our proposed strategy consists of a phased initiative combining three interlocking elements:
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Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip: No stable ceasefire is possible without a solution to the humanitarian distress and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The situation in Gaza is characterized by an acute economic and financial crisis, a governmental vacuum, and rising volatility. The failure of the Hamas government to bear the costs of managing civilian affairs and the Palestinian Authority’s unwillingness to take responsibility for these affairs in the Gaza Strip have created a government vacuum that affects all spheres of life. The crisis in electricity (several hours' supply a day), water (95% unfit for human consumption), sanitation (a severe shortage of drugs and equipment), and employment (45% overall and 65% youth unemployment) are examples of this vacuum.
Solving the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip cannot wait for an overall settlement.
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A return of the Palestinian Authority as manager of Gaza: Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is impossible without the return of the Palestinian Authority, and as long as the donor community refuses to invest before being assured that a stable ceasefire reduces the risk that their investment again goes up in flames.
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A stable ceasefire: The report provides extensive recommendations for incentivizing and achieving the return of the Palestinian Authority and a stable ceasefire.
A phased approach: Simultaneous implementation of these three elements will be accomplished gradually in two stages, with each stage consisting of security, economic, and political measures:
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First stage – Designed to bring about immediate calm and pave the way for the Palestinian Authority’s return to the Gaza Strip.
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Second stage – Designed to consolidate long-term stability while restoring full civilian control to the Palestinian Authority.
This will be an international effort: Israel will enlist the support of international players with shared interests and which have already supported similar efforts. This includes Egypt, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Quartet and UN agencies, as well as the European Union.
The report continues for 20 pages, describing the proposed strategy in detail.
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There are several related reports from the same group: https://en.cis.org.il/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
