Myths of Israeli Invincibility
Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on Gaza have once again raised the issue of Israel’s legitimacy. Muslim rulers decided not to break from the past and have once again undertaken actions which in no way reverses the Israeli occupation. It’s these rulers who have recycled the invincibility of Israel argument and knowingly or unknowingly pushed that the Muslim world should accept the existence of Israel and negotiate with what remains of Palestine. Here are 10 examples to refute the invincibility of Israel argument.
- Strategic depth – Israel is an artificial nation created by colonial powers. The nation is so small that in any war scenario Israeli territory would suffer from significant loss and damage as it will have to fight from within its own territory. A hostile fighter could fly across all of Israel (40 nautical miles wide from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea) within four minutes.
- Internal cohesion – Domestic stability has always been a problem for Israel as it was established upon a racist basis. The reality of secular Israel is that it practices racism on a state level, even upon the Jews. The close correlation between ethnicity and socio-economic class in Israel remains the main axis along which the Ashkenazi – European Jews – and Oriental – Middle Eastern Jews – division is drawn. The formation of an Israeli ethnic-class divides the Jewish society of Israel from within. This apartheid has now been entrenched into a system of laws, regulations and practices which govern the operation of state institutions.
- Small population – Israel’s biggest problem is its small population relative to the region. Israel has a population of 7.9 million and must have an increasing demography if it is to survive in the region. As Israel is vastly outnumbered by the nations surrounding it, it has a big reliance on migration. In the last decade no other country in the world has had such a large percentage of new immigrants preparing to leave. Due to security fears, growing numbers of Israelis want to leave and Israel is now in a situation where every year more Jews leave Israel for Europe and the US than emigrate to Israel.
- Labour problem – The knock on effect of such a small population is a labour shortage. Israel only has a labour force of 3.3 million. Economic development and industrial development are labour intensive and dependent on knowledge and skills retention. With such a small labour force Israel is heavily reliant upon foreign knowledge and expertise.
- Economy – Israel’s economy is worth $245 billion, this is just too small to cater for Israel’s population. This has a knock on effect on how much tax the government collects as it subsidises the world’s Jews to migrate to Israel to normalise its occupation. As a result Israel has focused on key industries for its survival. This means many industries such as mining and manufacturing have been neglected. To compensate for this Israel relies on technology, military and foreign aid transfers. It also relies on influential Jews across the world, especially in the US to manipulate foreign policies of these states in favour of Israel. Israel has a heavy dependency on the goodwill of other states. If it was to lose favour it is too small a country to be self-sufficient.
- Poverty – One effect of such an economy is poverty in Israel. Twenty-four per cent – over 2 million Israeli citizens – live below the poverty line. The small budget of the Israeli government has led to many to resort to utilizing family links to gain wealth. One report in 2010 highlighted 18 Israeli families controlled 60% of all Israeli companies. Their wealth is concentrated in four of Israel’s largest industries: banking and insurance, chemicals, high tech, and military/homeland security.
- Lack of resources – Israel will never become self-sufficient as it will always have to import energy. Israel relies heavily on external imports for meeting most of its energy needs, spending significant amounts from its domestic budget for its transportation sector which relies on gasoline and diesel fuel, while the majority of electricity production is generated using imported coal. Whilst the region has an abundance of oil and gas, none of this is in Israel.
- Reliance on exports – Foreign markets are critical for Israel. Due to having a very small domestic market (due to its small population) it is forced to search for foreign markets to generate wealth. Industrialised nations generally focus 10% of their economy towards foreign trade (imports and exports). However 30% of the Israeli economy relies on exports, which is very high. Israel’s main exports 10 years ago were Jaffa oranges and other agricultural products. Today an estimated 80% of the products Israel exports are high-tech and electronics components. Forty per cent of Israeli exports end up on US shores even though the US can make the same agricultural goods and computer hardware. A reliance on foreign markets makes an economy dependent on foreigners constantly consuming and ties the fortunes of ones economy with others.
- Agriculture – The geography of Israel is not naturally conducive to agriculture. More than half of the land area is desert, and the climate and lack of water resources do not favor farming. Only 20% of Israel’s land area is naturally arable. Whilst Israel is now able to produce most of what it needs it has to also export produce to earn much needed foreign income. Israel’s Achilles-Heel however is its need to import grain. Eighty per cent of its grain is imported, which is another strain on government tax revenues.
- Water – Israel suffers from a chronic water shortage. In recent years it is feared Israel may find it difficult to adequately supply municipal and household water requirements. Israel’s water sources are considered to be running out with 95% already consumed. New sources for water are considered to be small and will be unable to fully replace its main source when it runs out.