The Secret Weapon of the National Ethos and the Israeli Alliance

• In Event: Explaining the Israeli Government’s Response to Crises

Abstract

Much has been written about the failure of Israeli governmental ministries to cope with the sudden state of war that started on October 7, 2023. However, this study refers to a different issue: the efficient response of the Israeli civil society to the crisis and to a large extent – its takeover of positions that are officially within the roles of central and local authorities. Furthermore, the capacity of Israeli civil society to react quickly and effectively is puzzling particularly considering the political events that preceded the war. Apparently, the Israeli public switched at once from the almost violent division over the judicial reform to total recruitment to the war effort and to a demonstration of national unity and solidarity. This research analyses Israeli society and finds an inherent deep collective commitment, hidden in its national ethos. This shared devotion dictated for many Israelis their reactions to the 2023 Hamas massacre and their behavior throughout the war that followed.

Author

• Eyal Lewin, Ariel University