Amir Avivi
@Amir_Avivi · Israeli security analysts & ex-officials
Amir Avivi is a retired IDF brigadier general and the founder of the IDSF (Bithonistim) movement of security veterans.
So what warnings were given to the Bennett government about the war that was about to break out? Here is a summary of a 360-page situation assessment produced by the הביטחוניסטים movement and placed on the Bennett government's desk. Components of this assessment were presented at several major conferences, one of them at an Im Tirtzu conference in January 2022. What did Bennett, Gantz, Eisenkot, and Lieberman do with it? Nothing! It is no coincidence that they are not allowing a national commission of inquiry to be established and are trying to hide behind the apron of the High Court of Justice.
Translated from HebrewI strongly believe that Israel’s national security must be built from the inside out. I devoted many years to researching the issue of governance together with my colleagues from הביטחוניסטים, and wrote extensive chapters about it in my two books, ‘We Will Not Turn Back’ and ‘The State on the Way,’ where I proposed groundbreaking ideas that can change reality from one end to the other. I want to thank the prime minister for choosing me to lead this issue in the next government. It is a great privilege for me to advance the strengthening of governance and the internal security of the State of Israel. This is the most important and pressing issue for most Israeli citizens. Over the years, I learned to put the good of my country before everything else, even before ego and personal interests. In my childhood, as the son of an ambassador serving on missions around the world, as a teenager who returned from a British high school to enlist, and as a military man for decades up to the rank of brigadier general, what was always before my eyes was the national security of my country. That is why I also accepted the prime minister’s request now. I will continue to act both in the private sphere and in the public sphere for the security of my people and homeland. Thank you all for the warm responses.
Translated from HebrewPrime Minister, thank you for the trust. It is a privilege to be a partner in ensuring Israel's security and prosperity for generations. Now we are doing everything so that the right-wing bloc and Likud win!
Translated from HebrewThese elections are not about the past. They are about the future of the State of Israel. The decisive question is who will lead Israel in the coming years: will we continue until victory, bring down the Shiite axis, and realize together with President Trump a historic opportunity for prosperity, or will we hand the country back to those who are still captive to the old conceptions? That is what the elections are about. Nothing else.
Translated from HebrewThree years of existential war on seven fronts, and instead of shouldering the burden, the opposition chose not only to sit on the bench and even topple the stretcher, but also to interfere and put sticks in the wheels, including calls for surrender. Whoever thinks that the public will forget this on election day is gravely mistaken.
Translated from HebrewCalling the Eli preparatory academy, 33 of whose graduates fell in this “Judeo-Nazi” war, is crossing a red line. Bogie, be ashamed.
Translated from HebrewIt always amazes me to see how interviewers on foreign media channels rush to heap harsh criticism on Israel, but almost never stop for a moment to examine the history of their own countries. These days the question arises again: “What will happen in Gaza?” What I said in this interview a year and a half ago is still true today: As long as there is a murderous enemy beyond the fence seeking to harm us, we must not stop. Israel must continue until the threat is removed and the security of its citizens is ensured.
Translated from HebrewI listened to Ofer Winter’s words today, and I believe the time has come to say clear things. For a year and a half I have been following Ofer Winter’s videos, most of which concern the war, and each time anew I am astonished by the lack of intellectual depth and the lack of understanding of strategy at the national and international levels in a war on seven fronts. A good tactician is not necessarily a strategist or a talented statesman. These are completely different worlds. I encounter this slogan-based approach in the studios from time to time as well. Post–October 7 statements like “They do not want to achieve a decisive victory, the conception” and so on. How easy it is to live in a world devoid of constraints and challenges, devoid of prioritization among the fronts and devoid of regional and global issues. A black-and-white world. How easy it is to sit in the stands for three years and, instead of contributing to the war effort, shout “the referee...” from every platform, when you do not even understand the rules of the game you are watching. As someone who founded the Securityists Movement three years before the war in order to fight the conception and establish a national security doctrine for generations, and as someone who warned in his writings and in an entire book that we were facing a multi-arena war, I decided on October 7 to stand with my whole self alongside the Securityists for victory and to engage solely in helping in every way to strengthen the people, the defense establishment, and the government of Israel with the aim of winning. Over the last three years I have seen up close the decision-making processes at the national level, the enormous challenges, and the enormous complexity with which we are dealing, and I professionally believe that the campaign is being managed by the prime minister in an extremely impressive manner and that it is not over yet. In this war, the prime minister made hysterical and extraordinarily brave decisions. “Operation Rising Lion” is a formative event no less significant than the Six-Day War, and it is changing the entire region. The ability to bring the United States on board is a historic event that will be discussed extensively in the future. I have no doubt that victory will come, but it will come with deep thinking, determination, strategic patience, and alongside that continued worldwide diplomatic activity. Wars are not won with empty slogans, and certainly not from the stands.
Translated from HebrewAnyone who thinks that the people of Israel are a mob that needs to be run by a group of self-appointed “enlightened” people is not a democrat and is not worthy of the Knesset of Israel.
Translated from HebrewFrom a historical perspective and in comparison with World War II, Netanyahu is the Churchill of the 21st century, and in this sense the statesmanship he has demonstrated so far in the war is also needed after the elections to ensure a strategic victory and lead Israel into a golden age. Netanyahu and Churchill both initially faced a regional power alone, and both sought to bring America into the fighting shoulder to shoulder. However, Netanyahu acted amid the unprecedented constraints of a hostile world; America did not stand behind him at critical moments, and he made decisions such as Rafah and the elimination of Nasrallah, as well as launching Operation Rising Lion against the American will. With determination and courage, he ultimately succeeded, like Churchill, in harnessing great America. The task is not over. The fronts are still open, and the future of us all depends on his ability to finish the task and lead us toward a bright future. This is what the elections are about, ladies and gentlemen, and therefore when you go to the polls you must do so with holy awe and understand that, more than any coalition composition, the identity of the prime minister will determine our future.
Translated from HebrewWhat more is needed to understand that Mansour Abbas must not sit in the Israeli Knesset? In Arab countries, the Muslim Brotherhood is outlawed, and only here are they in the Israeli Knesset—and they even want to be given the keys to power. It is absurd that this needs to be said, but a situation in which members of the Muslim Brotherhood sit in the government of the Jewish state must not be allowed.
Translated from HebrewWant to know why there is no unity on the right? Why hasn't an organization been formed that would truly strengthen the right rather than split it? It's not too late to do so. What needs to be done? Listen to what I said this morning in the interview!
Translated from HebrewFinding the Altalena is a historical reminder of Begin’s words: “Never a civil war.” No disputes and no rivalries. The Altalena should be a symbol of unity. Shoulder to shoulder, together we will fight, together we will win.
Translated from Hebrew“I am coming to you, Jew.” Not Israeli. Jew. A military force is being built in Syria that we must not ignore. Pinpoint strikes are not enough. After October 7, when an enemy declares his intentions, we listen and act in time.
Translated from HebrewWhoever read the previous book knew about the war long before it broke out. My second book, “The State in the Making,” which has just come hot off the press, foresees Israel’s golden age. If this sounds far-fetched to you… you simply need to read the book. To purchase the book “The State in the Making”
Translated from HebrewIf the right loses power, everything will return. The buildup of terrorist attacks along the borders and a real danger to our existence. Anyone who thinks I am exaggerating should watch Yair Golan’s remarks about the latest attack in Syria
Translated from HebrewThe Lebanese army is a broken reed to lean on; this is something that keeps happening again and again. It has neither the desire nor the ability to dismantle Hezbollah—for us, that should not make a difference: either way, Hezbollah remains. The clashes that occur from time to time, especially in the area of the Ali Taher Ridge, prove that Hezbollah has no interest in disarming itself and restoring peace to Lebanon. That is exactly why we are there; we must not return to the international border and leave the enemy to grow stronger again along the fence.
Translated from HebrewThe responsibility for the security of our citizens is ours. Hamas and Hezbollah are rebuilding their strength, and this war must not end without defeating the Shiite axis.
Translated from HebrewSince October 7, we have made enormous strides, but anyone visiting today along the border fence in the Gaza envelope immediately understands: the mission is still far from complete. Itamar Eitam and I toured the area today and heard a comprehensive briefing from members of “Otef Israel” and from the residents who invited us. This joins a series of briefings and meetings I have held in recent months. I say this simply and honestly: We must not rest on our laurels. If Israel does not prevail in Gaza, it will not only be the communities around Gaza that are in danger, but the State of Israel and the entire Jewish people. Victory is possible. It requires determination, perseverance, and clarity about the objective. Soon I will elaborate on the way in which, in my view, it is necessary and possible to achieve it! @otef_israel
Translated from Hebrew