Israel: National Security and Securitization: The Role of the United States in Defining What Counts

Description

This book is the first comprehensive, book-length analysis of Israel and securitization processes. It develops an original analytical framework to ameliorate the theoretical understanding of the audience component during the securitization process, drawing upon insights from both securitization theory, political psychology, and IR theory. This gives us significant new insights into why some audiences are essential to be persuaded for securitization to occur, while others are not. This book also examines the role of the United States in defining what matters in Israeli National Security. In essence, since the United States is Israel's most significant ally, it is essential for the Israeli leadership to gain the American government's support (or its lack of resistance) for almost any securitization acts. The book analyses a highly original set of interviews with prominent figures in Israel who were at the top level of the Israeli decision-making process, including members of the political and military echelons. "Through unparalleled access to Israel's political and security echelons, Israel: National Security and Securitization provides a unique overview of Israel’s decision-maker's political perception over the years". Ehud Olmert- Prime Minister of Israel 2006-2009 "Israel: National Security and Securitization provides a powerful analysis of how the State of Israel confronted security threats, and what was the American involvement in the Israeli decision-making process".  Amos Yadlin, IDF Military Intelligence Directorate Chief 2006-2010 "This book makes us understand securitization in a novel and enlightening way, thus making a substantial contribution to our understanding of national security in general and Israeli security in particular". Gabriel Ben-Dor, University of Haifa "Wertman and Kaunert's book makes an important and unique contribution to the existing and developing literature on securitization". Kobi Michael, Institute for National Security Studies Preface References Praise for Israel: National Security and Securitization Introduction Why is This Book Important? Research Methodology and Operationalization Methods of Data Collection Ethics and Axiology of Securitization The Plan of the Book References Contents List of Figures 1 An Archeology of Knowledge on Securitization and Israel in the Middle East 1.1 Security and Securitization 1.2 The Philosophical and Sociological Approaches of Securitization 1.3 The Relationship Between the Securitizing Actor and the Audience 1.4 Disadvantages and Shortcomings in the Audience’s Conceptualization 1.5 Conclusion References 2 Securitization and the Audience Component: Reconceptualising and Operationalising the Concept 2.1 Two Basic Assumption for a New Audience Conceptualization 2.2 The Audiences and Their Sources for Legitimacy 2.2.1 Legal Audience 2.2.2 Political Audience 2.2.3 Illustration of the New Audience Conceptualization: Austria-Hungary Securitization of Serbia Prior the First World War 2.3 Conclusion References 3 The Six Day War: The Securitization of the Egyptian Army 3.1 The Israeli Defense Establishment Prior the Six Day War 3.2 The Egyptian Army Enters Sinai; Israel Perceives It as a Security Threat 3.3 IDF Proposes to Attack; Cabinet Decides to Turn to the Americans 3.4 Johnson Administration Opposes Israeli Military Action 3.5 Following the American Refusal, Israel Decides to Wait 3.6 Israel Awaits American Action; A Unity Government Is Formed 3.7 Perceiving an American Support, Israel Decides to Attack 3.8 Conclusion References 4 The Oslo Accords 1993–1995: The Securitization of the Bi-National State 4.1 The Israeli Palestinian Conflict Prior the Oslo Accords 4.2 Labor Wins the 1992 Election; Rabin Becomes Prime Minister 4.3 The Road to the “Declaration of Principles” 4.4 The Road to “Gaza-Jericho Agreement” 4.5 The Road to “Interim Agreement” 4.6 Conclusion References 5 Operation “Defensive Shield”: The Securitization of Arafat and the Palestinian Authority 5.1 Rabin is Assassinated. Peres Implements the Oslo Accords 5.2 Netanyahu Wins Elections. The Oslo Process is Delayed 5.3 Barak Wins Elections. The Peace Process Resumes 5.4 The Palestinian Intifada Erupts 5.5 Sharon Wins Elections. Palestinian Terrorism Escalates 5.6 A9/11 Terror Attacks: America’s Perception Started to Change 5.7 Israel Captures “Karine A”; Arafat Lost Washington 5.8 Palestinian Terrorism at Its Peak; Israel Launches “Defensive Shield” 5.9 Conclusion References 6 Operation “Outside the Box”: The Securitization of the Syrian Nuclear Reactor 6.1 The “Begin Doctrine” and Operation “Opera” in 1981 6.2 Israel Discovers the Syrian Nuclear Reactor 6.3 Israel Turns to the US Administration 6.4 Olmert Turns to the Israeli Security Cabinet 6.5 Barak Replaces Peretz as Defense Minister 6.6 America Refuses to Strike, yet Does not Oppose an Israeli Action 6.7 Olmert Convinces the Israeli Security Cabinet to Strike 6.8 Conclusion References Conclusion Findings References