Feeling of Helplessness Despite Apparent Strength: Israel Between Military Stability and Existential Threats

Despite the immense military and economic power that Israel possesses, the feeling of helplessness remains present in the minds of Israeli leaders and citizens alike. Israel, which was founded on the idea of a "Jewish national homeland," faces an existential dilemma that cannot be ignored. While it continues to build strong alliances and military superiority in the region, it still finds itself stuck in an ongoing conflict on multiple fronts, making the feeling of helplessness despite its apparent strength an undeniable reality.

Israel is not just a modern state established in the 20th century, but an entity that emerged amidst a continuous struggle over its legitimacy in the heart of a volatile region. The Israeli state, despite its great military success and obtaining international recognition, always feels existential threats stemming from the foundation upon which it was built. Israel established itself on religious and historical grounds, through claiming ancient biblical rights in a land that was inhabited by another people, the Palestinian people. This reality, despite the apparent strength, leaves Israel in a constant defensive position, where there remains a deep feeling in the collective Palestinian and Arab consciousness that Israel should not exist.

One of the biggest dilemmas facing Israel is the continuation of the conflict with the Palestinians. Despite all the military and political gains, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, which reinforces the feeling of helplessness. Israel fails to find a final peaceful settlement, and violence and military escalation remain part of the daily equation. This conflict not only poses a security threat but also undermines Israel's credibility on the international stage and increases its political isolation. The conflict with the Palestinians also reflects the internal division within Israeli society, which ranges between those who advocate for peaceful solutions and political concessions, and those who demand military expansion and occupation. This division complicates Israel's political image, making it appear as if it is stuck between its military power and its desire to achieve lasting peace.

Israel, despite its military strength, faces demographic challenges that may threaten its long-term stability. With the increasing number of Palestinians in the occupied territories, whether in the West Bank or Gaza Strip, Israel feels threatened by a shift in the demographic balance in favor of the Palestinian Arabs. This demographic threat could lead to the erosion of Israel's "Jewish identity," and enhance the feeling of helplessness in the state's ability to maintain a stable internal balance in the future.

Israel may militarily surpass its neighbors in the region, but it fully realizes that military power does not guarantee political or psychological stability. Repeated military operations against Palestinians or neighboring countries may lead to increased international hostility and political isolation, deepening the feeling of internal instability. Those operations may be beneficial in the short term, but they leave negative long-term effects, where anti-Israel sentiments increase and tensions within Israeli society itself intensify.

Despite the strong alliances that link Israel to major powers, such as the United States, it is not free from continuous international pressure due to its practices in the Palestinian territories. The ongoing settlement expansion in the West Bank and the blockade on Gaza expose it to widespread criticism from the international community. Even if Israel enjoys support from some major powers, that support does not necessarily mean the absence of pressure on its policies, especially with the growing international awareness of human rights issues in the occupied territories.

Within Israel, there is a continuous struggle over its national identity and the nature of its domestic and foreign policies. This struggle includes not only disagreements between the left and right, but also tensions between Jews and Arabs within Israel itself. Palestinians in Israel, who make up about 20% of the population, suffer from discrimination and inequality, which increases internal tensions. This struggle contributes to reinforcing the feeling of helplessness in Israel, as it faces challenges in building a unified and stable internal society, despite its military strength.

Despite all these challenges, it can be said that Israel is seeking solutions in the wrong places. While it continues to strengthen its military power and international alliances, it does not seem to realize that the solution lies in reconciliation with the Palestinian people. This solution, which may seem simple on the surface, represents the essential point that could lead to radical transformations in Israel's future. Looking at Palestinians as an inescapable reality, and recognizing their right to live in peace and dignity, is the solution that can make a real difference. Military power and strategic alliances cannot resolve a long-standing conflict, while recognition of Palestinians and Israel's pursuit of peaceful coexistence with them could form a weapon stronger than any military force, ensuring long-term stability and legitimacy on the international stage.

Interestingly, many local and international political forces, even in the United States, believe that this vision is the safest for Israel. This belief does not necessarily stem from love for Palestinians or recognition of their rights alone, but from the conviction that a fair and sustainable solution with Palestinians is the greatest guarantee for Israel's long-term stability. Because continuing military policies and settlement expansion may lead to escalation of internal and external crises, reconciliation with Palestinians may represent the safest option not only for justice, but also for preserving Israel's security and ensuring its continuity as a safe and stable state.

In my personal opinion, the scales tip in favor of the Palestinians, a matter that Israelis are well aware of. If Israelis reach conviction in this reality, it could represent a fundamental turning point in the conflict. The existence of a true balance of power between the two sides could open the way to finding common ground leading to permanent solutions. From this perspective, reconciliation and mutual recognition could be the first step towards creating a new reality in the region, transcending the logic of military power and occupation, and ultimately achieving the interest of everyone.

In the end, perhaps the solution for Israel lies in its ability to politically adapt to changes in the region, and strive for a fair political solution that ensures the rights of Palestinians and Israelis alike. In a contemporary world striving for justice and peace, military power alone is not enough to maintain permanent stability, but it requires political settlements that put an end to a long-standing conflict.