MembersThe Smaller Israel’s Army, the Greater Its Faith

But that was offset by the nation’s overriding faith that it could defeat any enemy, no matter the odds. That faith led to the defeat of four Arab armies. Today, Israel’s military is 10 times the size it was back then, and the Jewish state is regarded as a regional superpower with the most advanced weapons in the world at its disposal. But the faith has dissipated.

Whereas Israel once faced off against half the armies in the Middle East, it now lacks the requisite faith to fully defeat even the Hamas terror regime in the Gaza Strip. The most recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was seen as an indication of political incompetence and weakness on the part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Most Israelis, and in particular the residents of the western Negev region, were displeased by the decision to seemingly let Hamas off the hook following the latest rocket barrage. A survey conducted by the Mako news agency found that 74 percent of Israelis were dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s handling of the situation. Even Defense Minister Avigdor...