The Misgav Institute’s “Israel 2.0 Project – A Reassessment of Israeli National Security” is rooted in the earthquake of October 7, 2023, Simchat Torah 5783 – a formative tragedy that has been etched forever into Israel’s collective national consciousness.[1]

The State of Israel after October 7 is no longer the same country that it was before, and it cannot return to what it once was. October 7 shook the foundations of numerous fundamental assumptions and historical paradigms that had been pillars of Israeli national security doctrine.

Many of these assumptions are no longer relevant to the new reality in which Israel now finds itself. They can no longer provide a basis for the development of strategies and tools necessary to ensure the country’s survival, security, and prosperity under these new conditions.

The Israel 2.0 initiative looks to the future, while engaging with the changes and trends emerging from the events of the past year-and-a-half.

This report – a flagship project of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy – constitutes a reassessment of the fundamental assumptions of Israeli national security in the wake of October 7. It is a preliminary report, intended to make accessible to decision-makers and the broader public key initial findings.

Given the wide-ranging, ambitious, and challenging nature of this initiative, we have chosen to name it “Israel 2.0.” This document envisions a future in which Israel undergoes a renewed process of national restoration, transitioning from “Israel 1.0” (as it might have been considered before October 7) to a new, updated, and improved version. In our view, “Israel 2.0” will emerge based on the revision of core assumptions within the broadest definition of national security, an understanding of current challenges, and the development of appropriate responses.

This project has been led by Prof. Gabi Siboni and Prof. Kobi Michael, supported by the guidance and encouragement of Misgav Institute Chairman Meir Ben-Shabbat. It relies on the dedication and expertise of a broad team of Misgav Institute Fellows, who have undertaken the task with diligence and professionalism.

In its early stages, the project was guided by a steering committee consisting of both Misgav Institute scholars and external experts. The objective was to form a diverse team representing a wide range of perspectives, comprised of experienced and knowledgeable individuals from various fields of expertise and practice.

The project began in early 2024, and the current document is therefore a preliminary report. Its focus is on identifying and formulating updated fundamental assumptions, mapping the key national security issues Israel must address, outlining initial challenges, and providing preliminary recommendations for responses. The work is still ongoing, and further analysis and recommendations are required for certain topics; both those mentioned in this document and others not yet included.

This document draws on numerous papers and reports that have been written and published as part of the project since its inception. Throughout the text, footnotes reference relevant papers, where readers can find expanded discussions of the main points presented here.

We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Misgav Institute Fellows and other experts who have contributed to this project: Mr. Elie Klutstein (Project Coordinator), Prof. Zaki Shalom, Dr. Rafi Biton, Dr. Hanan Shai, Dr. Yossi Mansharof, Prof. Yaron Zelekha, Mr. Eitan Ben-David, Mr. Asher Fredman, Mr. David M. Weinberg, Ms. Noa Lazimi, Dr. Yitzhak Klein, Dr. Adi Schwartz, Mr. Yaakov Plavinsky, Mr. Joseph Rosen, Mr. Yishai Armoni, and Mr. Yaniv Katz.

It is our sincere hope that our efforts will provide decision-makers and the public with a well-reasoned conceptual framework alongside policy recommendations that will pave the way for a promising future for Israel – ensuring its prosperity, security, and continued standing as the nation-state of the Jewish People.

[1] The expression “Israel 2.0” is borrowed from the world of software – i.e., a new and advanced version of software – and is intended to express the concept of Israel’s renewal considering the October 7 attack.