Understanding Contemporary Israeli National-Security policymaking : The Role of the Military Establishment / Khamis Al Ali.

Includes author biography (page 117).

Includes bibliographical references (pages 103 - 115).

Introduction. page 3.

Israel's Shifting Civil-Military Relations: A Complex Dynamic. page 15.

Comparative Analysis of Israeli and US Decision-Making Processes. page 27.

A Gradual Evolution in Israeli Security Decision-Making. page 33.

The Concept of Mamlakhtiyut and the IDF. page 39.

Key Stages in Israel's Shifting Civil-Military Landscape: Case Study Analysis. page 45.

The 1993 Oslo Accords. page 47.

The Second Intifada. page 55.

The Second Lebanon War. page 66.

Netanyahu's Failed Push to Strike Iran. page 72.

The 2014 Gaza War. page 76.

The Judicial Reform Crisis of 2023. page 80.

The Gaza War. page 86.

Conclusion. page 95.

Bibliography. page 103.

About the Author. page 117.

The book “Understanding Contemporary Israeli National-Security policymaking : The Role of the Military Establishment” by Khamis Al Ali examines the evolution of civil–military relations in Israel as a complex and dynamic interaction shaped by changing political and security contexts. It argues that Israeli security decision-making has gradually shifted from clear military dominance in earlier periods toward a more intertwined structure involving both political leadership and the military establishment, while tensions persist regarding authority and responsibility. The study compares Israeli and U.S. decision-making processes, suggesting that the Israeli system is less institutionalized and more dependent on informal networks, which allows the military to exert significant influence, whereas the United States relies on more formalized mechanisms defining civilian control. The book also discusses the concept of Mamlakhtiyut (statism) and its connection to the Israel Defense Forces, portraying the military as a central national institution that both reinforces state cohesion and generates friction when its influence expands into political domains. Through case studies—including the 1993 Oslo Accords, the Second Intifada, the Second Lebanon War, Netanyahu’s unsuccessful push to strike Iran, the 2014 Gaza War, the 2023 judicial reform crisis, and the Gaza war—the book analyzes key turning points that reshaped civil–military relations. It concludes that these relations in Israel remain fluid and continually evolving, influenced by security threats, domestic political divisions, and leadership dynamics, resulting in an ongoing negotiation over the balance between civilian control and military influence.