Responding to the Need for International Legitimacy: Strengthening the IDF Strike Force

The takeover of the Turkish ship MV Mavi Marmara, which prompted massive condemnation of Israel, demonstrated clearly the widening gap between how the IDF operates and how its actions are viewed by international public opinion. The IDF appears to have operated in accordance with international law in the face of explicit provocation intended to help a known terrorist organization under the guise of providing it with humanitarian assistance. The justi cation for the action was obvious, as was the manner in which the IDF acted, both in terms of the mode of action and in terms of the operational level, including the conduct of the ghters whose lives were in danger once they boarded the ship. Therefore, the world’s harsh condemnation of Israel was nothing short of hypocrisy. This essay analyzes the main changes that have occurred in the strategic arena, especially the rising in uence of the delegitimization campaign on the deployment of military force. The essay claims that in light of these changes the IDF must formulate a comprehensive strategy to coordinate force buildup and force deployment, and thereby allow an effective confrontation with the complex challenges facing the nation.