Netanyahu's New National Security Document

Days before the elections, Benjamin Netanyahu chose

to open the battle through the security gate. A document of

only three pages, yet it carried what he wanted

to be the headline of the next phase.

Israel's prime minister published a new vision for national security,

the first of its kind issued by him in nearly a decade,

according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, and in it he placed the threat

from Iran at the top of the priorities. He said Israel

is prepared to launch a preemptive strike against the

Iranian nuclear program even without U.S. support or

prior coordination with Washington. The document also called for

expanding buffer zones and strengthening military superiority,

developing deterrence and early warning, and reducing reliance on

external arms sources. It also warned of

large-scale cross-border attacks. While Netanyahu said Israel

is building a wall along the eastern border, the document

did not pass quietly. The Israeli opposition described it

as superficial and empty slogans, and it comes

This coincided with a poll showing Netanyahu's bloc

had lost two seats.