Knesset Israel Victory Caucus Held In Jerusalem (Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 07/13/23

Jerusalem, Israel - July 13, 2023 - With each newly elected Knesset, formerly routine meetings of a caucus begin anew, therefore, an opening meeting of the Knesset Israel Victory Caucus (KIVC) was held in the Knesset on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. The session was held in the Negev Hall and hosted by MKs Ohad Tal and Evgeny Sova.

Speakers from the government and opposition, as well as security officials, called on Israel to start defeating its enemies, in the KIVC event titled “How Should Israel Win the Next War?” With important voting sessions of the Knesset Plenery, the caucus started later than the scheduled time. Among the Knesset Members who particiated were Minister of Settlements and National Missions Orit Struck, Members of Knesset Danny Danon, Simcha Rothman, and Sharon Nir.

“Our enemies are striving to defeat us, they are not satisfied with sharing,” said Minister Struck. “In today’s reality, it is time to talk about victory. For too long we have talked about managing (the conflict), it is time for our country to focus on victory and defeating our enemies.”

Co-chairs of the KIVC, MKs Tal and Sova also focused on a similar theme. “We used to know how to win, as in 1948 and 1967, because we had no choice,” MK Tal said. “Unfortunately, something happened to us around 30 years ago, since the Oslo Accords, Israel’s mentality changed. We stopped demanding of ourselves to win, but wars only end with a winner and a loser, and we need to stop acting like our existence here is questionable.”

‘There should be no difference between the coalition and opposition on this issue,” said MK Sova. “The moment this issue will be debated in the Knesset committees, you will find the full support of the Opposition, at least with our party Yisrael Beytenu.”

U.S. Congressmen Mike Lawler and Chuck Fleischmann sent video greetings to the KIVC, and talked about the importance of the U.S. – Israel relationship and expressed their strong support for Israel’s national security.

The KIVC was held in coordination with the U.S. based Middle East Forum, which manages the Israel Victory Project, an initiative that seeks to change the public discourse on the Arab-Israeli conflict. Director of the Middle East Forum Gregg Roman spoke about the urgent need for Israel to act differently towards its enemies. “A recent survey by a respected Palestinian pollster found that 66 percent of Palestinians believe that Israel will not celebrate its 100th anniversary. Only 27 percent think the Jewish state will still exist in 25 years,” Roman stated speaking in Hebrew. “The Palestinians see Israel as weak, transient, and, above all, possible to defeat. A majority of Palestinians believe the conflict will end in their ultimate victory.”

Several security experts and former senior IDF officials also participated in the session, including Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser who presented the strategy paper he wrote for the Middle East Forum’s Israel Victory Project challenging Israel’s reactive “mow the lawn” policy for the Gaza Strip, instead presenting a path for a proactive and comprehensive Israeli victory. Copies of the report were available in English and Hebrew. As is the norm with Knesset meetings, the session was conducted in Hebrew. 

Other participants included Rabbi Leo Dee, who lost his wife and two daughters in the terror attack in the Jordan Valley earlier this year. He urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to cease economic support for the Palestinian Authority. Rabbi Dee criticized the PA for its activities that glorify terrorists who have murdered Israelis, including in the summer camps where they praise the terrorists who murdered his wife and daughters. He spoke out against the reality in which the Palestinian Authority continues to receive funding from Israel and the international community while effectively funding terrorism.