Lapid: Israel's foreign relations 'disaster,' must be considered integral part of national security

Opposition leader Yair Lapid presented a six-point plan at the B'Yachad National Security Conference in Tel Aviv to rebuild Israel's foreign relations, asserting that the country's international standing is in a "disaster zone" due to government "negligence, arrogance, and amateurism." He emphasized that foreign policy is integral to national security and can enhance access to weapons, intelligence, and markets. Lapid stated, "The positive part is that this means that things can be fixed," suggesting that damage is reversible with proper management.

• He proposed rebuilding relations with the US by restoring bipartisan support and negotiating a new security memorandum, alongside a separate scientific and technological agreement.
• Lapid called for repairing ties with Europe, deepening NATO cooperation, and engaging directly with critical publics, while maintaining diplomatic presence even in difficult capitals, stating, "We don't run away from a fight."
• He advocated for mending relations with Diaspora Jewry, integrating Israel more deeply into the Middle East, and establishing a common regional approach against Iran, while opposing uranium enrichment in Saudi Arabia.
• The plan also included closer integration of economic and foreign policy, and a complete overhaul of public diplomacy, with a focus on younger audiences and social media, noting, "Good public diplomacy cannot rescue bad policy."