The global war to delegitimize Israel: The war for which Israel built no shelters – opinion

The article argues that Israel faces a significant, under-addressed national security threat: a global campaign to delegitimize the state, dubbed the "Eighth Front." This campaign, which predates October 7, utilizes narratives, disinformation, lawfare, and media manipulation, disseminated through various channels including governments, international institutions, and social media. Unlike conventional military threats, for which Israel has developed advanced defenses, there are "no shelters for these attacks." The author emphasizes that this erosion of legitimacy, supported by actors like Qatar, Iran, Russia, and China, impacts diplomatic alliances, military assistance, and international policy. Recent polling indicates a decline in support for Israel in Western democracies, particularly among younger generations. The article calls for Israel to treat this as a national security issue, not merely a public relations challenge, and to develop a coordinated national framework for "cognitive defense" involving government, academia, civil society, and technology experts, similar to its military coordination.