As Israel celebrates its 74^th birthday, we take pride in the remarkable success story of the IDF, which secured Israel’s independence and continues to guarantee its survival today. But the military is changing rapidly: in today’s "Startup Nation," cyber warriors are fast replacing foot soldiers on the front lines of the modern battlefield. At the same time, Israeli society is changing in ways that threaten the IDF’s future ability to protect the country. Alarmingly, less than half of Israeli 18-year-olds currently serve in the "people’s army," and the current model of service is clearly unsustainable. Yet what can replace it?

Join IDI experts for a fascinating discussion on the changing relationship between the army and society in Israel and their implications for Israel’s security and its democracy.

Speakers:

Prof. Amichai Cohen
Senior Fellow, The Amnon Lipkin-Shahak Program on National Security and Democracy

Yohanan Plesner
President, Israel Democracy Institute

Moderator: 

Dr. Idit Shafran Gittleman
Director, Military and Society Program