Page 48 - INSS | 2019-2020

REUTERS / Nir Elias

Blue and White and Likud posters. The ongoing political crisis exposed a host of weaknesses in Israeli society and its various political frameworks.

The Media Discourse

Significant changes are also highly evident in the media sphere. One example is the increasing number of media outlets
and journalists identified with the conservative/right wing/religious stream, which contributes to the diversification
of the discourse and provides a platform for populations whose voices were heard less in public in the past. At the
same time, the media discourse, especially during the ongoing election periods, has become more extreme, thus
exacerbating divisions in Israeli society.

In the security domain, the majority of the media has continued to toe the establishment line, rarely expressed
alternative approaches, and generally contributed to the sense of unity within the Jewish society. This is mostly
apparent during military crises. Overall, the media speaks within the boundaries of national consensus, strengthening
national conceptions that are commonly voiced on the political right, representing the mood of “the entire world is
against us,” “we will always live by the sword,” “we can rely only on ourselves,” and the like. Looking ahead, in the
case of a widespread military conflict, it will be necessary to find a balance in the media between diversification of
voices without blurring the differences of approach in society on the one hand and refraining from exacerbating
divisions on the other.

The Economic Context

Israel of 2019 is flourishing relative to the developed countries. Production is growing, unemployment is at a low
point, the credit rating is at an all-time high, net exports have been positive for many years, and inflation is low.

46 STRATEGIC SURVEY FOR ISRAEL