Uzi Dayan Discusses Land Purchases and Security Challenges for Israel
Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, the former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and ex-head of the National Security Council, is spearheading efforts to purchase land in the Jordan Valley from Jordanian princes. This initiative aims to bolster Israel's presence along its eastern border, which Dayan considers crucial for national security. During an interview at a Machon Lev conference, he highlighted the significance of establishing outposts and communities in strategic areas as a means of maintaining territorial control.
"Homesteads are a good and effective way to hold onto land. Settlement has evolved from merely agricultural use to a strategic tool for territorial control," Dayan stated. He pointed out that many outposts are not privately owned and emphasized the need for security in smaller locations.
Dayan underscored the Jordan Valley as a priority area, noting its underpopulation and lack of tourism infrastructure. He mentioned plans to establish a haredi Hesder yeshiva in one of the locations where land is being acquired.
Addressing current security challenges, particularly with Lebanon, Dayan warned of escalating tensions. He predicted a challenging summer, stating, "In Lebanon, we are expected to have a hot summer in all the areas where we are holding ground, and a cold summer in Washington." He expressed confidence in Israel's military capabilities, asserting that the nation would defend itself even without American support in critical situations involving Iran.
Dayan acknowledged that while Israel has succeeded in weakening the Iranian regime, it has not yet replaced it. He criticized U.S. policy, suggesting that American reluctance to engage militarily has allowed Iran to remain a threat. "If we need to deal with the ballistic missile or nuclear project, we will take care of our security. We will have to fight as long as necessary," he said, reflecting on the lessons learned from past conflicts.
He concluded by placing Israel's current political climate in a historical context, lamenting the shift from unity in the face of external threats to internal divisions. "In the past, political disagreements existed, but people sought votes by saying: ‘An enemy is at the gates - we need to unite.’ Today, everything becomes an enemy from within," Dayan remarked, highlighting the challenges facing Israeli society today.
