The Nagel Committee is a specialized advisory body in Israel, led by Brigadier General (res.) Yaakov Nagel, tasked with evaluating and recommending strategies for Israel’s defense budget, military capabilities, and long-term security planning. The committee’s focus is to ensure Israel’s readiness to address current and emerging threats while balancing defense needs with economic considerations. The recommendations of the Nagel Committee were presented yesterday (Monday) to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in Jerusalem.
During the meeting, the committee chair, Brigadier General (res.) Yaakov Nagel, highlighted key findings, including the need to shift Israel’s defense strategy from containment and protection to prevention and preparedness. The report stressed building immediate response capabilities, including disproportionate actions when necessary, and readiness for preemptive war and preventive strikes.
The report stated:
“The committee’s conclusions are not a list of numbers but encompass recommendations across a wide range of issues beyond the budget.”
Key Points of the Nagel Committee
1. Human Resources Development: Enhancing the quality of personnel in compulsory, career, and reserve service.
2. Iran as the Central Threat: Most defense preparations and military buildup should focus on countering Iran. Key areas include offensive capabilities for distant threats, air defense, border protection, adaptation to evolving military needs, subterranean defense readiness, and advancing Israel’s self-sufficiency in arms production.
3. Strategic Shift: Transitioning from a strategy of “containment” to “prevention” while ensuring immediate and even disproportionate responses to threats. This includes preparedness for preemptive war and preventive strikes.
4. Budgetary Proposals: Recommendations for a balanced defense budget, starting in 2025, that meets security needs while aligning with Israel’s economic capabilities.
Central Insights: “Israel Must Defend Itself”
The committee emphasized:
1. Self-Reliance: Israel must always be prepared to defend itself, by itself, under any circumstances.
2. Qualitative Edge: Israel’s security will always depend on maintaining a qualitative edge, particularly in human resources, combat spirit, advanced strategies, and technological superiority.
3. Military Buildup: Most conflicts are determined during the military buildup phase, making it imperative to invest heavily in preparation and readiness.
Prime Minister’s Remarks
Upon receiving the report, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated:
“We have known for years that Iran is the greatest threat to us, both directly and through its proxies. We have dealt significant blows to this axis, but it remains active, and additional forces are entering the arena. We must always be prepared for what comes next.”
Netanyahu praised the committee’s work: “Your work prepares us for the future—near threats, distant threats, and everything in between. This includes armament questions, Israel’s self-reliance in weapons production, subterranean threats, and many other issues outlined in the report. We will study it and bring it to decision-making.”
Committee’s Scope and Methodology
The committee began its work in early August with the goal of recommending strategic directions for Israel’s military buildup over the next decade, including the defense budget and its economic implications. The committee reviewed the needs of the defense establishment alongside priorities from the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Israel. It held dozens of in-depth discussions with officials from the Budget Department, the Accountant General’s Office, Bank of Israel, and the Defense Ministry.
