War, Perception, and the Future: How Israelis and the World See Conflict - USNWC Briefing

Miri opens with personal insights on her Israeli-American identity and military background, then delves into the 2014 Gaza conflict (Operation Protective Edge), focusing on how its meaning differs dramatically among three groups: Israelis, the international community, and Palestinians. For Israelis, she explains, the conflict is framed as purely defensive—reacting to Hamas aggression, rocket attacks, sea infiltrations, and especially the threat posed by cross-border tunnels. She emphasizes the psychological impact and strategic consequences of these threats, highlighting the vital role of Israeli consensus and resilience, as well as the importance of technologies like Iron Dome.