This dissertation is aimed at analyzing counterterrorism strategy of Israel. The analytical framework constructed consists of Israel’s cognition of terrorism and counterterrorism, objective of counterterrorism strategy, counterterrorism mechanism established, counterterrorism measures and activities in Israel and abroad, assessment of the strategic effect and enlightenment gained.Israel’s cognition of terrorism and counterterrorism is foundation on which Israel sets out and carries out counterterrorism strategy and policies. The definitions, which only emphasize violence that in fact, is one of the natures of terrorism, of the concepts relevant to terrorism in the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance issued in 1948 are the starting point of Israel’s cognition about counterterrorism. According to the definitions, Israel identifies objects of counterterrorism, sets up cognition about ranking of threats posed by terrorism in the national strategy of security and about corresponding measures of counterterrorism. In different times, the objects of counterterrorism are different: mainly Palestinian Liberation Organization(PLO) and its principal political factions from 1948 through 1980s; and some radical organizations, such as Hezbollah, Hamas since 1990 s. Because from 1948 to early of 1980 s, Israel and Arabian countries has fought five times, affairs of traditional security about state existence were at the predominant rank in the national strategy of security of Israel up to 1990 s, and counterterrorism was at the subordinate position. Israel has gradually put counterterrorism at the top of the national strategy of security along with the peace progress since its existence was guaranteed. The definition of concepts stressing violence has cast long shadow on the cognition system, which contains the perception of counterterrorism as war, and correspondingly, military measures for counterterrorism. Israel believes the counterterrorism measures that it had taken are legitimate, such as military action, target killing, closing the border, etc. The perception is origin of extensification of counterterrorism objects and counterterrorism scale.Based on the cognition, especially the cognition about different ranking of counterterrorism in the national strategy of security in different times, Israel set up respectively strategic objectives of counterterrorism in two periods. When counterterrorism was at the subordinate position, the objectives of counterterrorism-to strike the main terrorism organizations identified, and to make them not to threaten national existence-were also subordinate to the objective of national traditional security. In 1990 s, when counterterrorism was up to the predominant position of national strategy of security, the objectives were not only to strike the main terrorism organizations, to safeguard nation and citizen, but also to maintain Israel’s initiative in the Palestinian-Israeli peace progress and to strike the hostile countries in local region.In order to achieve the counterterrorism objectives, Israel has established complete counterterrorism mechanism in the long time of counterterrorism practice that consists of institutions of decision-making, intelligence and execution. These institutions are clearly assigned with each tasks, and overall coordinated by the top leaders, making the mechanism a combination of professionalization and integration. The decision-making institution comprises mainly the safe cabinet and the committee of diplomacy and military. The former, also called the minister committee of national affairs of security, is the principal agency for decision-making; the latter is the supervising and approving authority for counterterrorism decision-making. Israel’s intelligence community is composed of many institutions assigned with each tasks: Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, i.e. Mossad, mainly responsible for all kinds of overseas secret operations; the Directorate of Military Intelligence of IDF’s General Staff, i.e. Aman, responsible for collecting and analyzing overseas military intelligence; the Israel Security Agency, i.e. Shin Bet, mainly responsible for internal security service and counter-espionage. The execution institutions mainly comprise Israel Defense Forces, reserve forces, police, etc., engaging directly into counterterrorism operations. For purpose of coordinating diverse institutions, Israel has, in particular, set up counterterrorism division of national security committee. Various measures conducive effectively to achieve the counterterrorism objectives are adopted in the aspects of intelligence, military, economy, law, culture, education, internet, etc. under the counterterrorism mechanism consisting of institutions of decision-making, intelligence and execution and coordination among them. However, in an overall view, Israel is inclined to adopt military measures for counterterrorism, such as military operations, target killing, building missile defense system, closing the borders, etc.Israel conducts initiatively international cooperation for counterterrorism, in the meantime of taking advantage of domestic resource. At the United Nations and other international occasions, Israel explains publicly the risks posed by the terrorism that it has suffered. Israel makes use of the cooperation opportunities in the international society, simultaneously, violates the UN resolutions and norms of international laws frenquently. The cooperation with USA is the foundation of Israel’s international counterterrorism, because it has received all-around support from USA in aspects of politics, economy, military, etc. In addition, Israel cooperates with the moderate nations in local region, and with India, Turkey, etc., builds elaborately an international network for counterterrorism cooperation.The characteristics of Israel’s counterterrorism strategy are as follows: preemptive principle, effective coordination of organization, operation attaching importance to technique, etc. These characteristics are conducive for Israel to achieve its counterterrorism objectives. However, its shortcomings are also obvious: its inclination to adopt military measures harms Israel’s international image; its counterterrorism measures does not uproot the sources of terrorism, which makes ongoing terrorism attacks. Fundamentally speaking, this situation stems from the predicaments of Israel’s strategy of counterterrorism: extensification of its counterterrorism scale and contradictoriness of its counterterrorism strategy. This means Israel will continue to suffer the threats from terrorism in a rather long future.The remarkable enlightenments of Israel’s success and failure of counterterrorism strategy are as follows. It is necessary to objectively and accurately perceive the terrorism and counterterrorism, and to make proper objectives; to establish counterterrorism mechanism with clear task-assignment and overall coordination; to synthetically adopt various counterterrorism measures eliminating both capacity and motivation of terrorism organizations and their members to conduct terrorism attacks; to positively take part into international cooperation for counterterrorism in a variety of aspects. |