Israeli Author Warns: Israel May Not Survive Until 2048
Israeli writer Dan Perry, in an article published in the Hebrew newspaper Ma’ariv, warned that Israel may not survive until 2048, amid what he described as escalating existential threats both domestically and internationally. He called for the formation of an urgent “salvation government” to implement radical reforms that would realign the state’s political, economic, and security priorities.
Perry, former head of the Associated Press office in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, stated that Benjamin Netanyahu’s victory in the upcoming elections would steer Israel toward a “catastrophe” whose severity cannot be overstated. Conversely, if the opposition were to win, the country would face a state suffering from shock, institutional weakness, and international isolation that now threatens its very existence.
He pointed out that Tel Aviv’s standing in the United States and Europe has deteriorated significantly, warning that the continuation of wars and occupation would fuel this isolation, which would in turn negatively impact the economy and security. He added that an isolated Israel could become a “poor Israel,” with a society and military resembling those of the Third World, thereby making it more vulnerable to danger.
The writer argued that domestic and external conditions have become interlinked in a vicious cycle: occupation and wars reinforce isolation, isolation harms the economy and security, and political and financial imbalances further weaken the state. Perry criticized the Netanyahu government’s performance, asserting that it failed to translate military strength into political achievements. He noted that years of squandered political opportunities have contributed to Israel’s growing isolation and diminished security. He urged the next government to break this cycle and convert military superiority into political gains.
He also warned that internal divisions have weakened state institutions and their capacity for resilience, calling for the strengthening of democracy, judicial independence, and oversight bodies, alongside a government-led investigation into the failures of October 7.
On the Palestinian file, Perry called for accepting and implementing in good faith U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan regarding Gaza, ending what he described as “Jewish terrorism” in the West Bank, and freezing settlement expansion beyond the security barrier. He emphasized that settlement expansion and violence by Jewish extremists would undermine prospects for a settlement and further isolate Israel. He stressed the necessity of preserving the possibility of a future political settlement, which he considered an essential component of saving the state and securing its future.
