The October Effect

On October 7, the worst single act against the Jewish people since the Holocaust changed Israel forever and sent shockwaves all around the Middle East and the world. Approaching the one-year anniversary of the massacre, the war in Gaza, the campaign against Hezbollah, and more broadly Israel’s existential struggle against the Iranian axis cannot only be treated as a regional conflict, as it swelled into a geostrategic issue. As the Israeli war cabinet is focusing on the day after in Gaza while trying to sequence its struggle against Hezbollah, an increasingly aligned Russian-Iranian-Chinese axis is redefining the security landscape of the region, while the U.S and European support for Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza wavers. This strategic realignment happens against the backdrop of a coordinated lawfare waged against Israel through the hijacking of UN institutions and massive waves of antisemitism sweeping through the West, endangering the Jewish diaspora.

This conference sponsored by Israel Defence and Security Forum and the Budapest-based Danube Institute aims to address the multilayered issues stemming from the war in Gaza and the regional Israeli-Iranian campaign. Structured into three panels, the expert discussion will explore the strategic and operational dilemmas for the Jewish State posed by the creation of a Hamas-free Gaza while preparing for an all-out war with Hezbollah. The geostrategic implications of the emergent Russia-China-Iran axis will be addressed in a separate panel, finally, the conference will wrap up with a deep-dive into the waves of antisemitism engulfing the West.

About Danube Institute: -Danube Logo-

The Danube Institute was established by the Batthyány Lajos Foundation in 2013 in Budapest, with the aim of encouraging the transmission of ideas and people within the countries of Central Europe and between Central Europe, other parts of Europe, and the English-speaking world. The Institute itself has been committed from its foundation to three philosophical loyalties: a respectful conservatism in cultural, religious, and social life, the broad classical liberal tradition in economics, and a realistic Atlanticism in national security policy. These ideals remain our lodestars.

More recently, we have added a fourth commitment: exploring and extending the related concepts of democracy and patriotism. We believe that the nation-state offers the only sure foundation for democracy, and that a tolerant civic nationalism the only basis for a successful democratic internationalism. Nation-states are the building blocks of internationalism. Both are to be distinguished from supra- or trans-nationalism which embody the ambition to transcend them but which have so far failed to match them in democratic accountability. Our methods of developing and transmitting these ideas are research, analysis, publication, debate, and scholarly exchanges. Our primary audience is the universe of centre-right intellectuals, political leaders, and public-spirited citizens. But we will also engage our counterparts on the democratic center-left in vigorous and principled public debate on as many occasions as possible and appropriate. We hope to draw upon the best minds of our day across national boundaries in international forums.

Debate itself is our fifth commitment. It is a vital catalyst in building a democratic society.

In line with these commitments we will:

• establish and support research groups and research projects to interpret and advance current thinking within conservatism and democratic nationalism;
• encourage the exchange of scholars, political leaders, and cultural figures through international conferences and exchange fellowships here in Hungary;
• engage young people interested in science, scholarship, and political ideas and help them to enter and influence wider public debate;
• and in general encourage relevant discussions on matters of importance to Hungary on both a domestic and an international level.

About IDSF-Habithonistim - Israel’s Defense and Security Forum: -IDSF logo-

IDSF-Habithonistim – Israel’s Defense and Security Forum is a group of over 30,000 Israelis lef by reserve officers and commanders from all branches of the Israeli defense establishment, who firmly believe that Israel's security must be anchored in its ability to protect itself, by itself.

The group couples the experience of many leading generals and commanders with its popular support, and combines being a grassroot movement with being a think tank and a leading association.

The group is dedicated to guiding the narrative of Israel’s national security needs and ensuring that Israel’s security in the homeland of the Jewish people is never taken for granted.

The authoritative voices of well-known military veterans, media personalities and national security experts, are key in disseminating our security strategy for the State of Israel.

Our movement welcomes all those who identify with our message and our founding principles, without prejudice to religion, race, gender or rank.

OUR MISSION

We are a Zionist, security-based movement, whose aim is to position Israel's security as the top national priority, in a manner which ensures the sovereignty of the Jewish people in their homeland for generations to come.

TEAM

The movement’s management: Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi (chair and founder), Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Yaron Buskila (VP), Or Yissachar, Assaf Voll, Jessica Barazani, Ortal Ron, Moshe Davis, Elie Pieprz, Keren Balila, Ronit Farkash, Eva Nagar, Tal Nir, Yitshak Lev

The movement’s board of directors: Major General (res.) Gershon Hacohen, Major General (res.) Yitzhak Gerry Gershon, Commissioner (res.) Shlomo Katabi

Among the members of the movement: Major General (res.) Yossi Bachar, Major General (res.) Kamil Abu Rukun, Major General (res.) Yossi Mishlav, A., a former senior officer in the Mossad, M., a former senior officer in the General Security Services, former Commissioner Shlomo Katabi, Brigadier General (res.) Hasson Hasson, Brigadier General (res.) Harel Knafo, Brigadier General (res.) Avigdor Kahalani, Brigadier General (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, Colonel (res.) Tal Braun, Prof. Alexander Bleigh

IDSF | Registered Association 580697472 | idsf.org.il