President Reuven Rivlin received the Israel Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) 's annual strategic assessment of Israel for the year 2019 from the head of the Institute, Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin.
"The public discourse in Israel is characterized by preoccupation with the now. We are no worse in this than other developed and advanced countries," said the president at the outset.
"It is superfluous to note that during the election campaign, the competition for public attention and the here and now, is becoming a real arms race, in light of which the annual assessment of the Institute for National Security Studies is unique. It has a forward-looking outlook, a view that tries to draw from the future the nature of the actions required today. Our military and political strength is unprecedented, we must use it to ensure our interests tomorrow, the annual assessment and the policy recommendations within it, together constitute a sober document that does not hesitate to criticize our decisions, actions, and omissions. At the same time, this assessment presents a genuine concern for Israel's future and security, which is why the assessment is an example of patriotism and civic courage of the first order, "the president said.