Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent NJN's views and policy positions.

Israel’s Security at the Turn of 2026 – An Assessment

Q. Was 2025 a good year for Israeli security? Will 2026 be?

A. The year coming to an end did witness strong military achievements against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Progress was registered toward stabilizing Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria along Israel’s borders. The hostages held by Hamas were returned. The nuclear threat posed by Iran was radically reduced.

If we set aside the internal damage being inflicted constantly to Israel’s health as a Jewish and democratic society (see 2026, below), it sounds like 2025 was, on balance, a good year for Israel’s overall security.

Q. Indeed, what are Israel’s security prospects looking toward 2026, particularly regarding societal resilience?

A. They are dim. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, in the course of 2025, replaced every single security official who shared responsibility for the debacle of October 7, 2023–except himself. There is still no national commission of inquiry to examine the roots of that disaster. This raises the prospect of a repeat performance in 2026, in the West Bank, for example.

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1. Bills & Resolutions

(TARGETING DUAL CITIZENSHIP) HR 6486: Introduced 12/5/25 by Hamadeh (R-AZ), “To require the Bureau of the Census to collect information on dual citizenship status through the decennial census.” Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Also see: press release – Congressman Hamadeh Bill Requires Dual U.S. Citizenship Question on Census

(CAMPUS FREE SPEECH) HR 6663 [bill text]: Introduced 12/11/25 by Murphy (R-NC) and no cosponsors, the “Campus Free Speech Restoration Act.” Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. NOTE: The clear intent behind this bill is to protect/promote the rights of students who hold right-wing/conservative views; that said, as-written the bill applies equally to any disfavored speech being targeted on campus, including Palestine-related speech). Also see: press release – Murphy Introduces Legislation to Protect Campus Free Speech

(CAMPUS FREE SPEECH) H. Res. 947 [resolution text]: Introduced 12/11/25 by Murphy (R-NC) and no cosponsors, “Expressing that compelled political litmus tests used by public institutions to require individuals to identify with specific ideological views are directly at odds with the principles of academic freedom and free speech and in violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.“ Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Also see: press release – Murphy Introduces Legislation to Protect Campus Free Speech

(SANCTIONING THE HOUTHIS) S. 3451: Introduced 12/11/25 by Rosen (D-NV) and McCormick (R-PA), “A bill to authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Houthis, and for other purposes.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Rosen, McCormick push for new sanctions on the Houthis over human rights violations (Jewish Insider 12/12/25)