The Zionist Discourse – Political and Media – and Its Role in Exaggerating the Existential Threat to the Israeli Entity

Abstract

This work examines the issue of "Sources of Existential Threat to Israel and the Role of Political and Media Discourse in Exaggerating the Image of Danger," analyzing the historical and ideological roots of this concept in Israeli political and security thought. The research reviews the sources of threat as presented by the Israeli elite and institutions, whether military (wars with Arab states, the Iranian threat, resistance wars), demographic (Arab population growth), or cyber (cyberattacks). The research analyzes official and media discourse and how the existential perspective is employed in decision-making and foreign policy, comparing this with actual data on Israeli military capabilities, regional balances, and developments in the international environment, including normalization agreements and shifts in the positions of major powers. The research finds that the existential threat is often exaggerated in political discourse to mobilize public opinion and gain international support, despite the fact that Israel enjoys unprecedented military and technological superiority and strategic support in the history of the region. The research concludes that the challenges facing Israel are real but not existential, and that political and media discourse plays a role in exaggerating the situation. It recommends adopting more balanced and realistic approaches to security issues, while strengthening regional dialogue and avoiding escalatory policies that could destabilize the region.