On June 10, 2025, the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, passed the National Security Strategy Law, 5775-2025. (NSS Law.)
Under the NSS Law, when a new government is established, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) must formulate “the state’s political-security strategy proposal to advance Israel’s political and security interests in order to strengthen the national resilience of the State of Israel.” (§ 1.)
The NSC coordinates, designs, and plans Israel’s national security policy based on powers granted by the National Security Council Law, 5768-2008. The NSC follows the prime minister’s instructions.
Background
The explanatory notes of the NSS bill describe the need for a national security strategy:
Since its establishment, the State of Israel has faced challenges that threaten its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security of its citizens and residents. Preparedness and readiness are required for the political and security challenges and opportunities confronting the State of Israel, as well as coordination between security agencies and government ministries, while formulating a broad and long-term vision, [utilizing] flexibility in building and deploying forces, and periodically critically examining the underlying assumptions guiding decision-makers.
Contrary to common practice around the world, no national security strategy document has been established in Israel to date that allows for such preparedness and readiness, and the question of its necessity has not been discussed. The strategy document serves as a compass for defining objectives to prevent political and security bodies from acting toward a goal for which they have not prepared. The purpose of the document is to assist in forming work plans for these bodies, focus their activities in light of government priorities, and create coordination among them.
Scope of Strategy
The political‑security strategy proposal is required to set out the core assumptions about the political and security challenges and opportunities facing the State of Israel. It must describe and rank the relevant threats and challenges, outline the means for addressing them, and present any available alternatives. The proposal must articulate the political and security objectives necessary to safeguard Israel’s existence, strength, and security; map political‑security threats from both annual and multi‑year perspectives; and analyze the domestic, regional, and cyber arenas. It must also include any additional information needed to formulate and implement the political‑security strategy. (§ 2.)
Planning Procedures
While preparing the strategy proposal, the NSC must consult with the Ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs, National Security, and others as determined by the NSC head. The strategy proposal must include any alternatives to components of the proposal suggested by any of the consulted bodies, together with the NSC’s reasons for recommending for the favored alternative.
Approval Requirements
The government, or the Ministerial Committee for National Security Affairs, if authorized by the government, must approve the strategy proposal within five months after a new government is formed, with the possibility of making changes to the proposal. The approved strategy must be presented to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee within 14 days of its approval. The prime minister or the NSC head must present the political-security strategy to the Knesset committee in a session dedicated to this matter.
The NSS Law states that the political-security strategy is confidential, and its publication is prohibited. However, a summary of the strategy must be published in the official gazette and on the government’s website soon after its presentation to the Knesset committee.
Prepared by Ruth Levush, Law Library of Congress
December 31, 2025
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