ABSTRACT

This chapter explores what promises to be a critical turning point in Israeli public discourse on national security. Today’s integration of and extensive reference to psychological concepts such as “trauma” and “resilience” mark a significant departure from the disregard and stigmatization of mental health-related difficulties during the country’s formative years. This development represents an innovative means of both conceptualizing and coping with existential threats stemming from the violent, seemingly unending political conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Furthermore, it indicates ways for dealing more effectively with threat situations in general.