Israel must prepare its Joshua Generation for the post-Netanyahu era - opinion

Shmuel Legesse, an Ethiopian-born Israeli, argues that Israel must prepare a 'Joshua Generation' of leaders for the post-Netanyahu era. He praises Netanyahu's achievements but contends that the era did not cultivate globally respected communicators. Legesse recommends appointing Ethiopian-Israeli professionals to senior diplomatic roles, citing their history as evidence against colonial narratives. He invokes Rabbi Sacks' teaching on Moses preparing Joshua.

In an opinion piece published on August 9, 2026, Shmuel Legesse, an Ethiopian-born Israeli, argues that Israel must prepare a new generation of leaders for the post-Netanyahu era. He acknowledges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's achievements, including economic growth, technological leadership, and the Abraham Accords, but contends that the Netanyahu era did not sufficiently cultivate internationally respected Zionist leaders. Legesse emphasizes the need for 'moral diplomacy' and communicators who can counter the portrayal of Israel as a European colonial project. He specifically recommends that the next government appoint highly qualified Ethiopian-Israeli professionals to strategic diplomatic positions, arguing that their history challenges colonial narratives. The piece invokes Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' teaching that Moses prepared Joshua, and calls for a 'Joshua Generation' of leaders with strategic vision and cultural fluency.