The Samson Option refers to Israel’s deterrence strategy of massive retaliation with nuclear weapons as a “last resort” against a country whose military has invaded and/or destroyed much of Israel. This concept was coined by Israeli leaders in the 1960s, and it is based on the biblical story of Samson, who pushed apart the pillars of a Philistine temple, bringing down the roof and killing himself and thousands of Philistines.
The Samson Option is often described as a nuclear strategy where Israel would launch a massive nuclear retaliatory strike if the state itself was being overrun. This strategy is meant to deter potential aggressors from attacking Israel, as the consequences of such an attack would be catastrophic.
The concept of the Samson Option has been employed in various contexts, including in discussions about Israel’s nuclear arsenal and its relationship with the United States. Some commentators have also used the term to refer to situations where non-nuclear, non-Israeli actors have threatened conventional weapons retaliation.
In addition to its military significance, the Samson Option has also been used as a metaphor for the idea of a “last resort” or a “doomsday scenario” where a country or entity would resort to extreme measures to protect itself.