I often read articles, email forwards, and blog posts which seek to defend Israel’s right to exist by evoking the history of the Jewish people, its high moral and ethical standards, its choice to fight only in self defense, or its many remarkable contributions to the betterment of the world. While I agree that Israel has accomplished great things in its 62 years of existence, and still can accomplish many more (MANY more), I think these attempts to justify Israel’s existence by extolling its virtues miss the mark.
Here are some reasons often given for why people should love Israel, be proud of Israel, leave Israel alone, or otherwise come to grips with the fact that Israel exists (in no particular order):
1. The Jews are a small minority in the world and yet furthered the progress of civilization by introducing monotheism, the Marx Brothers, and the Pentium to the world.
2. Jews have suffered discrimination, ghettoization, imprisonment, and murder at the hands of non-Jews for thousands of years.
3. Israelis have invented lots of cool, fun, life-saving stuff that the world enjoys.
4. Jews in general and Israelis in particular have garnered more Nobels (given their tiny representation in the world’s population) than the goyim.
5. Israelis help other countries after natural disasters, sending planes with tent hospitals, specialists, equipment, machines, and medical supplies, regardless of how the affected country treats us at the UN.
6. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East.
7. Jews returned to the land of their forefathers, purchased land legally, were discriminated against by the British colonial government here which gave the Arabs a free hand to murder Jews whenever they felt like it, and in the end had to fight not only to make good the promises the British had made them and broken, but for their very lives.
8. Jews were killed by the millions in the Shoah while the world watched and (for the most part) did bupkes to stop the killing.
9. Israel has many shared political, cultural, and economic interests with the US and the West.
10. Israel has the most moral army in the world, a free press, and an activist liberal court system which collectively are completely unabashed about investigating and trying real war criminals.
These are NOT reasons why Israel should be loved or respected in the world, or why the world should recognize Israel’s existence. These are reasons Israelis and Diaspora Jews have to be proud of Israel, but they are not necessarily shared by anyone outside that small population group. Nor should they be.
So why should other countries stop spending all their condemnation sessions at the UN beating up on Israel? Why are the standards by which Israel is judged by the rest of the world completely whacked? And why does Israel deserve to exist at all?
Because Israel IS. That’s it. Nations are not made by consensus, and if a nation does things that other nations don’t like, there is no discussion of abolishing the offending nation. There is criticism, there is disapproval, there is sometimes even war (when there is no other option). But a nation is 
not made by LL Bean, and cannot be returned via parcel post for any reason, or no reason at all. South Africa with its apartheid policies was criticized, boycotted, and divested from, but in the end it solved its own problems without outside intervention, without being wiped off the map. Pakistan, with its surreptitious nuclear tests, saber-rattling against India, and now concerns of involvement with worldwide Islamic fundamentalist terrorism, has not received any threats to its existence. And China, with an appalling human rights record on multiple levels (Tiananmen Square massacre, trafficking in organs harvested from prisoners, annexation of Tibet) has not only not been liquidated; the nations of the world are either tiptoeing around it politically, or falling all over themselves to trade with it.
The mayor of Efrat, Oded Ravivi (one of the few politicians for whom my vote has not been the Kiss of Death), made a short speech at a demonstration in Gush Etzion a few weeks ago against Obama’s harsh treatment of Israel, and the resulting encouragement it has given local Arabs to begin stoning Jews again. Oded spoke briefly and to the point. He said that all nations act in their interests. Obama believes his policies, so counterproductive for peace and dangerous for Israelis, are in America’s interests. Israel, too, is a nation with its own interests. And like all nations, it is Israel’s obligation to act in its own interests, whatever they may be.
But America and Israel are such great friends, many would argue. There’s”no light between” as some have said. But perhaps Charles DeGaulle had it right when he said, “No nation has friends; only interests.”
And no nation should be threatened with extinction for acting like a nation.
(Happy 62nd Birthday, Medinat Yisrael!)
Shimshonit 
Great post but then I didn’t need to be convinced!
I guess that if Israel was as big as China, i.e. with so many potential customers, many nations would be more cautious in their criticisms.
Concerning what the mayor of Efrat said, I suppose he has a point but on the other hand even friends can be critical. I suppose, however, that they have to be careful in the way they express their concerns.
Concerning Obama himself I’d say that international politics isn’t his forte, to say the least.
I’m not arguing against any of these facts because they are FACTS. But these facts arn’t good reasons for destroying Palestine and their people. First of all-
Israel has the most moral army in the world, a free press, and an activist liberal court system which collectively are completely unabashed about investigating and trying real war criminals.- This is because of the united states and their continuous funding to Israel.
Jews have suffered discrimination, ghettoization, imprisonment, and murder at the hands of non-Jews for thousands of years.- This fact is true but that gives no right for Israel to act the same way if not in a more barbaric way towards the Palestinians. And no it is not self defense.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East.- Israel is not the only democracy in the Middle East. Lebanon has one. And why has democracy become such an amazing thing? Look at the country of Jordan, they are a theocracy and they are doing great.
Samantha: The Palestinians have destroyed themselves by refusing offers of land for a state, by refusing to make peace with Israel, and by fighting a terror war that has not stopped EVER instead of building themselves up. Since Arabs from Syria, Jordan, and Egypt flooded British Mandatory Palestine to get in on the economic action (i.e. find work resulting from Jewish immigration), they have got it into their heads that they want this land–all of it, and free of Jews. They’ve been pawns of other Middle Eastern Arab regimes who refused to absorb them in 1948 and use the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict to deflect attention from their own mischief and failures. Who’s destroying whom? (Or trying to?)
America gives Israel monetary grants which then have to be spent on American arms. This has helped Israel, no doubt–as long as Israel uses the arms for what America thinks is in America’s interests. And the American Jewish community’s support helps fund other institutions like hospitals, charities, and Magen David Adom. But American money isn’t the reason Israel has the character it has; that’s because the Israelis have chosen to make their character thus. American money is also funneled to the Palestinian Authority, which has widespread corruption and graft, a terrorist army, no free press, and summary executions. American funding does not a moral government make.
How is Israel more barbaric than the Arabs? When they fire daily mortars and missiles into southern Israel, terrorizing old people, adults, and children for eight years, and Israel waits 8 years to respond? Would whatever country you’re living in tolerate daily mortar fire across your borders and do nothing? (I think in this case Israel was not barbaric enough.) If that’s not self defense, then what is it? Do you believe that Israel deserves to live under constant attack? If so, you’ve got a funny idea of barbarism.
Lebanon, yes. A democracy where the country’s been overrun by Syria and Hizbullah, client state and organization of Iran. Where there is no free speech, no civil rights, no free press, and no independent court system. Ask the Lebanese if they live in a democracy. You might be surprised by their answer.
I never said a democracy was the only way to live. (I fear you’ve misunderstood my entire post.) Jordan is not a theocracy; it is a monarchy, where the royal family are Hashemites (Beduin) placed at the top by the British to rule over the Arab population, including 40% Palestinians. There is little popular support for the peace with Israel, and at least when I was there 14 years ago, Saddam Hussein was more popular than King Hussein.
I agree with most of what you have said but..
*How is Israel more barbaric than the Arabs? When they fire daily mortars and missiles into southern Israel, terrorizing old people, adults, and children for eight years, and Israel waits 8 years to respond? Would whatever country you’re living in tolerate daily mortar fire across your borders and do nothing? (I think in this case Israel was not barbaric enough.) If that’s not self defense, then what is it? Do you believe that Israel deserves to live under constant attack? If so, you’ve got a funny idea of barbarism.*
This statement right here has been commonly said by many people.
Israel came and bombarded into the homes of the Palestinians and they did not want peace with them. They wanted the whole land to themselves without the Palestinians. It is only natural when you squich a large population of human beings into one little area without running water, freedom, real medicine, or food that they will fire some missiles. This is self defense. Plus the amount of deaths of an Israeli compared to the Palestinians is huge. Many Palestinians die, much more then the Israelis. Since the Jews enjoy bringing up the idea of the holocaust so much why don’t we see the similarities between what happened to the Jews and what happened to the Palestinians? I can send you images of how similar the two situations are.
In addition, it is important to approach both sides of the debate in this situation.
It may seem like Israel is on defending it’s country but you should see what its like on the other side of the picture.
And one last point, if you are getting your information based on the media shown in the United States then I’m afraid you have seen nothing yet. Come see the real horrific views and facts posted on the other side of the world, maybe just maybe, that will change your view on this big conflict.
And just one additional fact. Israel has broken many human rights law, is that not barbaric?
Or have these laws become just stickers put on fancy looking documents?
Samantha:
Israel came and bombarded into the homes of the Palestinians and they did not want peace with them.
How do you know? Has Israel not made generous offers of land and division of Jerusalem to the Arabs, and have the Arabs not been the ones to refuse (because it’s THEIR leadership that has no interest in peace)?
They wanted the whole land to themselves without the Palestinians.
Was there a news blackout where you live in 2005 when Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza and uprooted thousands of its own citizens to give the Arabs judenrein land for a state? I think it’s the Arabs who want the whole thing without the Jews.
Many Palestinians die, much more then the Israelis. Since the Jews enjoy bringing up the idea of the holocaust so much why don’t we see the similarities between what happened to the Jews and what happened to the Palestinians?
Yeah. And many more Germans died in World War II than Allies. Does that make their cause more just? Arabs and their friends love to call what happens here a Holocaust; you cannot possibly provide me images to match those from Auschwitz, because they’re not remotely similar.
In addition, it is important to approach both sides of the debate in this situation. It may seem like Israel is on defending it’s country but you should see what its like on the other side of the picture.
I live in the West Bank. I LIVE on the other side of the picture. And no, my information does not come from the American media. I agree, it’s woefully biased and incomplete.
Firstly, Give me your email, and i will send you the pictures.
Secondly, i would know what happened firsthand because a matter of fact my friend’s grandparents have been bombarded by them. Not only is it from her grandparents that i would know but because when i visit i have to see the destruction the Israeli’s have caused.
Israel has not been generous in giving them the smallest piece of land that they took from the Palestinians that were there in the first place. If you tell me, “Well it is their promised land” you have obviously not been studying religion and history enough. This promised land is not only the country of Palestine. It stretches all the way to Iraq, being the fertile crescent. And to add to that this promised land is not only for the Jews, it also belongs to all the religions of the holy book; Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
In addition, why is it that you chose to ignore the comment about human rights? Is it because they are breaking these rights and you can’t admit it? Human rights are supposed to be a powerful set of international laws and they have been broken many times by the Israelis.
A few examples:
-The entire 1.5 million people who live in the crowded Gaza Strip are being punished for the actions of a few militants.
-The air strikes were aimed at civilian areas in one of the most crowded stretches of land in the world, certainly the most densely populated area of the Middle East.
These here are war crimes.
In addition, there are 149 substantive articles of the Fourth Geneva Convention that protect the rights of every one of the Palestinians living in occupied Palestine. The Israeli Government is currently violating, and has since 1967 been violating, almost each and every one of these sacred rights of the Palestinian People recognized by the Fourth Geneva Convention. Indeed, violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention are war crimes.
Also, Israel puts 100% of the blame for not having courses about peace on the Palestinian Authority (PA); going so far as to launch a campaign against the PA in order to sway International public opinion in Israel’s favor. The campaign included some documentaries and videos that quoted some individuals in the PA who said peace is not attainable until full rights are given to Palestinians.
The accusation was that the Palestinians were 100% responsible for the failure. However, Israel didn’t show any credible and honest interest in peace.
If Israel really wants peace with Palestinians, then it has to do this by actions, not mere rhetoric and propaganda.
Peace will never be achieved based on the idea of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians or the idea of transferring them to Arab countries. Peace and love will only be achieved when Israel gives Palestinians their freedom, full rights and dignity.
Samantha: I’m sorry for whatever poor conditions your friend’s family live in. I would like for Israel to be of greater help to the Arabs, and for them to accept Israel’s help. But there has to be a cessation of violence first, and neither Hamas (for whom your friend’s grandparents may have voted in the 2006 elections) nor Fatah have put aside their goals to destroy Israel. If someone had a publicly stated goal to destroy you, would you deserve criticism for not helping them? Gaza receives millions of dollars in aid from the rest of the world. If they need help setting up infrastructure and a power grid, there isn’t a developed nation in the world who would refuse to assist them. But the reason Israel supplies the services and utilities it does (despite being Gaza’s hated enemy) is because Hamas does not, and Israel is at heart a humanitarian state.
From the way you write, it seems you believe that there was a sovereign Palestinian State here before Israel came into existence. I’m sorry to have to disabuse you of that fact, but there was no Arab Palestinian nation here before 1948. And the Arabs who were here have no greater claim on the land than the Jews who came here and legally purchased land from the Ottoman landowners. I do not believe that God’s promise of this land (and I am content to go by the promise to Moses rather than that to Abraham) is the only claim Jews have to this land. But since you bring it up, I would point out that the Bible, which records that promise, came into existence long before Christianity and Islam were ever invented. The Bible does not mention either of those two religions, and as a Jew, I consider them not included in God’s promise of this land. However, I will remind you that under Jewish rule, people of all religions have full access to holy sites in the country, something which was not available when Muslims ruled here.
I chose to ignore your comment about human rights because it’s a throwaway comment, a simple repetition of the kind of blather one hears endlessly repeated in the press. Your examples of war crimes are poor examples and represent a bizarre reading of the facts on the ground here. Hamas is the democratically elected government of Gaza. (Dissatisfied with a simple majority, it launched a bloody coup against Fatah, killing members of the minority government. Human rights, anyone?) Israel is only in violation of the Geneva Convention if it is occupying a formerly sovereign nation. It is not. I am uninterested in anything the PA has to say until they demonstrate that they are willing to live peaceably alongside the Jewish State. Arabs could have created a nation for themselves with “freedom, full rights, and dignity” many times in the last two decades simply by saying “yes” to the offers of land and sovereignty offered by Israel. By saying “no,” I would argue that it is THEY who do not want peace.
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