Israel at 75

 Israel at 75

By Rabbi Boaz D. Heilman

April 21, 2023

As the State of Israel is set to celebrate its 75th Independence Day, it still faces existential threats. In fact, Israel is the only country in the world that faces such threats, as well as frequent acts of violence and terrorism. Ironically, and not by coincidence, it’s also the only Jewish state in the world.

While by and large international support for Israel remains strong, false narratives that undermine its existence have become more strident in recent years, once again paralleling—and once again not by coincidence—the rise in anti-Semitism all over the world.

The constant repetition of these narratives in the social media and as part of almost every political discussion have not failed to leave a mark on American Jews. A few years ago, a fifth grader in a class I was teaching walked in and declared without the least amount of doubt in his voice, that in creating the State of Israel the Jews simply marched in and kicked out the Arabs who were already there. While that child could possibly be excused from not knowing his history, what his words reflected was what he learned at school and probably heard at home as well. Gone were the comprehension, excitement and even religious fervor of a previous generation of Jews—those who survived the Holocaust or witnessed its horrors from afar, those who saw the numbers tattooed on their arms and intrinsically understood in their hearts and souls what Israel’s existence meant.

Now however a new generation has arisen that takes for granted Israel’s existence without understanding either the historical context that led up to its creation or the deep and lasting effect it has had both on the Jewish People and on the world as a whole.  

Israel’s high-tech contributions outpace those of just about every other country in the world. Israel leads the world in biomedical technology and collaborates closely with other countries in extending life expectancy and improving the quality of life. Israel is in the forefront of countries battling climate change. The State of Israel provides medical and other aid to third-world countries and to regions affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

And these are just some of the literally dozens of technological innovations and humanitarian actions that Israel is known for.

Contrary to shrill cries from both international communities and from within Israel itself, the State of Israel is still a viable democracy—the only one in the entire Middle East. Its political system, though at times confusing and chaotic, is not in mortal danger. And while politicization of the judicial process is a danger we must all be concerned with, Israel’s judiciary system is not enroute to an early demise—at least not any more than our own courts in the United States. Israel’s democratic system is vibrant, as is evident from the weekly demonstrations that have been taking place there since the last election. Hundreds of thousands of its citizens have been taking to the streets on a weekly basis to demonstrate against the increasing political power of the religious Orthodox parties. And yet not a single fatality—thank God! No looting, no storefront windows smashed or defaced with racist graffiti, only—here and there—a handful of protestors arrested and soon released. Such is the power of freedom in Israel, the right to protest and share your own opinion and perspective on just about any subject. 

Ironically, while always remaining vigilant and constantly assessing potential threats to its safety and security, Israel remains a stabilizing strategic element in the region. Standing up to Iranian dreams of expansionism, including keeping a watchful eye on Iran’s plans to produce nuclear arms, Israel has also kept Syria from imploding under its own weight of autocratic dictatorship; Lebanon, from being completely overtaken by Iran’s military proxy, Hezbollah; and, despite the Palestinian Authority’s leader Mahmoud Abbas’s claims, Israel has enabled Abbas to retain power even as Hamas—yet another terror organization funded and armed by Iran—continues to undermine the Palestinian Authority’s power structure.

Globally, despite occasional disagreements, Israel remains among the most reliable allies the United States has anywhere in the world. And while—for international strategic reasons—Israel has chosen not to provide Iron Dome technology to Ukraine, earlier this month, exactly one day after joining NATO, Finland announced that it would purchase Israel’s David’s Sling, a ground-based air defense system that would help protect and defend Finland along its 832-mile border with Russia. 

These decisions and policies by themselves would make Israel the number-one enemy for many anti-Western countries and political entities around the world, but there is more behind the hatred and calls for dismantling and destruction, with Israel standing alone as the only country in the world that faces such calls on a regular, daily basis.

For while most of the world remembers the Holocaust and honors its dead victims, many still refuse to grant the living remnant of the Jewish People its inalienable right to determine and defend itself. While some accuse Israel of being an occupying power, the truth is that most Moslem and Arab States aren’t in the least interested in a side-by-side two-state solution. Time and again, Israel’s government accepted this political compromise while the Arabs rejected it. Incitement at schools, in the media and at weekly Friday sermons encourages and celebrates the murder of Jews wherever they are—in the West Bank or in Tel Aviv, in Israel or abroad.

The current rise in anti-Semitism in the United States and elsewhere around the world is not the result of any action on the part of Israel’s government. At question are neither Israel’s boundaries nor the so-called “settlements.” The outright denial of our history and legacy, the rejection of our legitimate connection to the Land of Israel, are in truth the latest incarnation of the age-old, vile and senseless hatred of the Jewish People. 

Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism.

If we Jews have learned anything at all from our history it’s that we must be able to defend ourselves. It’s the legitimate right of every individual, race, religion and nation, a right that still today—as it has been for millennia—is denied only to the Jewish People.

In order to understand today’s Middle East, it’s imperative that we understand its historical context. In order to remain strong as a people that has made inestimable contributions to human civilization, it’s essential that Jews all over the world continue supporting Israel even as it carries on its mission of providing a home for persecuted Jews, protecting Jewish lives, and defining the meaning and purpose of our collective Jewish experience. 

Happy Independence Day, Israel! May you stay safe and strong and continue being a beacon of light for all who seek freedom, truth and knowledge all over the world. L’chayim! To life!

© 2023 by Boaz D. Heilman