What Has Israel Become?

Jews are mandated to be a holy people (Exodus 7:6, Leviticus 19:2), a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6), God’s witnesses (Isaiah 43:10, 44:8), and a light unto the nations (Isaiah 49:6). Yet, we have become one of the most vilified nations in history. Before considering reasons for this, let us consider how alarming the conditions have become for Israel and Jews worldwide.

Our image worldwide has possibly never been lower. Many nations that had previously been supportive have recently become extremely critical. There has been an increase in criticism of Israel, even among Jews in Israel, the US, and other countries. According to a Pew survey published recently, 60% of U.S. adults viewed Israel unfavorably, up nearly 20 points in four years. PM Netanyahu addressed a largely empty room at the recent UN General Assembly.

While Israel is widely considered a haven for Jews, we now have a negative migration balance, with young and talented Israelis leaving the country, contributing to shortages in key areas, such as health, education, and hi-tech. For example, 79,000 Israelis left in 2024, while only 46,000 made aliyah or returned home. This is especially worrisome since antisemitism has become so widespread throughout the Diaspora, hardly something that would encourage Jews to come..

The chances of normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations have been dramatically reduced. 

In addition, antisemitism has never been so widespread, even during the darkest days of World War Two. and anti-Jewish acts are taking place somewhere in the world every day, even in traditionally friendly and supportive nations such as England, France, other European nations, the United States, Australia, and now even in Africa and South America. Many Jews on college campuses have been ridiculed, bullied, and oppressed, and Jews worldwide are increasingly fearful.  Many are afraid to exhibit their Jewish identity publicly.

Israeli athletes are being banned from international sporting events; Israeli films are being excluded from international film festivals; moves are afoot everywhere to shun Israeli professionals, scientists, artists, medical practitioners, musicians, entertainers, and academics; Jews are threatened when traveling on trips abroad; Jewish and Israeli-owned eateries, manufacturers, food producers and other companies linked to Jews and Israel are becoming targets of boycotts, vandalism, and hatred; there are calls to suspend trade agreements with many countries. All this is causing severe economic damage for Israel.

Of course, there has always been antisemitism and anti-Israel feelings, and, unfortunately, there will always be. But why has it become so widespread today?

A main reason is the direct result of a series of catastrophic political decisions by PM Benjamin Netanyahu, decisions that have been bad for Israelis, Palestinians, the United States, and the broader Middle East. Netanyahu empowered extremists like Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich in order to maintain power. He brought them into the center of Israeli politics and handed them authority over national security and settlement policy.

A May 24, 2026 Jerusalem Post editorial was entitled “Ben-Gvir is an embarrassment.” It discussed the many ways he helped critics of Israel t odamage Israel’s reputation, including his public humiliation of flotilla activists.

Netanyahu also chose to move Israel directly into partisan American politics, for example, by opposing the JCPOA, the  Iran nuclear deal, going behind the back of then-President Barack Obama in speaking before the US Congress in opposition to it, aligning himself with Republicans. It planted the seeds for Israel becoming a partisan issue in American politics.

While there is much that we can be very proud of as Jews in terms of our values, traditions, and accomplishments, we have not always lived up to our highest values, including the teaching indicated 36 times in various formulations in the Torah that we should be kind and tolerant to and not oppress the stranger, “for we were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

Another major reason for the above negatives is Israel’s response to the horrendous massacre by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Of course, Israel had the right to respond forcefully. However, when people saw that tens of thousands of Gazans lost their lives and many more were wounded, most Gazans were forced to relocate several times, and nearly the entire country was turned to rubble, many, including long-time supporters, considered Israel very negatively.

Netanyahu chose to continue the Gaza war in a way that maximized devastation. After October 7, there was overwhelming sympathy for Israel in the United States and other countries. There was broad agreement that  Israel had the right to respond to Hamas’ atrocities. But the war did not need to continue for so long. A year before it ended, most Israelis were prepared to support ending the war in exchange for the release of the hostages. Netanyahu repeatedly extended it because ending the war threatened his coalition and his political survival. At the same time, he refused to seriously empower or work with alternative Palestinian leadership that could have replaced Hamas..The images coming out of Gaza more than anything else have transformed global opinion. Had the war ended earlier after Israel had achieved what military objectives it realistically could, Israel would not be facing anything close to the current level of criticism.

Also, especially concerning are the acts of blatant terrorism against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria. In despicable acts of violence, assailants have burned Palestinian homes and other property, destroyed olive orchards, robbed or slaughtered Palestinian herds of sheep, and wounded and even killed innocent civilians.

Former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar told  PM Netanyahu that “West Bank Jewish terror is bringing  Israel to the brink of disaster.” Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as “shocking and serious.” A Jerusalem Post editorial indicated that “The situation [in Judea and Samaria] is close to anarchy, and the government doesn’t appear able or willing to do something about it.” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called attacks against Palestinian civilians and Israeli soldiers in the area  “morally and ethically unacceptable, and a major strategic impediment.” Perhaps most serious is the claim by former Mossad Director Tamir Pardo, after visiting several Palestinian villages that were attacked by Jews, that he was ashamed to be Jewish.

The images people now see almost daily on social media — of violent settler attacks in Judea and Samaria have done enormous damage to Israel’s image.

Another very troubling factor is the marches by extremist mobs of Jews the day before Yom Yerushalayim through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, committing violent acts and shouting statements, like “Kill the Arabs” and “May your village burn.” This has resulted in all Muslim shops being closed and all Muslim residents staying hidden during the marches.

As one Jewish observer expressed it:

”What struck me most was not just the hatred, but the nauseating joy. As marchers cursed, they sang. As they spat at Palestinian shops, they danced. They paraded through someone else’s home, celebrating domination.”

She added “Three years later, nothing has changed. Once again, activists trying to prevent violence were targeted by mobs. Once again, the people standing between families and extremists were harassed by Ben-Gvir’s police, while those calling openly for Palestinian death marched freely through the streets.”

The very negative situations discussed above will likely become even worse if efforts to annex Judea and Samaria continue, including plans to build in the E1 area connecting Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adumim, despite protests from the US and other countries.

Clearly, there is a need for positive changes. While it would involve painful sacrifices, I believe the best possibility for a positive Israeli future is a comprehensive, sustainable resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
This view is shared by most world leaders and most US Democratic politicians. Most importantly, it is the position of Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), an organization composed of over 550 retired leaders of the IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet, Israel’s police, and Israeli diplomats.

Such a resolution would have to involve no governmental role for Hamas, a demilitarized Palestinian state, a territorial swap that would leave most residents of Judea and Samaria inside Israel, and financial help from the US, EU, Abraham Accord nations, and other nations that would benefit all the residents of the region.
Major benefits of such a resolution include improving our image, reducing antisemitism and our current migration deficit, and improving chances that Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations join the Abraham Accords. Hence, we should join other nations in a strong effort to obtain it.

A recent report indicated that a majority of Palestinians in both Gaza and Judea and Samaria support a resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

Hopefully, the elections that are scheduled for later this year will produce more moderate, peace-supportive leaders for Israel and the Palestinians, which will enable a conflict resolution.

Bottom line: We have a choice between continued conflicts with many negative consequences, some potentially catastrophic, and a much better, harmonious, peaceful future based on mutual respect, understanding, and forgiveness. May we choose wisely!