Why the left should like Israel
The media coverage and the common discourse about Israel are all too often reduced to conflict and politics. In many political discussions, particularly on the left, Israel is viewed primarily through the lens of conflict and security.
However, there are fundamental values and achievements in Israeli society that should be celebrated, not criticized, regardless of your political views. Here are three reasons why.
- Israel is vegan-friendly
According to a recent World Population Review report, Israel has one of the highest percentages of vegans in the population globally.
This reflects a progressive awareness of climate issues, animal rights, and sustainability, all values aligned with the left’s vision for the future.
- LGBTQI freedom
Every year, Tel Aviv attracts an international audience to its famous Pride parade, highlighting a level of LGBTQI acceptance and visibility that remains rare in the Middle East.
This year’s Pride Parade in Tel Aviv kicks off on the 12th of June and is once again expected to attract festive partygoers from all over the world.
- The kibbutz movement—the origins of the left in Israel
Perhaps the least well-known fact out of these three things is the role of the kibbutzim in the country’s development. Degania, Israel’s first kibbutz, was founded in 1910 as a socialist and egalitarian collective.
These ideals were reflected in the communal way of living, working, and sharing resources.
These collectivist communities formed the backbone of the creation of a new nation. To this day, they are living examples of how ideals of equality, solidarity, collective ownership, and mutual responsibility—values that have long been associated with progressive politics—can be realized in practice.
Israel is far more complex than the image often presented in political debates. For those who care about equality, minority rights, environmental sustainability, and democratic values, there is much in Israeli society that deserves recognition, as these examples go to show. Bearing this in mind, the left should reconsider its view on Israel.
