JEWISH PRIDE

The late Prime Minister Menachem Begin famously said: "I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when we were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And, when necessary, we will die for them again, with or without your aid".

For decades, we have confronted the scourge of Islamic fundamentalism. We have outlived expulsions, progroms, massacres, and even the Holocaust. Our history may be tragic, but we have reason to be optimistic. We are living in times in which we need to be reminded of how much strength the Jewish people have: Our survival as a people, the gathering in of exiles and the rebuilding of a Jewish state.  

To quote Mark Twain: "Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of.  He is as prominent on the planet as any other people, and his importance is extravagantly out of proportion to the smallness of his bulk. His contributions to the world’s list of great names in literature, science, art, music, finance, medicine and abstruse learning are also very out of proportion to the weakness of his numbers.  He has made a marvelous fight in this world in all ages; and has done it with his hands tied behind him."

There is no moral ground in calling for the annihilation of a nation. Israel must respond, not just with military strength but with narrative strength. The story of Israel is powerful – one of trauma, triumph, rebirth, and hope. The world needs to hear it from Israelis themselves, not distorted through foreign correspondents or activist NGOs with political agendas. Rather than disproving accusations point by point, Israel must face anti-Israel propaganda by telling the truth about Israel as it is – flawed, complex, democratic, diverse, authentic, and deeply human.

Israel must stop letting its enemies define the terms of the debate. Occupation"? It is the same land offered to the "Palestinians" in countless peace deals, all of which  they rejected – not because of borders – but because of Israel's existence. "Genocide"? The IDF is the only army in history which warns civilians before striking terror targets embedded in homes, hospitals, etc. "Colonization"? There has never been a Palestinian state to colonize. Jews are not foreigners in Jerusalem, Hebron, or Tiberias. They are natives returning home. Israel's greatest revenge against its enemies is to keep flourishing.

From October 7^th, Israel stands as an example of how a nation confronts a real existential threat, demonstrates immense inner strength, and succeeds in repelling the danger that threatens its existence. We are proud to belong to a nation whose people are ready to fight, to sacrifice their sons and daughters, to stand firm in the longest war in Israel's history. Israel cannot expend its energy on appeasement and begging the world to understand. It must stop apologizing for its existence.

Israel doesn't have to be liked, or even to care. The Jewish people, whether in the Diaspora or in Israel must not be silenced by their opponents.  Zionism was founded by the new and courageous Jew. The Jews of today cannot betray that courage. They must walk with heads held high, strong, and proud.

The Jewish people have outlasted every enemy, defied every expectation, and proved over and over again that hatred is not stronger than history.  Israel does not need to win hearts to be victorious. It only needs to stand tall, clear and unafraid.