Israeli Perspective

Native Israelis grow up in a unique and often hostile environment. Surrounded by well armed enemies on all sides in a country smaller than Massachusetts. Because of this threat every Israeli citizen is required to serve two to three years in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). While in Israel we had the opportunity to hear from a former IDF security officer and an army commander about this reality. They told us that Israel’s neighbors have no reservations about proclaiming that they do not recognize Israel as a legitimate country and want to see them driven into the sea and wiped off the face of the planet. Even in this hostile climate Israel is doing everything in its ability to promote a peaceful resolution. They have offered generous concessions in negotiations for peace, they have provided medical aid to all sides during battles between Syria, moderate rebels, and Al Queda. They allow tons of food and medical supplies to be delivered daily to the Gaza Strip even though it is a front for Hamas.

They allow Christians, Muslims, and Jews access to holy sites without discrimination. They allow the muslim Bedouin tribes to settle in the East on government land without permit and wherever they please. They also have a robust economy that is making cutting edge advancements in technological research on all fronts (medical, computing, security, etc). Unfortunately, you will not often hear these things from US and international news media. They expressed clearly that the financial and moral support of the US are extremely important to the people of Israel and are critical to their survival. They cited specific policy decisions of past and current administrations that have had a huge impact, both positive and negative, on the geopolitical climate in the region. The US plays a major role in the survival of Israel and they need ours and our leaders’ support.

Micah Jarrett