Israel still has reason not to despair in the war between Israel and Hamas
I sense an atmosphere of discouragement in Israel at the moment.
Some would even call it desperation.
I have heard comments like, “We are losing this war,” or “We will never be safe in our beds again.”
Last Shabbat, someone even asked me if I thought Israel would still exist in 20 years and if I had ever considered leaving the country and fleeing to the “safety” of my “home” in Great Britain.
These are comments and questions that would never have been considered ten months ago. But people are tired.
They are tired of the war. Despite early warnings from the army and government that it would be a long fight, this one lasted – we cannot accept it – 50 times longer than the Six-Day War and there are no signs that its end is in sight any time soon.
They are tired of the constant bickering, bad behavior and lack of statesmanship on the part of those entrusted with running the country.
They are tired (and in many cases angry) at the terrible press Israel receives on the international stage.
They are tired (and infinitely sad) about the loss of so many heroic soldiers and the plight of the hostages in the hell of Hamas captivity.
There is also fear.
Fear of what the future might hold for us – hence the questions posed to me above.
The fear that anti-Semitism, which has already been increasing in recent decades, has been exacerbated by Israel’s reaction to the October 7 massacres.
We read of attacks on synagogues from Berlin to Paris to Tunisia to New York. For many Jews around the world, this attack feels like a harbinger of the pogroms we thought were consigned to the dustbin of history. It has shaken our belief that a homeland should protect us from that very thing happening again.
For many it is difficult to see the rainbow after the storm.
Focus on the positive
But we have to see it.
In the 1935 film adaptation of David Copperfield, WC Fields, as Mr. Micawber, says optimistically: “Remember my motto: nil desperandum – never despair.”
That’s what we have to be, now.
There is much to be optimistic about, to be thankful for, and much to celebrate, albeit under difficult circumstances. Let’s list a few of them and give thanks for the wonderful country we call home:
The initial response to the attacks on 7 October was simply staggering. 130% of the emergency services responded to calls, volunteers in every sector fell over themselves to help in any way they could, picking fruit, delivering supplies, helping the displaced – we must not forget this incredible sense of community spirit and mutual responsibility.
I firmly believe that the silent majority of the world can distinguish right from wrong and supports our right to self-defense. The loud and vicious minority does not reflect the real world. The voting behavior at the Eurovision Song Contest clearly demonstrated this phenomenon.
Opinion polls in the United States consistently show that over 80 percent of Americans support Israel, despite the noise coming from universities.
The support of many governments around the world, especially Germany, the UK, Australia and – yes – our most important supporter, the US, should give us confidence in our ongoing fight.
Even though Iran fired 300 rockets at Israel in one night, our God and our air defenses protected us.
The increasing participation of women in the army, including in combat missions, is a testament to the bravery, courage and commitment of our young women to the security of the state. How many countries can say the same?
Despite all this, Israel still ranks fifth in the global “happiness league” in a survey conducted after the war began.
Israel’s high-tech sector continues to thrive, with massive investments and advances in cybersecurity and AI. After all, we are the “start-up nation.” The numbers for investment in Israeli industry are staggering – over $3 billion has been invested by private funds in the last six months – there is clearly confidence in our future.
There is a tremendous commitment to our people in the streets, both at home, where we have raised our flags in the streets in honour and respect for the fallen, and in our tireless efforts to commemorate the plight of the hostages.
The rescue of four hostages earlier this month was a huge boost.
But it was not just the wonderful news itself that gave me cause for celebration, but also a small, almost unnoticed phenomenon that demonstrated a compassion and mutual respect that embodies our nation.
The hostages were rescued on the holy Shabbat, when religious Jews do not use radio, television or computers. Some non-Sabbath-observant people hung hastily written posters with the good news in religious areas so that religious people could also feel joy and relief.
Previously, my religious readers would have had a stroke and picked up their pens to write and rebuke me—I don’t necessarily celebrate the non-observance of Shabbat—but the fact that so many people wanted to help their more devout friends share in this moment shows that, despite everything, we are a nation with one heart.
Yes, there is much reason for optimism in this God-given land we are privileged to call home. So let’s focus on the good, and as for the not so good, as we say in Hebrew, gam zeh ya’avor, this too shall pass.
The author is a rabbi and physician living in Ramat Poleg, Netanya, and co-founder of Techelet-Inspiring Judaism.
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