While many people in the West feel embarrassed by their own countries, Israelis carry deep-seated pride rooted in history, responsibility, and a clear-eyed understanding of reality.
A very well written article that eloquently depicts the success of Israel, in spite of the war, and the fall of the west. I made Aliyah from Europe 10 years ago. I watched the decline of the west from the inside. I am amazed and grateful for the Israeli caring society that I am now privileged to be a part of. Responsibility to the young for their country is a cornerstone of society.
I made aliyah just before the '73 war... and I still think it's the best place to raise children and now grandchildren , the eldest of whom is now in the IDF...
It's a marvelous land and people who will rise together to fight like lions when our homeland and nation is in danger...
that really resonates with me ....I was a volunteer directly after the YK War and I thought very earnestly about staying about aliyah even went to a Jewish Agency interview. Since everything I do involves language I returned to the USA. And there was another factor that weighed against me staying whereas today that Would be a reason to stay! Yes, I've been three time and hope to G d that there will be a fourth. It is a marvelous land.
I think much what you say is true of Western Europe. It isnt true in the United States. It is largely true of the people who are to the left and the political that now bends the the knee to them. Not coincidentally these are the people who rail against Israel. It isnt true of the great majority of the people of the United States who feel great pride in their country. I include myself among them. There are a LOT of Americans. Be wary of judging based on a very loud and unpleasant minority.
Spelling must not have been part of the home schooling. Otherwise point taken. Allowing the left to take over the educational system is one of the biggest pieces of malpractice this country has allowed to happen.
I taught HS for many years. I never taught anti Americanism even when I embraced muliticulturalism because I'd alway been interested in other lands and languages. But I taught the canon too the so called dead white men and some women.
Although I think a lot of politicians on the Left or members of the Evil Cult of Islam (ECI) who stuck in the middle ages look down on the civilized West believe that. Get outside the Insanity of the Wokey University system paid for by Qatar and China and you will find many Americans still believe in the American Dream and hold faith in the CLEAR success of Zionism and Israel.
It simply takes a minute to see all the accomplishments of Western Civilization and the rebound of God's people in Israel and worldwide for us to recover our faith and strength born by the Laws of God!
For the Jewish people how can you not be proud of what Israel has accomplished; they did it without the vast mineral or Oil resources. They did it with faith, strength and God's guidance. We in the West, we have freedom of religion but that only applies to religions! Islam is the enemy of every other religion and poison to freedom. They must and will be stopped!
As a Christian Man who loves America and the myriad of citizens within, I am proud of our accomplishments. Our freedom of religion will be defended with our lives. I served 26 years in the US Army and six years in contract DOD positions. I took an oath and it did not expire when I retired; I will defend the Jewish citizens of my country with my life!
In my heart directly behind that oath is my faith and belief in Israel and the Holy Land. I also will fight for these things as they are the anchors our religions rest on...
The USA is the shining light of the Western World!
Jewish/Hebrew/Israelite memory is at the core of the people of Israel's survival and self-assurance. That vivid , dynamic memory- or, if you are a cynical psychoanalyst, the " inability to forget"- is a miracle itself that seems genetic. Perhaps it is even feared by the world.
Yet ,those comments here that mention the too many Israelis today detached from the pride and Judaic regard mentioned in the article ,are accurate too. It's unfortunate and frightening.
Recently, a Muslim woman snuffed the Hannuka lit candles of the large Menorah at a shopping mall. And laughed, she and her Arab male companion, who applauded.
She was arrested and could be facing prison.
Most of those who commented on the news had contempt for the holiday and had no problem with the Muslim woman desecrating it. The thought of how a similar offence would be approached if a Jew committed it against a Muslim cherished site or symbol escapes them. They blame Israel for whatever is done to her. Judaism is anathema to them.
Between them and the haredim refusing to integrate Israeli life, those two extremes, there is a worrying trend of deterioration. Yes, Israelis, as Jews are, are exceptional in their spirit and care for each other as a group. But our history shows how we are capable of the opposite mind-set and have been tremendously self destructive.
The State of Israel is still a test of the people's resilience, world-wide, as finally there is a sovereign state armed to its teeth .There were good kings and bad kings for a few hundred years, and now there are good governments and bad governments. The people's internal make up, for better or for worse, remains. We are quite like our ancestors millennia ago. And thus, we live and thrive. As long as we do.
Great article, but you ignore the fact that 13-14% of the population, Haredi Jews, do not share the burden nor the pride you cite as the source of Israel's strength.
Israel is going to make a choice and soon. The Haredi will almost certainly leave if they are forced to share the burdens and responsibilities of the Israeli citizenry. I also think it is long past time for Israeli Arabs to be drafted. They have a choice to make. If they prefer not to be Israeli any longer they can always be deposited over the border.
Im sure the the IDF can handle it. Unlike here, a red flag wont be ignored because Muslims are a special protected class. I mean there are Arabs in the IDF. Volunteers.
"The Haredi will almost certainly leave if they are forced to share the burdens and responsibilities of the Israeli citizenry."
What country will take the Haredim? There are a million of them in Israel and many of them don't work. They may wish to leave but no one in their right mind will take them.
There are many places that would be happy to have them Obviously they will have to work and most in Israel in fact do. I was just in Budapest and learned there is a growing Haredi community straight from Brooklyn. They are welcomed there.
I am aware of that. The reason so many do not work in Israel is that the government subsidies them. Those subsidies need to end. When they do many of these Haredi who are not Zionists will likely leave for less expensive places. Like Budapest for example.
Look how the anti Zionist Satmar have managed to set up Kiryas Joel, an entire village for themselves. I don't see the Haredi leaving, neither do Isee them relenting and joing the Israeli nation in great numbers. I fear drafting the Arabs will be a source of danger....all ready those who volunteer to serve do serve, The Bedouin serve
Thats not really relevant. Israeli societal cohesion cannot have entire classes of citizenry exempted from service. I suspect most Israeli Arabs will have no problems serving. Many Haredi will likely leave. But either way it has to be done.
He also was very kind to the Israeli left who, while serving in the military etc are embarrassed by what Israel has become. As has been said elsewhere they want to be Sweden in Hebrew and are extremely hostile towards most of their fellow Israelis who do not share their politics. Believe me. I live with one if them. His daughter just gave birth to a baby boy. There will be no brit milah.
I am so glad you have written this because it brilliantly points out how American exceptionalism has gone off the rails. The increasing evaporation of national pride for the achievements and contributions of new and older immigrant Jewish American citizens are being trashed which is a great recipe for American failure. Such unrest fuels the facilitation of diverse Socialist para-capitalist entities such as arms' dealers and terrorism for hire operatives and their international loosely spread out criminal business collectives and enterprises. The only democracy that consistently demonstrates a strong feeling of national unity and pride is India. Both Israel and India are technically very innovative and hard-working democracies. When democracies thrive, terrorist big businesses suffer. When democracies falter terrorist collectives reap huge financial benefits for a few. So freedom or independent statehood is never the goal for these socialist antisemitic terror operative capitalists. Big profits for a few that can only be sustained by continuing war, unrest, polarization and harsh political suppression is their only way forward.
THAT IS HOW JUDAISM AND JEWS SURVIVED. THE EXCEPTION IS WHEN "BASELESS HATRED" RAN WILD. HaShem DESPISES BASELESS HATRED(Jews against Jews) WHAT SCARES ME TODAY IS THE GROWTH AND HATRED TOWARD JEWS AND ISRAEL BY THOSE "JEWS" THAT FOLLOW A MAN MADE "JUDAISM" THE REFORM AND CONSERVATIVE "JEW"
Excellent points. I hope that many Diaspora Jews read your post and finally decide to pack up and make Alliya. We welcome 🙏 our Brothers and sisters to come and stand with us to build a better safer future for the Jewish Nation. 🙏
If I had the Dan Senor's book on Israel I could cite something from him that I learned about growing up Israeli that gives one some space to try things out.....and community one can associate with for this purpose...there 's a HEbrew term and sorry I don't have the book to look it up. I watched a white Minnesota congresswoman? don a hijab standing next to omar so thrilled was this lady to wear a sign of her dhimmitude....too stupid to know what that is. When I said among my woke neighbors in response to the question ...who are the most attractive people....I said ISRAELIS. I expected some snickering but no ....there was some agreement. I'm proud.....there's that word that keeps popping up for everyone but Jews....to be American and your sentence about memory as essential to Jewishness is true to me as well.....regretfully the J street rabbis and cantors and it seems many...to many Hollywood Jews have no memory. Or as the repulsive Seth rogan said, he'd had the blinders removed from his eyes about the true malevolence of Israel. Boy are we in for the fight of out lives now with the resurgence of both left and right antisemitism aka Jew HATE. And Jewish self hate.
Josh puts his finger on something many observers miss and many Israelis instinctively understand: Israel still possesses a form of national belonging that the West has largely mislaid.
Not performative patriotism. Not chest-thumping. But a lived, historically grounded confidence—one rooted in memory, obligation, language, and shared risk. Israelis argue ferociously, but they do so inside the story, not in flight from it. Criticism is an act of ownership, not disavowal. Citizenship is not merely a bundle of rights, but a covenant of responsibilities formed early—through youth movements, shared rituals, military service, and an unromantic familiarity with danger.
That culture explains something the outside world struggled to comprehend after October 7: why Israelis abroad rushed back toward a war zone. That response wasn’t propaganda or pressure. It was muscle memory. A society that teaches obligation early produces reflexive solidarity in crisis.
On all of this, Josh is right.
But here is where I think his argument needs a harder, more uncomfortable extension.
A culture of belonging is not self-sustaining. It can be squandered.
Israel today faces a paradox: it retains extraordinary civic strength at the horizontal level—among citizens, reservists, volunteers, families—while suffering a growing crisis of trust at the vertical level, between the public and its leadership. And that gap is not theoretical. It shows up in the data.
Israel is experiencing a net loss of people. Not refugees fleeing danger, but highly skilled Israelis making rational calculations: tech founders, doctors, engineers, reservists with foreign passports, parents of young children. People who love Israel, feel bound to it emotionally, and yet increasingly doubt the direction of those entrusted to govern it.
Missiles don’t cause brain drain. Leadership does.
In “Start-Up Nation or Exit Nation,” https://jewnewsreview.substack.com/p/the-jew-news-review-november-29-2025 I argued that the most dangerous trend facing Israel right now is not international pressure or battlefield risk, but the erosion of confidence that the country is being stewarded responsibly. October 7 shattered more than deterrence; it shattered the assumption of accountability. Israelis unified instantly in the face of catastrophe—but unity is not an infinite resource. It requires leaders who replenish it with competence, honesty, and a willingness to take responsibility rather than outsource blame.
Israel’s historic strength has always been its human capital—its people’s sense that their sacrifices serve a collective future worth inheriting. When that future feels compromised not by enemies but by internal dysfunction, something changes. People don’t renounce their identity. They hedge. They keep one foot in and one foot out. They build exit ramps “just in case.”
That is how a nation can remain proud—and still bleed.
Josh is right to contrast Israeli civic confidence with Western societies that have taught their citizens to view national inheritance as something to apologize for rather than carry forward. But Israel should not assume immunity from a similar erosion. Pride survives where obligation survives, yes—but obligation survives only where leadership is trusted to honor the social contract.
The danger is not that Israelis will stop loving Israel. The danger is that too many will conclude that love no longer requires presence.
Israel does not lack patriotism. It does not lack sacrifice. It does not lack a sense of story. What it risks lacking—if this moment persists—is a governing class worthy of the culture Josh so powerfully describes.
Israel can win wars and still lose a generation.
“Start-Up Nation” was never about unicorns or exits; it was about a society that rewarded responsibility, initiative, and seriousness of purpose. If leadership fails to embody those traits, “Exit Nation” stops being a warning and becomes a pattern.
Josh is right about what Israel has. The urgent question now is whether those in power are protecting it—or quietly spending it down.
A very well written article that eloquently depicts the success of Israel, in spite of the war, and the fall of the west. I made Aliyah from Europe 10 years ago. I watched the decline of the west from the inside. I am amazed and grateful for the Israeli caring society that I am now privileged to be a part of. Responsibility to the young for their country is a cornerstone of society.
I made aliyah 14 years ago. I loved every word of this essay and it's why I love Israel and feel lucky to live here.
I made aliyah just before the '73 war... and I still think it's the best place to raise children and now grandchildren , the eldest of whom is now in the IDF...
It's a marvelous land and people who will rise together to fight like lions when our homeland and nation is in danger...
that really resonates with me ....I was a volunteer directly after the YK War and I thought very earnestly about staying about aliyah even went to a Jewish Agency interview. Since everything I do involves language I returned to the USA. And there was another factor that weighed against me staying whereas today that Would be a reason to stay! Yes, I've been three time and hope to G d that there will be a fourth. It is a marvelous land.
I think much what you say is true of Western Europe. It isnt true in the United States. It is largely true of the people who are to the left and the political that now bends the the knee to them. Not coincidentally these are the people who rail against Israel. It isnt true of the great majority of the people of the United States who feel great pride in their country. I include myself among them. There are a LOT of Americans. Be wary of judging based on a very loud and unpleasant minority.
Spelling must not have been part of the home schooling. Otherwise point taken. Allowing the left to take over the educational system is one of the biggest pieces of malpractice this country has allowed to happen.
YOU SMUG OSTRICH.
I taught HS for many years. I never taught anti Americanism even when I embraced muliticulturalism because I'd alway been interested in other lands and languages. But I taught the canon too the so called dead white men and some women.
Daisy Freedom Lover may spell correctly but he has no idea what Freedom means.
Actually you are a pathetic fool.
Clearly articulated! Agree with every woid.
I believe you are mistaken!
Although I think a lot of politicians on the Left or members of the Evil Cult of Islam (ECI) who stuck in the middle ages look down on the civilized West believe that. Get outside the Insanity of the Wokey University system paid for by Qatar and China and you will find many Americans still believe in the American Dream and hold faith in the CLEAR success of Zionism and Israel.
It simply takes a minute to see all the accomplishments of Western Civilization and the rebound of God's people in Israel and worldwide for us to recover our faith and strength born by the Laws of God!
For the Jewish people how can you not be proud of what Israel has accomplished; they did it without the vast mineral or Oil resources. They did it with faith, strength and God's guidance. We in the West, we have freedom of religion but that only applies to religions! Islam is the enemy of every other religion and poison to freedom. They must and will be stopped!
As a Christian Man who loves America and the myriad of citizens within, I am proud of our accomplishments. Our freedom of religion will be defended with our lives. I served 26 years in the US Army and six years in contract DOD positions. I took an oath and it did not expire when I retired; I will defend the Jewish citizens of my country with my life!
In my heart directly behind that oath is my faith and belief in Israel and the Holy Land. I also will fight for these things as they are the anchors our religions rest on...
The USA is the shining light of the Western World!
Israel is the shining light of the Middle East!
This We'll Defend!
God Bless America and Israel!
Sword of God Militia!
Fantastic.
Jewish/Hebrew/Israelite memory is at the core of the people of Israel's survival and self-assurance. That vivid , dynamic memory- or, if you are a cynical psychoanalyst, the " inability to forget"- is a miracle itself that seems genetic. Perhaps it is even feared by the world.
Yet ,those comments here that mention the too many Israelis today detached from the pride and Judaic regard mentioned in the article ,are accurate too. It's unfortunate and frightening.
Recently, a Muslim woman snuffed the Hannuka lit candles of the large Menorah at a shopping mall. And laughed, she and her Arab male companion, who applauded.
She was arrested and could be facing prison.
Most of those who commented on the news had contempt for the holiday and had no problem with the Muslim woman desecrating it. The thought of how a similar offence would be approached if a Jew committed it against a Muslim cherished site or symbol escapes them. They blame Israel for whatever is done to her. Judaism is anathema to them.
Between them and the haredim refusing to integrate Israeli life, those two extremes, there is a worrying trend of deterioration. Yes, Israelis, as Jews are, are exceptional in their spirit and care for each other as a group. But our history shows how we are capable of the opposite mind-set and have been tremendously self destructive.
The State of Israel is still a test of the people's resilience, world-wide, as finally there is a sovereign state armed to its teeth .There were good kings and bad kings for a few hundred years, and now there are good governments and bad governments. The people's internal make up, for better or for worse, remains. We are quite like our ancestors millennia ago. And thus, we live and thrive. As long as we do.
Great article, but you ignore the fact that 13-14% of the population, Haredi Jews, do not share the burden nor the pride you cite as the source of Israel's strength.
Israel is going to make a choice and soon. The Haredi will almost certainly leave if they are forced to share the burdens and responsibilities of the Israeli citizenry. I also think it is long past time for Israeli Arabs to be drafted. They have a choice to make. If they prefer not to be Israeli any longer they can always be deposited over the border.
I fear drafting the Arabs will make for instances like the military man in Texas who murdered his fellow soldiers after shouting allahu akbar...
Im sure the the IDF can handle it. Unlike here, a red flag wont be ignored because Muslims are a special protected class. I mean there are Arabs in the IDF. Volunteers.
"The Haredi will almost certainly leave if they are forced to share the burdens and responsibilities of the Israeli citizenry."
What country will take the Haredim? There are a million of them in Israel and many of them don't work. They may wish to leave but no one in their right mind will take them.
There are many places that would be happy to have them Obviously they will have to work and most in Israel in fact do. I was just in Budapest and learned there is a growing Haredi community straight from Brooklyn. They are welcomed there.
Haredi in the US work. I'm from NYC and have done business with them many times.
Israeli Haredim will have to change their ways in a foreign country and that is why I don't see Israeli Haredi leaving.
I am aware of that. The reason so many do not work in Israel is that the government subsidies them. Those subsidies need to end. When they do many of these Haredi who are not Zionists will likely leave for less expensive places. Like Budapest for example.
Look how the anti Zionist Satmar have managed to set up Kiryas Joel, an entire village for themselves. I don't see the Haredi leaving, neither do Isee them relenting and joing the Israeli nation in great numbers. I fear drafting the Arabs will be a source of danger....all ready those who volunteer to serve do serve, The Bedouin serve
I have doubts reluctant Haredi and Israeli Arabs forcibly conscripted will make for good soldiers. Might be the opposite.
Thats not really relevant. Israeli societal cohesion cannot have entire classes of citizenry exempted from service. I suspect most Israeli Arabs will have no problems serving. Many Haredi will likely leave. But either way it has to be done.
He also was very kind to the Israeli left who, while serving in the military etc are embarrassed by what Israel has become. As has been said elsewhere they want to be Sweden in Hebrew and are extremely hostile towards most of their fellow Israelis who do not share their politics. Believe me. I live with one if them. His daughter just gave birth to a baby boy. There will be no brit milah.
Dats gud.
I am so glad you have written this because it brilliantly points out how American exceptionalism has gone off the rails. The increasing evaporation of national pride for the achievements and contributions of new and older immigrant Jewish American citizens are being trashed which is a great recipe for American failure. Such unrest fuels the facilitation of diverse Socialist para-capitalist entities such as arms' dealers and terrorism for hire operatives and their international loosely spread out criminal business collectives and enterprises. The only democracy that consistently demonstrates a strong feeling of national unity and pride is India. Both Israel and India are technically very innovative and hard-working democracies. When democracies thrive, terrorist big businesses suffer. When democracies falter terrorist collectives reap huge financial benefits for a few. So freedom or independent statehood is never the goal for these socialist antisemitic terror operative capitalists. Big profits for a few that can only be sustained by continuing war, unrest, polarization and harsh political suppression is their only way forward.
Excellent essay !
THAT IS HOW JUDAISM AND JEWS SURVIVED. THE EXCEPTION IS WHEN "BASELESS HATRED" RAN WILD. HaShem DESPISES BASELESS HATRED(Jews against Jews) WHAT SCARES ME TODAY IS THE GROWTH AND HATRED TOWARD JEWS AND ISRAEL BY THOSE "JEWS" THAT FOLLOW A MAN MADE "JUDAISM" THE REFORM AND CONSERVATIVE "JEW"
Excellent points. I hope that many Diaspora Jews read your post and finally decide to pack up and make Alliya. We welcome 🙏 our Brothers and sisters to come and stand with us to build a better safer future for the Jewish Nation. 🙏
Is that what made them genocidal?
💖💖💖💖💖
If I had the Dan Senor's book on Israel I could cite something from him that I learned about growing up Israeli that gives one some space to try things out.....and community one can associate with for this purpose...there 's a HEbrew term and sorry I don't have the book to look it up. I watched a white Minnesota congresswoman? don a hijab standing next to omar so thrilled was this lady to wear a sign of her dhimmitude....too stupid to know what that is. When I said among my woke neighbors in response to the question ...who are the most attractive people....I said ISRAELIS. I expected some snickering but no ....there was some agreement. I'm proud.....there's that word that keeps popping up for everyone but Jews....to be American and your sentence about memory as essential to Jewishness is true to me as well.....regretfully the J street rabbis and cantors and it seems many...to many Hollywood Jews have no memory. Or as the repulsive Seth rogan said, he'd had the blinders removed from his eyes about the true malevolence of Israel. Boy are we in for the fight of out lives now with the resurgence of both left and right antisemitism aka Jew HATE. And Jewish self hate.
Josh puts his finger on something many observers miss and many Israelis instinctively understand: Israel still possesses a form of national belonging that the West has largely mislaid.
Not performative patriotism. Not chest-thumping. But a lived, historically grounded confidence—one rooted in memory, obligation, language, and shared risk. Israelis argue ferociously, but they do so inside the story, not in flight from it. Criticism is an act of ownership, not disavowal. Citizenship is not merely a bundle of rights, but a covenant of responsibilities formed early—through youth movements, shared rituals, military service, and an unromantic familiarity with danger.
That culture explains something the outside world struggled to comprehend after October 7: why Israelis abroad rushed back toward a war zone. That response wasn’t propaganda or pressure. It was muscle memory. A society that teaches obligation early produces reflexive solidarity in crisis.
On all of this, Josh is right.
But here is where I think his argument needs a harder, more uncomfortable extension.
A culture of belonging is not self-sustaining. It can be squandered.
Israel today faces a paradox: it retains extraordinary civic strength at the horizontal level—among citizens, reservists, volunteers, families—while suffering a growing crisis of trust at the vertical level, between the public and its leadership. And that gap is not theoretical. It shows up in the data.
Israel is experiencing a net loss of people. Not refugees fleeing danger, but highly skilled Israelis making rational calculations: tech founders, doctors, engineers, reservists with foreign passports, parents of young children. People who love Israel, feel bound to it emotionally, and yet increasingly doubt the direction of those entrusted to govern it.
Missiles don’t cause brain drain. Leadership does.
In “Start-Up Nation or Exit Nation,” https://jewnewsreview.substack.com/p/the-jew-news-review-november-29-2025 I argued that the most dangerous trend facing Israel right now is not international pressure or battlefield risk, but the erosion of confidence that the country is being stewarded responsibly. October 7 shattered more than deterrence; it shattered the assumption of accountability. Israelis unified instantly in the face of catastrophe—but unity is not an infinite resource. It requires leaders who replenish it with competence, honesty, and a willingness to take responsibility rather than outsource blame.
Israel’s historic strength has always been its human capital—its people’s sense that their sacrifices serve a collective future worth inheriting. When that future feels compromised not by enemies but by internal dysfunction, something changes. People don’t renounce their identity. They hedge. They keep one foot in and one foot out. They build exit ramps “just in case.”
That is how a nation can remain proud—and still bleed.
Josh is right to contrast Israeli civic confidence with Western societies that have taught their citizens to view national inheritance as something to apologize for rather than carry forward. But Israel should not assume immunity from a similar erosion. Pride survives where obligation survives, yes—but obligation survives only where leadership is trusted to honor the social contract.
The danger is not that Israelis will stop loving Israel. The danger is that too many will conclude that love no longer requires presence.
Israel does not lack patriotism. It does not lack sacrifice. It does not lack a sense of story. What it risks lacking—if this moment persists—is a governing class worthy of the culture Josh so powerfully describes.
Israel can win wars and still lose a generation.
“Start-Up Nation” was never about unicorns or exits; it was about a society that rewarded responsibility, initiative, and seriousness of purpose. If leadership fails to embody those traits, “Exit Nation” stops being a warning and becomes a pattern.
Josh is right about what Israel has. The urgent question now is whether those in power are protecting it—or quietly spending it down.
Phenomenal.