8 | DECEMBER 29 • 2022 

PURELY COMMENTARY

continued on page 9

opinion
Israel: One of the Most Progressive 
Countries in the World
W

hile so-called 
progressives and 
biased media in the 
United States level a relentless 
stream of accusations against 
Israel, these critics uniformly 
ignore the fact 
that Israel is one 
of the most lib-
eral, progressive 
nations in the 
world. If Israel’s 
“progressive” 
critics really 
cared about 
social justice, they would be 
the country’s most fervent sup-
porters.
Enemies of Israel falsely 
accuse Israel of white colonial-
ism, apartheid, ultra-nation-
alism, unfair treatment of its 
Arab citizens, LGBT “pink-
washing,
” theocracy and viola-
tions of international law.
In fact, Israel is a mature 
democracy with high-function-
ing government and judicial 
institutions, plus a long track 
record of moral behavior and 
the rule of law. It guarantees 
expansive civil liberties, equal 
rights and economic opportu-
nities to its citizens.
This includes, of course, 
Israel’s 2 million Arab citizens 
— 20% of the population — 
who share all the benefits of 
Israeli society.
Israeli Arabs are currently 
represented in the Knesset 
by two political parties, one 
of which is an Islamist party 
that was part of the outgoing 
government. An Arab Muslim 
judge serves on Israel’s Supreme 
Court. An Arab Christian also 
served as a Supreme Court 
justice and was chair of Israel’s 

Central Elections Committee.
An Arab Muslim is the head 
of Bank Leumi, Israel’s largest 
bank. Arabs also make up 30% 
of the country’s doctors and 
50% of the country’s pharma-
cists.
Thousands of Israeli Arabs 
volunteer for service in the 
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), 
even though military service is 
not required of Arab Muslims 
or Christians.
So much for the myth of 
Israeli apartheid.
Israel is the Middle East’s 
most diverse nation and one 
of the world’s most diverse 
nations. In fact, the over-
whelming majority of its 
population are people of color 
— including more than half of 
Israeli Jews, who mostly hail 
from Africa and the Middle 
East.
The IDF is also extreme-
ly diverse, boasting service 
members from 73 nations and 
a Muslim holding the rank of 
major.
Israel protects freedom of 
religion. Unlike most of its 
Middle East neighbors, all reli-
gions — including all branches 
of Judaism — are welcome, 
and Israel is the only Middle 

Eastern country in which 
Christians are growing in num-
bers. Israel also hosts the world 
headquarters of the Bahai faith.
Israel believes in and practic-
es full social equality. Women 
enjoy complete freedom, serve 
in all levels of government and 
business, and even participate 
in the military draft. The IDF 
has six female brigadier gener-
als and a female fighter pilot.
Abortion is legal in Israel. 
There are no state restrictions 
on racial or religious intermar-
riage. Same-sex marriages are 
recognized by the legal system. 
This was the case nine years 
before same-sex marriage was 
legalized in the U.S. In addi-
tion, while the abusive practice 
of “conversion therapy” for 
members of the LGBT com-
munity is still legal in some 
parts of the U.S., it is banned in 
Israel.
While homosexuality and 
sexual diversity are either 
outlawed or severely censured 
in almost all Middle Eastern 
countries, Israel hosts some of 
the largest and liveliest celebra-
tions of LGBT life in the world. 
Tel Aviv is rightfully dubbed 
the Gay Capital of the Middle 
East.

Israel even grants asylum to 
members of the LGBT commu-
nity living in areas under the 
jurisdiction of the Palestinian 
Authority, where there is harsh, 
often violent punishment of 
sexual minorities, and no legis-
lation to protect their rights.
Israel is an exemplary citizen 
in the community of nations. 
In the face of natural disas-
ters worldwide — hurricanes, 
earthquakes, tsunamis — the 
Jewish state’s response with 
medical help and food supplies 
is unparalleled. Tiny Israel is 
usually one of the first coun-
tries to send aid.
The IDF observes some of 
the strictest rules of engage-
ment in the world in order to 
protect civilians in war zones. 
Such policies often put IDF 
troops at risk by sending them 
on the ground into dangerous 
areas rather than employing 
tactics like carpet bombing, 
which could lead to the deaths 
of many innocents.
Alleged violations of the 
IDF’s rules of engagement by 
soldiers — such as the death of 
journalist Shireen Abu Akleh 
— are seriously investigated 
and severely punished when 
proven, which Akleh’s was not.
Finally, Israel is far from a 
colonial settler state. It was 
founded by indigenous Jews 
returning to their homeland in 
opposition to colonial rule, and 
its founding was legitimized 
under international law by the 
United Nations.
Israel also strictly adheres 
to the letter of the interna-
tional protocols and treaties to 
which it is a party. For exam-
ple, despite constant lies that 

James 
Sinkinson
JNS.org