MAY 11 • 2023 | 11

tion. This stunning event fol-
lows repeated public criticism 
of the Saudis by President 
Biden over the Khashoggi 
killing. Riyadh reacted to 
Biden’s hostility 
and softening of 
American sup-
port. 
The growing 
influence of 
China and Russia 
in the Middle 
East does not 
bode well for 
Israel or the USA. 
Furthermore, 
Israel, unlike any 
other country, faces the exis-
tential threat of annihilation. 
A soon-to-be nuclear Iran, 
which openly proclaims to the 
world its intention to destroy 
Israel, remains a challenge. The 
sophisticated Israeli military 
is, however, addressing these 
challenges. Israel has repeat-
edly agreed to the existence 
of a Palestinian state but only 
if Palestinians agree to live 
permanently at peace next to 
Israel and not replace it. 
Israelis, despite the argu-
ments and division, recognize 
the incredible achievements 
of the Jewish state. Israel is 
among the freest countries in 
the world, where religious free-
dom, free speech (as witnessed 
by the massive recent protests) 
human and civil rights are 
protected. Israel is the only 
place in the Middle East with 
a growing Christian popula-
tion, expanding by roughly 
2% annually. Israel is the only 
place in the Middle East where 
the LGBTQ community can 
live without fear of oppression. 
Israel is a world leader in 
high-tech and research and 
development, spending nearly 
5% of GDP on innovation. 
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) 
has been called the most moral 

army in the Middle East, if not 
worldwide. While Palestinian 
propaganda seeks to portray 
Israel as being colonialist, 
Israel represents, more than 
anything, the 
return of an 
indigenous peo-
ple to their own 
land.
Israel has come 
a long way from 
the early days. Its 
GDP per capita 
income rose from 
around $7,000 in 
1948 to $52,170 
(2021). 
Seventy-five years into 
Israel’s existence, the Jewish 
state is not merely surviving, it 
is thriving. 
Although I miss the 
intimacy that typified the 
Israeli society of my youth, 
Israel today is a more mature, 
highly developed nation. There 
are still unsolved domestic and 
external problems, including 
the cost of living and achieving 
the yearned for peace with all 
its neighbors. However, success 
came at a price in blood: 
24,213 Israelis who died in 
defense of the Jewish state and 
4,255 victims of terror. 
It is fitting to recall 
Israel’s beloved poet Nathan 
Alterman’s famous poem: “Full 
of endless fatigue and unrested, 
yet the dew of their youth is 
still seen on their head, thus 
they stand at attention, giving 
no sign of life or death, then a 
nation in tears and amazement 
will ask: Who are you? And 
they will answer quietly, “We 
are the silver platter on which 
the Jewish state was given.” 
So, Happy 75th birthday, 
Israel! 

Joseph Puder, a freelance journalist, is 

founder and executive director of the 

Interfaith Taskforce for America and 

Israel (ITAI).

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

What Is

Your Plan?.....

Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 

and Administration. Administering 

estates where everyone is on the same 

page. Protecting you from self-dealing 

parties appointed by will, trust or the 

court. Protecting you from family 

members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

The Probate Law Firm of

The Probate Law 
Firm of

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is
Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110

Southfield, MI 48034

1-248-945-1111

24725 West 12 Mile – Ste. 110
Southfield, MI 48034
1-248-945-1111

What Is
Your Plan?.....
Call Us.

We focus on Probate Litigation 
and Administration. Administering 
estates where everyone is on the same 
page. Protecting you from self-dealing 
parties appointed by will, trust or the 
court. Protecting you from family 
members who always want more.

michprobate.com

Don’t have the time
Don’t have the money
Don’t know where to 
go to get it done.

We are answering all the questions for 
you today. It’s fast, It’s free and It’s on 
our website. 

Make a FREE WILL at our website 
www.michprobate.com 

You know everyone keeps telling you 
to, get it done today. 

