Israel emerged with one army under a single command, loyal to the state. This unity, achieved via the ruthlessness of the moderates and the restraint of the extremists, allowed the country to develop the social solidarity to hold off repeated invasions, integrate hundreds of thousands of refugees, liberate Jerusalem and stand firm against terrorism—all while flourishing as a democracy.

Stirring, but false.
The vast majority of Israeli Jews did not come to Israel to exchange their Jewish faith and morality for a Marxist utopian dream. The socialists – always political critters at their core – were the extremists, and they grabbed power ruthlessly. Their repeated betrayal and murder of fellow Jews broke a natural taboo deepened by centuries of oppression.

The Left’s condescension and racism towards other Jewish groups – combined with pursuit of Leftie kumbaya political fantasies in a very dangerous neighborhood – has led to their demise. Israelis were raised on the Establishment’s self-serving myths (some of them repeated in the WSJ article) – but have been “red pilled” and grown disenchanted over the years.

The current Leftie efforts to block basic, obvious judicial reforms betray their total lack of commitment to the fundamental social covenants of Democracy. It has always been about power and ideology for them. This is now clearer than ever to a majority of Israelis.

It is most telling that the Lefties imported a contingent of “Handmaid’s Tale” protesters in bonnets and red robes… They are desperately trying to distract people from their own lack of scruples by screeching that without them, Israel will become a benighted theocracy.

But without them Israel will just become freer – as it became more economically free under the Likud – and more democratic.

There ya go, twas ever thus it seems. No matter your stance you run the risk of being slammed. I stay out of it.

Yes, but “bob sykes” is not interested in promoting the survival of Israel.

Thank you Kate – When I hear people talk about the “right to return” in reference to Palestinians “kicked out of” Israel; I say “sure, let’s support the right to return, but make sure that it is a 2-way street.” In other words, the right to return (or financial compensation) shouldn’t just be about Palestinians who fled Israel but also Jews who fled across the Middle East, and elsewhere, to the safety of Israel.

There is also a reason why there are no Jewish refugee camps like there are Palestinian refugee camps in that the neighboring Arab countries, despite all the clamoring for the Palestinians, don’t really care enough to help take them in; Israel did and continues to take in Jewish refugees where ever they come from. These refugees to Israel become viable, integral, welcomed members of Israeli society. The Israeli attitude is very much a “whatever you have been through, where ever you have come from, you are home now. Welcome home!”

Aside from Jordan, the neighboring countries won’t do the same for Palestinian refugees.