A lot happened this week in Israel. About 25,000 runners hit the streets of Tel Aviv in the city’s annual marathon, a new leader for the centrist Kadima political party was elected, an Israeli researcher was named Europe’s top young researcher, and much more.
Simultaneously, the military was preparing for what was thought could be a massive march on Israel’s borders, violent protests in the West Bank and Gaza, there was at least one thwarted attack from Gaza and on the diplomatic front Israel stood up to inappropriately named UN Human Rights Council which abandoned its mission of safeguarding human rights in order to demonize Israel.
These two seemingly conflicting chain of events serve to prove one thing- that no amount of illegitimate, illegal and violent attacks against Israel can stop the country and the people from thriving. By trusting in a strong national defense, a vibrant democratic process, individual accomplishments and the collective spirit, Israelis know they can triumph over any challenges.
This is how Israel can continue to flourish despite the unique, unprecedented and unrelenting challenges it faces. Israelis may disagree among themselves on government policies and such. However, knowing that they have a right to the land, a right to a free and prosperous life, and a generous and innovative spirit that supports the basic principles of democracy and humanitarianism, gives Israelis the wherewithal to understand that illegitimate and immoral attacks against them are ultimately doomed to fail.
Photo credit: Tel Aviv Marathon
