Why Are Israelis So Happy?

June 18 2015

A recent global study ranks 158 countries in order of the overall happiness of their inhabitants; Israel ranked eleventh—ahead of the U.S., France, and Britain. Aaron David Miller speculates as to why this might be:

[There] is [a] very strong sense of identity that . . . seems to shape the way Israelis look at themselves and the rest of the world. Amidst all the fractiousness and divisiveness, the secular and religious divide, the crudeness of political life, and the unresolved Palestinian problem, there’s still among Israelis I have met over the years a real sense of purpose, community, and pride of accomplishment. So perhaps what at first appears counterintuitive really isn’t.

Nahum Barnea, perhaps one of the keenest observers of Israeli politics and a guy who’s fully attuned to the tremendous challenges facing his country, argues in [a] recent article that this sense of involvement and participation is key. Sure, life in Denmark “is happy: relaxed, leisurely, stable. In Israel, on the other hand, life is good: interesting, dynamic, calling for involvement. Most Israelis, it seems, prefer the good life.”

Read more at Foreign Policy

More about: Community, Denmark, Happiness, Israel & Zionism

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait