Writing in Canada’s National Post, Gil Troy summarizes the story of Israel’s creation, and enumerates seven “remarkable achievements” of Zionism:
First, after millennia of homelessness, the Jews re-established sovereignty over their homeland. Second, Israel has integrated three million immigrants since 1948, mostly refugees fleeing from persecution in post-Nazi Europe, the Arab lands, Ethiopia, and the former Soviet Union.
Third, the Jews returned to history, as full participants, sometimes facing complex dilemmas, but no longer victims. Fourth, Israel’s Western-style capitalist democracy maintains a strong Jewish flavor, expressed in the holidays, the traditions, and the Jewish national culture, while guaranteeing all citizens equal rights.
Fifth, Herzl’s vision of an Altneuland, an “old-new land,” balances traditional values with trend-setting culture. Sixth, the once-dormant Hebrew language has become alive again. And finally, for all its challenges, Israel revolutionized the Jews’ image—and self-image—worldwide.
Israel remains a project-in-formation. Like Canada, Israel is one of the world’s few democracies, guaranteeing regular votes and permanent rights to every citizen. And for most Jews, especially Canadian Jews, Israel remains a favorite destination, a point of pride and their greatest collective endeavor in the world today.
Read more on National Post: https://nationalpost.com/feature/history-israel-at-75