CAN A JEW BE CRITICAL OF ISRAEL?

I was recently charged with never uttering a critical word about Israel. That made me chuckle because as far as I am concerned, I’m always critical of Israel. And that’s good because being critical is about reflection, assessment, objectives, success and failure and all the criteria that would make for a fair and honest evaluation. Above all, criticism underscores one of the ideological foundations of Israel—the fact that it is a free society and that people can say pretty much whatever they want to with impunity.

I think the problem is really most people haven’t the foggiest idea of what true criticism actually is. They think criticism and immediately think complaint, disapproval, or accusation when, in fact, true criticism involves that and that which is praiseworthy, commendable, or laudable. Sometimes critics see plays that they actually like. When they shower compliments on some production, it’s not because they have temporarily abandoned their professional duty—approval is actually a part of criticism. In fact, you can almost be sure when the critical perspective has been abandoned in listening to a perspective or review which contains nothing but complaint, disapproval or accusation. That’s not real criticism unless, of course, you’re reviewing hell.

Most of what passes as criticism of Israel these days is thinly veiled anti-Semitism. That statement itself would raise the ire of many claiming that anytime criticism is voiced, the critic runs the risk of being called anti-Semitic. But the fact is that when criticism emanates from a worldview which sees Israel as a European colonial power, an intrusion into the Middle East, an apartheid state, deserving of annihilation, that’s not criticism. You better love the object of your critical eye. If you don’t, your words will not be criticism but they will be hostile and hateful.

Israel is a beautiful country with a host of imperfections and shortcomings. The Orthodox are given way too much money in return for so many refusing to serve in the army; minority parties are given way too much power due to Israel’s peculiar democratic structure; and in this land of milk and honey, there are still way too many children who go to bad each night without so much as a glass of milk. Forget about the honey. And yet, at 62 years of age, surrounded by a persistent and invidious Arab belligerence, Israel has achieved technological, pharmaceutical, and medical breakthroughs that few other countries can lay claim to. It’s an amazing and magical little country. To walk its streets and alleys is to feel the energy of thinking and vibrant people, as well as a loving and compassionate God.

I’m critical of Israel. But being critical is not, by definition, being negative. Sometimes you can actually like what you see. I see Israel and I love her. If you ever go to Israel, you’ll fall in love with her too. Be a critic.