Fair and free elections. Progressive lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. Concern for the environment. Equal rights for women. These phrases describe only one country in the Middle East: Israel. While many around the world focus on Israel’s relations with other states and its image to the outside world, it is also important to remember what life is like inside of Israel.
Citizens of Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish, enjoy human rights and civil liberties as much as those in any other democracy. Israel began as a young country of immigrants working together to build a Jewish homeland that was tolerant of others. They succeeded in creating an independent democracy that respects all religions and cultures while serving as an example of a nation that maintains civil rights and freedoms for its citizens, even when faced with terrorism.
On this anniversary of independence, we encourage the campus to look more closely at the values Israel represents. The media often overlooks the fact that Israel is one of the most socially and environmentally progressive countries in the world. It is a country where men and women are treated equally, tens of thousands march through the streets in the annual LGBT pride parade, and, every year, a net gain of trees is recorded. It is a country with an open press that encourages constructive criticism and a government that includes representatives from all segments of Israeli society ““ Jewish and non-Jewish.
Of course, Israel is not perfect. It is still a young country struggling with important challenges such as how to integrate the Arab minority in a way that will help both communities improve, how to cope with a looming water shortage, and how to absorb thousands of immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Given these serious challenges and security threats, Israel could have ignored the need for civil liberties. Instead, Israel respects its citizens’ rights while continuing to work toward the ultimate goal of peace with all its neighbors.
Israel was built by people who suffered at the hands of others and who worked to build the country as a safe haven from discrimination and hatred. Israelis acutely understand the need for a secure home for people who live in danger and have extended their hands to those in need. There are currently more than 1,000 refugees from Darfur who are living in Israel, and the Israeli Ministry of the Interior is working to grant hundreds of them citizenship. This diverse and vibrant society has given a voice to the powerless, a refuge to the persecuted. It is true that Israel can’t let in every refugee, but it does more than its share to alleviate world suffering. This tiny nation opens its arms to people in danger and sends humanitarian aid around the world. In fact, Israel is currently preparing a highly trained search-and-rescue team and doctors and nurses to send to Myanmar to aid in the aftermath of the recent deadly cyclone.
Today we are truly celebrating a miracle ““ not only the miracle of survival against all odds, but the miracle of thriving and developing into a tolerant and free society that has given so much to the world in just 60 years. We hope that, in the years to come, Israel will continue to serve as an example of tolerance and progress and that the campus community will join us in celebrating this special day: Israel’s 60th anniversary.
Niku is a fourth-year political science student and president of Bruins for Israel. Solymani is a fourth-year psychobiology student and secretary of Bruins for Israel.