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Democracy at Work: Supporting Israel Regardless of Its Government

(Gatestone Institute) Alan M. Dershowitz - It is important to continue to support Israel even if one disagrees with some policies of a particular government. One's support for Israel should not vary with whether one agrees or disagrees with the outcome of a particular election, any more than one's support for the U.S. depends on whether Democrats or Republican are in control. Being a Zionist means that one strongly believes in the concept of a secure and democratic nation-state for the Jewish people. One can continue to support the security of Israel against external enemies such as Iran, as well as terrorists such as Hamas and Hizbullah. One can continue to invest in its economy. And one can continue to defend it on campuses against false accusations. One need not threaten to abandon Israel if the Israeli government adopts policies with which one strongly disagrees. As then-President Bill Clinton once complained: "Israel is a democracy, damn it!" His point was that he could simply call the leader of a non-democratic ally and tell him what do. He could not do that to Israel, where the citizens decide what their government should do. Look at the big picture: no country has contributed more to the world in its first three quarters of a century than has Israel; no country faced with dangers comparable to those faced by Israel has had a better record of human rights, compliance with the rule of law and concern for enemy civilians than Israel. Support for the only democracy in the Middle East should remain constant. The writer is Professor of Law, Emeritus, at Harvard Law School.
2022-12-15 00:00:00
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