This week, Israel marked its 78th Independence Day. For me, it was not an abstract commemoration—it was something lived, witnessed, and deeply felt across two distinct yet connected moments.

At my grandchild’s school, children marched with Israeli flags, singing with unrestrained joy. Their confidence was unmistakable. These were not children burdened by history; they were growing into it—embracing Jewish sovereignty as natural, rightful, and alive.

Later, in synagogue, the atmosphere shifted. Celebration gave way to reflection. IDF soldiers—men and women who have carried the security of this nation through the long shadows of the post-October 7 era—shared their experiences. Their stories were marked by courage and loss, but mostly by a quiet, steady resolve. Their words made one truth clear: Israel’s independence is not simply remembered; it is defended every day by those willing to carry its weight.

The day ended as many Jewish days do: with food, conversation, and community. Simple moments—falafel shared among friends—yet infused with extraordinary continuity. Together, these experiences define Israel at 78: joy and vigilance, innocence and responsibility, held together in a single national reality.

A Restoration That Defies History

Israel’s rebirth stands as one of the most extraordinary national restorations in human history. It is the return of a people to sovereignty in their ancestral homeland after nearly two thousand years of displacement.

From the destruction of the Temple to the horrors of the 20th century, Jewish history was long defined by endurance under relentless pressure. Yet Israel represents far more than mere survival. It is a restoration of dignity and agency—the fundamental right of a people to determine its own future. For a people repeatedly told they would disappear, Israel stands as a permanent and undeniable answer.

Celebration Amid Challenge

Even in celebration, reality remains unfinished. Across parts of the world, calls to erase Israel—whether through slogans or violence—are increasingly normalized. We must be clear: these are not expressions of peace. They are rejections of Jewish sovereignty itself.

Clarity matters. Israel, like any vibrant democracy, must be open to criticism and internal debate. That is a strength, not a weakness. But there is a line that must remain firm. Criticism of policy is legitimate; denial of existence is not. Too often, Israel is judged by standards applied to no other nation, where endless scrutiny and critique are used as a veil for something far more dangerous.

Support for Israel does not require agreement with every government decision. It requires recognition of a basic truth: the Jewish people, like all peoples, have the right to self-determination in their historic homeland.

The Ethic of Teshuvah

Jewish tradition is rooted in a “culture of questioning” and emphasizes moral responsibility. Israel reflects that tradition—imperfect, self-critical, and constantly evolving, embodying the values of moral responsibility and the ongoing quest for ethical self-examination. But one principle is not subject to debate: no nation should be forced to justify its right to exist.

A story shared by a soldier recently captured something essential. He spoke of a man who repeatedly returned to receive charity; when questioned, a rabbi explained that human beings are meant to return, again and again—to seek, to grow, to begin anew.

This is teshuvah: not perfection, but return. Not flawlessness, but responsibility. It is this ethic that has sustained the Jewish people through centuries of exile and decades of statehood.

The Road to 80: A Vision for the Future

As Israel approaches its 80th year, the defining question is not only what we have achieved, but also what we are becoming. Our vision must be clear:

Peace Through Strength: We envision a nation that secures its future through absolute resolve. Security is the foundation upon which peace is built; by maintaining an unwavering spirit, Israel ensures that stability becomes the only viable path forward for the region.

Peace Through Strength: We envision a nation that secures its future through absolute resolve. Security is the foundation upon which peace is built; by maintaining an unwavering spirit, Israel ensures that stability becomes the only viable path forward for the region.

A Resilience-Driven Democracy: We see an Israel strengthened by its internal diversity. A society that confronts its challenges with mutual respect, ensuring that the democratic foundations of the state remain unshakable for future generations.

A Resilience-Driven Democracy: We see an Israel strengthened by its internal diversity. A society that confronts its challenges with mutual respect, ensuring that the democratic foundations of the state remain unshakable for future generations.

Prosperity Rooted in Tikkun Olam: Israel will continue to lead as a global hub of innovation, where technological and economic brilliance is harnessed to “repair the world.” By exporting solutions for water scarcity, food security, and medical breakthroughs, we fulfill our mandate to be a source of global progress, ensuring our national prosperity serves the common good.

Prosperity Rooted in Tikkun Olam: Israel will continue to lead as a global hub of innovation, where technological and economic brilliance is harnessed to “repair the world.” By exporting solutions for water scarcity, food security, and medical breakthroughs, we fulfill our mandate to be a source of global progress, ensuring our national prosperity serves the common good.

Regional Cooperation: We envision an Israel fully integrated into a dynamic and evolving Middle East. Through confident and forward-looking diplomacy, Israel stands as an indispensable partner—advancing a future shaped by cooperation, shared purpose, and mutual benefit.

Regional Cooperation: We envision an Israel fully integrated into a dynamic and evolving Middle East. Through confident and forward-looking diplomacy, Israel stands as an indispensable partner—advancing a future shaped by cooperation, shared purpose, and mutual benefit.

Unbroken Identity and Universal Dignity: Our future is rooted in an eternal connection to our land, faith, and history. We envision a people unapologetically secure in their heritage, using that strength to extend dignity and humanity to all who live alongside them, standing as a living testament to moral clarity.

Unbroken Identity and Universal Dignity: Our future is rooted in an eternal connection to our land, faith, and history. We envision a people unapologetically secure in their heritage, using that strength to extend dignity and humanity to all who live alongside them, standing as a living testament to moral clarity.

Rooted and Unyielding

The Jewish story did not end in exile—it blazes forth in sovereignty. Israel will always pursue peace, but it will never accept erasure or barter its legitimacy for anyone’s approval.

At 78, Israel is more than a refuge; it is the living heart of a people. At 80 and beyond, the goal remains flourishing: a nation secure in its borders, confident in its identity, and unwavering in its moral purpose.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)