I was inspired to write these words after listening to the Unpacking Israeli History podcast with guest Scott Galloway where he discussed his personal connection to Judaism, the rise of antisemitism, and the challenges facing Israel and the Jewish people in the post–October 7 era.

For those who have not heard his name before, Scott Galloway is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and marketing professor known for his sharp analysis of technology, business, and societal trends. Through his books, public speaking, and podcasts, he has become one of the most influential commentators on the intersection of economics, culture, and public policy.

One argument that resonated with me when I was listening to this podcast was that Israel has often won wars on the battlefield but lost the battle for public perception. He distinguishes between kinetic victories (military success) and memetic victories (winning the story and public narrative), a mistake Israel has repeatedly struggled with. He equated it to a term those in the tech world are very familiar with, a “bug.”  He argued that Israel needs to return to becoming  (a tech term again) a  “feature.”

For much of its modern history, Israel has occupied a unique place in the imagination of the world. It was seen as the startup nation, the desert made to bloom, the refuge of persecuted people, and the embodiment of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Today, however, something has changed.

For millions of people especially younger audiences in the West, Israel is increasingly viewed not as a feature of the global landscape but as a bug in the system. A problem to be solved. An inconvenience to progressive ideals. A country whose very existence is often framed as an obstacle rather than an achievement.

The question is not whether this perception is fair. The question is how we got here. More importantly, how we change it.

When the Narrative Changes

In........

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