Israelis feel worn down by a paradox that they experience every day: they are expected to stand on the front line against terrorists, yet they are simultaneously subjected to intense global criticism, suspicion, and even hatred. That tension creates a sense of exhaustion that is deeply personal. I have seen symptoms of this for many years when speaking with Israelis, but the symptoms have never been more apparent than they are now that a military confrontation with Iran may be approaching.

The burden of being treated as a global shield

For decades, Israel has confronted organizations (Hamas, Hezbollah, the Iranian regime, and others) that openly declare that their goal is the destruction of Israel and the killing of its citizens. Israelis know that, whether the world admits it or not, these groups threaten not only Israel but also broader international stability. When Israel intercepts weapons shipments, disrupts terror financing networks, or conducts operations against terrorists, many Israelis see these actions as part of a larger struggle that benefits other countries as well.

Yet the global response rarely reflects gratitude or even acknowledgment. Instead, Israelis hear unfair and false accusations of disproportionate force, colonialism, and genocide. The sense of being expected to fight a battle that others prefer to avoid — while being condemned for the way they fight it — creates a feeling of being used rather than supported. Israel is doing all the work, taking all the risks, and suffering all the hatred while their supposed friends and allies take the positions and actions that are most convenient to themselves, which often translates to harsh criticism of Israel and even unwarranted sympathy for Israel’s attackers.

The expectation that Israel will do most of the work and take the biggest risks is sometimes even explicitly stated. On February 26, 2026, while the US is still negotiating with the Iranian regime, “Senior advisors to US President Donald Trump” have expressed their preference that Israel would strike Iran first because “the politics are a lot better if the Israelis go first and alone and the Iranians retaliate against us, and give us more reason to take action.” But what if Iran only retaliates against Israel? Then the risk is all on Israelis apparently.

Living under threat while being judged from afar

Another source of fatigue and frustration for Israelis comes from the gap between lived experience and outside perception. Israelis live with rocket sirens, bomb shelters, mandatory military service, and the constant possibility of sudden violence. These realities shape their worldview in ways that can be difficult for outsiders to understand.

When people who have never experienced these pressures issue sweeping moral judgments, Israelis often feel demonized. Criticism that ignores the context of Israel’s responses to terrorism or that treats Israel as the aggressor rather than the victim, feels not only inaccurate but dehumanizing. It suggests that Israeli fears, traumas, and losses are less legitimate than those of others.

Beyond political critique, many Israelis encounter outright hatred: boycotts, calls for the country’s destruction, and antisemitic violence against Jews. Israelis see their national identity portrayed as inherently evil, their history dismissed, and their security concerns mocked.

This hostility is not abstract. It affects how Israelis feel when they travel abroad, how their children are treated on campuses, and how Jewish communities worldwide are targeted.

A recurring frustration is the perception that Israel is judged by standards applied to no other country. Many Israelis point out that other democracies fighting terrorism — whether the US in Afghanistan, France in Mali, or Turkey against Kurdish militants — have caused civilian casualties, restricted movement, or used overwhelming force. Yet Israel often receives uniquely intense scrutiny, sometimes accompanied by misinformation or selective outrage.

This double standard reinforces the feeling that the world’s expectations are not rooted in universal principles but in political convenience. Israelis feel they are asked to be perfect in situations where perfection is impossible.

Israelis are not asking the world to agree with every policy or military decision. They are asking for recognition that the situation is complex, that they face real threats, and that they are human beings trying to navigate impossible choices.

Israelis just want peace

I have absolutely no doubt that most Israelis would accept a two-state solution tomorrow if they believed that it would lead to real peace. However, decades of hatred directed at them and rejections of two-state solutions by the Palestinians tell them that this “solution” is a fantasy promoted only by people who live elsewhere and don’t care about the consequences if that experiment fails.

When the world demands that Israel defend itself with absolute restraint and make concessions to its attackers while ignoring the brutality of the groups attacking it, Israelis feel abandoned. When the world condemns them without acknowledging their trauma, they feel erased. And when the world expects them to fight terrorism on its behalf while offering little solidarity, they feel exploited.

The message that Israelis hear is: “Protect us from terrorism, but don’t expect empathy when you suffer.” Over time, that message becomes exhausting.

Israelis don’t want to be the world’s shield, nor do they want to be world’s punching bag. They just want to live in peace in their little country. That’s all that most Israelis have ever wanted. Is that really too much to ask?

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)