Five Reasons to Rejoice
by Michael Freund
The Jerusalem Post, November 16, 2001

With each passing day, the bad news seems to mount, 
pounding away at our senses and giving us no rest. 
A passenger bus is sprayed with gunfire in Jerusalem, 
roadblocks go up in the Sharon, and government ministers 
are evacuated from their homes for fear of being 
assassinated by terrorists.

Various labor unions are on strike (though no one can 
figure out why), unemployment is soaring, taxes are high, 
people are rude, and my hairline continues to recede. 

In states across America, fluoride is added to the water 
system to ensure a higher degree of dental health. Perhaps 
the time has come for Israel to dump some Prozac into the 
Kinneret, if only to safeguard our mental wellbeing.

But as bad as things might be, and they most certainly are, 
this country still has a lot for going for it. And that is 
something that we do not always appreciate as much, or as 
frequently, as we should.

So, in the hopes of lifting your spirits (at least until 
the next news broadcast, that is), here are five good 
reasons for rejoicing:

1) Israel is full of heroes - We so easily forget it, but 
the fact is that every morning, thousands of young men and 
women across the country don uniforms and bravely go out 
to defend the Jewish people. Some stand guard at our malls 
and our bus stations, while others slip behind enemy lines 
to capture wanted terrorists. Every day of the week, they 
risk their lives, young and precious lives that have yet 
to enjoy all that the world has to offer. Despite the dangers, 
there have been no mass desertions, no hordes of young 
people taking to the streets and refusing to serve their 
country. The much-maligned younger generation has shown 
itself ready and willing to answer the call of duty. And 
that is something that should give us all reason to hope 
for the future. 

2) Aliyah proceeds apace - Thousands of new immigrants are 
still arriving in Israel, from places as diverse as Australia, 
France, South Africa, the former Soviet Union and the United 
States. It is forecast that by the end of the year, a total 
of 45,000 new immigrants will have arrived in Israel in 2001 - 
an average of over 120 newcomers per day. While these numbers
may be lower than those of a decade ago, they nevertheless 
demonstrate that Israel remains an appealing place to live, 
one that attracts Jews from all over the world. The ingathering 
of the exiles continues. 

3) The people are largely united - the ongoing Palestinian 
terror campaign of the past year has caused an immense 
amount of pain and bloodshed, with the toll in human lives 
devastatingly high. But it has also united the people for 
the first time in a decade, creating a solid consensus
regarding the failure of Oslo and the need for Israel to 
defend itself. Our strength as a people has always been 
rooted in our ability to pull together in times of crisis. 
Though difficult days may still lie ahead, we can at least 
take comfort in the knowledge that whatever challenges we
might face, we will do so united and determined to survive.

4) Economic prosperity - though the current recession is 
far from over, Israel remains an economically vibrant and 
promising place. Per capita GDP is higher than that of 
countries such as Spain, Portugal and New Zealand, and 
Israel continues to be a world leader in areas such as 
biotechnology and telecommunications. Despite a dearth of 
natural resources, a heavy defense burden and persistent 
political instability, Israel has still managed to economically 
outstrip all of its Arab neighbors. Not bad for a country 
that was busy draining swamps only a few short decades ago.

5) Jewish life is thriving - Just five decades after the 
Holocaust, our nation’s customs and traditions are flourishing 
once again. Tens of thousands of young Jews are studying 
the ancient texts of our people, delving into the splendor 
of our heritage. Theaters, concerts and museums provide a 
rich and rewarding cultural life, brimming with creativity 
and inventiveness. Jews are again speaking Hebrew, the revival 
of which is symbolic of our own rebirth as a sovereign nation.

Yes, the past year has given us plenty of cause for despair, 
leading some to suggest that our new national motto should be 
"Am Yisrael Cry". But such an approach is not only shortsighted - 
it is counterproductive, too. So don't let the news get you 
down more than necessary, because we have plenty to be 
grateful for. After all, despite our enemies' best efforts,
we are still here, able to declare: "Am Yisrael Chai" - the 
nation of Israel lives. 

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The writer served as Deputy Director of Communications & 
Policy Planning in the Prime Minister's Office from 1996 to 
1999.