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Click here for Page 1: Quotes until 1874!
Click here for Page 2: Quotes from 1875 to 1941!
Click here for Page 3: Quotes from 1942 to 1954!
Click here for Page 4: Quotes from 1855 to 1970!
You are now on Page 5: Quotes from 1971 onwards.
*NEW* Click here for Page 6: Quotes by Jewish people!
“Standing up for Israel is more than just standing up for her security, it is also standing up for the very values and ideals that our two countries share: democracy, openness, tolerance, compassion, respect for the rule of law and, perhaps above all, the quest for peace. In this regard I want to reiterate: the Liberal Party of Canada will have Israel’s back. Not because it’s in our political interests to do so at home, but because it is the right thing to do. (…) Across party lines we must support Israel, which after all is the only true democracy in a difficult and all too often hostile region of the world. Canada must always remain a steadfast and true friend to Israel. The only way to accomplish that goal is to make sure that, regardless of our differences on other issues, all Canadian political parties are united in our support for a safe, secure and prosperous State of Israel.”
– Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada (Liberal). 1971 AD
Shalom Toronto Weekly Newspaper: April 2014.
“I support the Jewish people's right to live freely and without fear, and condemn anti-semitism. I would also like to acknowledge your loyalty and support for the Israeli and Australian defence forces.“
– Jacqui Lambie, Australian Aboriginal (Palawa) Senator for Tasmania (UAP). 1971 AD
"They just fucking got 50-caliber fucking guns in Israel. They don't give a fuck. They'll unload on anybody. 'Fuck with us? We'll fuck you up.' That's my motto in life. 'Be nice to everybody, but if somebody fucks with you, FUUUUCK them up'.”
– Robert “Kid Rock” Ritchie, US musician and actor from Michigan. 1971 AD
Kid Rock Loves Jews, Guns. In: New York Magazine. January 4 2008.
“We have a national security interest in making sure Israel is strong, and we have a moral obligation to keep the promise made in the wake of the Holocaust for a safe and secure nation for the Jewish people. (…) Israel is exactly what America wants and needs as an ally, especially in the Middle East. They are a strong free-market democracy, something we desperately need more of in the region. Israel deserves our support and respect.”
– Marco Rubio, Cuban-American Secretary of State (GOP). 1971 AD
Rubio Campaign Press Release - Supporting And Safeguarding The Jewish State October 14, 2015.
“Nearly 70 years have past since the Holocaust. This cruel chapter in German history was followed by reconciliation, partnership and friendship, as Israel gave Germany the gift of trusting it again, and we are grateful for that. (…) Germany stands by Israel and consistently defends its security and right to exist. This position is a cornerstone of German foreign policy.”
– David McAllister, Scottish-German Prime Minister of Lower Saxony (CDU). 1971 AD
McAllister, D. (2012): Germany stands by Israel. In: YNet News. 08.31.12, 17:07.
“We truly believe in the importance of this relationship, and the good thing is that most of the Greek population today believes that Israel is the only true ally of Greece in the region, because we have common threats and we share common values. Israel is the only western democracy in the Middle East, so it is the only country with which we can speak in a common language. The future of the relations between the two countries is looking bright. First of all, in the field of technology. Israel is probably the leading country in the field of technological innovation, and we are interested in developing greater cooperation between the University of Thessaloniki and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. In tourism, as well.”
– Adonis Georgiadis, Greek Minister for Development and Investment (LAOS). 1971 AD
Beck, E. (2019): 'Most Greeks believe Israel is our only true ally in the region'. In: Israel haYom. 07-26-2019. 10:18.
“Israel is a western country, a democracy and a state under rule of law in an explosive region. The country has persevered during the wars of 1948, 1967 and 1973 and has transformed a desert into a vegetable garden. It has a successful and innovative economy. And to indicate its international position: after the earthquake in Nepal, Israel was one of the first countries to be present there to aid people.”
– Raymond Knops, Dutch Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Affairs (CDA). 1971 AD
Plenair verslag Tweede Kamer, 85e vergadering. Woensdag 20 mei 2015. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Jewish people are not colonizers—Israel is their homeland. To deny the Jewish or Israeli connection to the land of Israel is akin to denying the massacres that happened in Australia against Aboriginal people. Both narratives are rooted in deep histories of suffering, resilience, and cultural survival. (…) Both peoples have faced conquest, displacement, and efforts to erase their presence, yet they have endured and continue to fight for recognition and justice. The Holocaust would never have happened if there had been no diaspora of Jews in other lands caused by thousands of years of conquest and expulsion. The Jews come from the ancient Kingdoms of Judea and Israel, and their return is not a colonialist act, but a restoration of their presence in their historical homeland, for which they had been yearning over the centuries."
– Nova Peris, Australian Aboriginal athlete and politician (Labor). 1971 AD
LinkedIn Post. October 2024.
“No country on earth better embodies the spirit of national self-determination - of a distinct nationhood for a people — than Israel. Over millennia, Jewish families have toasted one another with the words, ‘Next year in Jerusalem’. In 1948, it became a reality. (…) Israel’s very existence demonstrates that the western way of life is more rewarding than other, primitive forms, and is a repudiation of cultural relativism. Along with common law, property rights, women’s equality, liberalism and democracy in the space of a single generation, a new state turned desert into fertile land. Within two generations, high-tech business parks have sprung up in downtown Tel Aviv to rival anything in California. And what, meantime, of Israel’s neighbours? Precisely.”
– Douglas Carswell, Scottish/British MP (Conservative). 1971 AD
"Israel is amazing. It's beautiful and the people are just warm and engaging and full of life. (...) You know, there's just nothing to dislike about Israel, it's really an amazing place."
– Shannen Doherty, American actress. 1971 AD
AP Archive (2012): Actress Shannen Doherty helps to launch eyeglasses line in Israel. In: Youtube. 6 Sep 2012.
"The thing that really sticks out to me most on this trip [to Israel] is the Jewish identity and how the Jewish people have held on throughout the years to their faith, their hope, and their identity."
– Allan Houston, African-American basketball player. 1971 AD
Newman, J. (2009): 3-time NBA all-star Allan Houston shoots hoops with kids in Sderot. In: Jerusalem Post. August 30, 2009 05:20.
"I am a proud Israeli - along with many other non-Jewish Israelis such as Druze, Bahai, Bedouin, Christians and Muslims, who live in one of the most culturally diversified societies and the only true democracy in the Middle East."
– Ismail Khaldi, Bedouin-Israeli vice consul. 1971 AD
Dayan, J. (2010): Yes, Israel's a democracy. In: Los Angeles Times. May 27 2010, 12 AM.
“Two democracies and two modern economies mean ‘two western countries in the Middle East’. (…) Turks and Jews have a tendency to share a common vision, which comes from living together for centuries.”
– Deniz Tansi, Turkish professor. 1971 AD
Tansi, D. (2012): Turkish Israeli Relations. The Points of a Triangle. In: Reflections Turkey. 10/13/2012.
(BEWARE: The political party that Giertych is leader of has been accused of anti-Semitism)
“There is and will be no place for anti-Semitism in Poland. I like the Jewish nation and I can't see a reason why the [Israeli] ambassador doesn't like me.”
– Roman Giertych, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland (LPR). 1971 AD
BBC (2006): Israel anger over Polish minister. 10 July 2006.
“Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East, providing the US with a stable and dependable partner in a hostile region of the world. Israel faces many of the same threats confronting the US and we share a common interest in eradicating threats to peace worldwide. For these and other reasons, the US has an undeniably strong interest in defending Israel's national sovereignty and security. As a member of the US Senate, I will support Israel's right to defend itself. I will also support US efforts to protect Israel, given the close connection between Israel's national security and our own. I strongly support the maintenance of Israel's qualitative military edge and recognize the important role the US plays in assuring that this military superiority is maintained.”
– Mike Lee, American Senator from Tennessee. 1971 AD
“To me, Israel is a beacon of light. How can you not admire a country that prides itself in innovation, entrepreneurialism, democracy and pluralism? And our nations’ friendship is built on those shared values. (...) Visiting the country (...) I was struck by the energy of the place and the attitude of the people there when visiting the very different but immensely vibrant cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It became quickly apparent why this is a country that consistently punches above its weight; the belief in the power of technology to change lives. I also discovered that the Jewish state remarkably has a population the same size as London's, which puts its great achievements into scale. (...) It was a real eye-opener. I couldn’t help but be struck by its vibrancy, its energy, and its extraordinary achievements in a mere 70 years since its foundation. (...) Our friendship not only enriches the lives of Londoners but also helps keep us safer and healthier. Israeli tech and ingenuity impacts upon the lives of Londoners everyday - from the Waze navigation app to the Gett black cab app, and NHS prescription drugs to online banking.”
– Shaun Bailey, Jamaican-English member of the London Assembly (Conservative). 1971 AD
INFORMED MAGAZINE 2019/2020. Page 24-25. & CFI INFORMED MAGAZINE 2020/2021. Page 14-15.
“Israel is revered as a high-tech powerhouse, and leads the world in key areas including cyber security and health-tech. This Israeli ingenuity is now being harnessed to tackle the worldwide challenge of climate change and its cleantech sector has dramatically grown. (...) Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, is home to the fifth highest number of unicorns worldwide, and boasts one start-up for every 154 residents, but it is now also ranked second in the world for its Cleantech ecosystem according to Genome's Global Startup Ecosystem 2023. Israel's rate of investment for innovations dedicated to the fight against climate change outpaces international finances set aside for this field. (...) Israel has long-since embraced renewable resources. Its desalination programme remains one of the largest in the world, and over 90% of Israeli homes use solar power to heat their water. It is now also a requirement for non-residential buildings to be equipped with solar panels on their rooftops. Multiple Israeli companies are now pairing AI with renewable sources of energy, including solar. Israeli company XFloat has pioneered water management controls using AI, so that floating solar panels can accurately pinpoint and tilt towards the sun as it moves from dawn to dusk, similar to the mirrors swaying in the desert. Veev produces homes with 50% less carbon emissions compared to those built with traditional methods. StoreDot has innovated EV battery power. Watergen generates drinking water from the atmosphere. (...) Israel's drip irrigation and solar technologies have already made enormous contributions to the well-being of citizens across much of the developing world, including helping African countries to produce higher yields of essential crops, and the Jewish State is now seeing how invaluable it can be much closer to home.”
– Caroline Ansell, Scottish/British Conservative MP. 1971 AD
CFI INFORMED MAGAZINE 2023/2024. Page 29.
"Our foundation of values is based on the Judeo-Christian tradition. Furthermore, Germany possesses a special historical responsibility towards the State of Israel. Moreover, Israel is the only Western democracy in the Middle East and an ally in the battle against Islamic terrorism. The German-Israeli friendship has a high priority for us on those grounds."
– Beatrix von Storch née von Oldenburg, Holsteinian/German member of Bundestag (AfD). 1971 AD
Storch, B. von (2022): Antwort auf Frage. In: Abgeordnetenwatch. 09.11.2022. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel is a beacon of democracy and freedom. Not perfect but light years ahead of their neighbors.”
– Kirralie Smith, Australian activist. 1971 AD
“Jamaica, like Israel, is a strong democracy, and we have long admired the advances that Israel has made in technology, in particularly in cyber security and in agriculture, and in other areas.”
– Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica. 1972 AD
Prime Minister Holness Meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Posted on January 12, 2017 by OPM Communications.
“[I am] a very strong supporter of the state of Israel, its right to exist and the fact that it is a shining beacon of democracy within the Middle East. Sadly, we see very few functioning democracies within that region. That is why it is very important for this House to acknowledge the importance to Australia of the bilateral relationship we have with Israel. (...) Israel is clearly not a perfect state, but I believe it is a state that behaves in a way that I think Australians have much sympathy for. I have had the opportunity to visit Israel. For a country that has really been in a state of war for the whole 60 years of its existence, what really struck me was the very vigorous internal debate within Israel about the way that they behave as a state, about the way that they behave with their neighbours, about the way that they respond to military provocation, about the way that they respond to attacks on their people and about the way that they respond to attacks on their territory. An extraordinarily vigorous debate occurs in Israel about what they believe is moral and right and about the way that they approach these issues. (...) We need to acknowledge not only that they have survived in what is a very difficult and turbulent region but also that they have had an economic miracle within the state—lessons which I think Australia can learn from as well.”
– Michael Keenan, Anglo-Australian Minister for Justice (Liberal). 1971 AD
Parliament of Australia. House. Monday, 23 May 2011.
“Do (…) all the sheikhs who praise the boycott know that a large part of the inventions and innovations in the world were done by Jews? (…) Among 12 million Jews, Jewish scholars won 184 Nobel Prizes in a variety of fields. (…) 1.4 billion Muslims won only nine. What an embarassment. Out of the nine, there are two who are not considered Muslim. (…) The sons of ‘apes and pigs’ have 184 Nobel Prizes and by contrast ‘the best of peoples’ won seven.”
– Rachid Hammami, Moroccan (Amazigh) tv host and Christian convert. 1971 AD
IsraelinArabic.com (2014): The Ultimate Response to BDS YouTube. In: Youtube. 10 July 2014.
“Poland and Israel enjoy very good relations, and our nations have shared more than a thousand years of mutual interaction. (...) I wish to express my satisfaction with the high volume of economic exchange between Poland and Israel. Nevertheless, we can still see a big potential for deepening our cooperation in the sector of innovations and high technologies. Israel unquestionably is one of the leaders in the area of innovation. (...) Security and community are the two values of fundamental importance for Poles. Looking at Israel`s history I can clearly see how significant they are also for the Jewish Nation. I wish to share with you my great hope that these values will continue to serve as pillars of a permanent partnership between our states and our nations.”
– Andrzej Duda, President of Poland. 1972 AD
Speech by the President of Poland at the seminar entitled Poland and Israel: Confronting Global and Regional Challenges. 19 stycznia 2017.
"Out of solidarity, and not recklessly, have we placed the flag of Israel next to the flag of Austria upon the Austrian Federal Chancellery and upon the Austrian Foreign Ministry building, in order to clearly demonstrate that the security of Israel, that the territoriality of Israel is indispensable for Austria. (…) Austria stands by its responsibility stemming from its history."
– Karl Nehammer, Federal Chancellor of Austria. 1972 AD
Rede von Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer anlässlich der Gedenkfeier der IKG am Ballhausplatz am 11.10.2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel’s place in the world is changing. Israel is building up new diplomatic relationships. More and more countries recognize how much Israel contributes to the world. They are recognizing that Israel is a beacon of stability in a troubled region, and that Israel is at the forefront of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological discovery.”
– Nimrata "Nikki" Randhawa Haley, Indian-American (Punjabi/Sikh) Ambassador to the UN. 1972 AD
CBS News (2017): U.S. envoy Haley. U.S. supports 2-state Israel-Palestinian solution. February 16, 2017.
"This anniversary truly provides an opportunity to express gratitude for the founding of the State of Israel 70 years ago. I wish the Israeli nation a prosperous future in peace and security."
– Markus Hollemann, Bavarian/German mayor of Denzlingen (ÖDP). 1972 AD
Markus Hollemann. 9. Mai 2018. Auf seiner Webseite. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"The power of place cannot be understated to a people who were unmoored and adrift for thousands of years. The 14 million Jewish diaspora, of which I have 6,500 in Higgins, are anchored to Israel. If Israel is the homeland, then Jerusalem is its beating heart. (…) That Israel has thrived with so much stacked against it—from a paucity of rainfall and arable land to continuous hostility—is testament to its culture of innovation. It offers us in Australia the blueprint of how to do more with less."
– Michelle Ananda-Rajah, British-Australian (Tamil) Labor MP. 1972 AD
Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP – spoke about the the need to confront anti-Semitism through the teaching of the IHRA definition and opposed describing Israel as committing apartheid. November 10, 2022.
"I am a disabled person now, because I didn't want to tell where are Israelis. I got a bullet in the leg, because I didn't want to tell where are Israelis, where are Jews. That's how we grew up, that's how my grandpa did it, and that's how my father did it, and that's how I do it in this country. And my children did it like that as well. And no one can take this from me. (...) We are one family, one people, no one can take this from us."
– Qaid Farhan Al-Qadi, Bedouin-Israeli kibbutz guard. 1972 AD
Interview with N12. September 2024. 5 September 2024.
"Historically, [Jews] have been the most discriminated and brutally abused minority. Even after 6 million of them were murdered by the Nazis because of their insane anti-Semitic ideology, being an 'oppressor' has never been in their DNA. Historically, that land was always Jewish. The Jewish people have been living on that land, their land, for over two millenniums. Jesus himself was a Jew. Jerusalem, the holiest city in Judaism, has been the homeland of Jews since 1,000 years before Christ. I don't believe in God or Jesus, but Jerusalem is real. You could visit Jerusalem today and experience the stories printed in the Bible, where Jerusalem is mentioned 800 times. The Jews, in their land, were conquered and abused by pretty much everyone: the Romans, the Byzantines and Alexander the Great. But never have they been exiled from their land. They lost their land during the Arab invasion in the 7th century. Within the next two centuries, the Jews became a minority in their land. The Arabs became the colonizers and the Jews, as natives, were dispossessed. The Jews were forced to exile in every corner of the world and suffered the unspeakable, but they never stopped claiming their land and always said they would return to Jerusalem. In the 19th century that became a reality. They started building factories and farms on the land that the Arabs destroyed and left barren and empty. As Israel flourished with new towns, buildings, transportation, businesses, hospitals and schools, the Arabs from nearby countries started to immigrate and called themselves Palestinians. (...) Nevertheless, the Jews didn't exile the Palestinians. They said they could stay, they could live together."
– Sebastiano Orfeo, Italian entrepreneur. 1972 AD
Orfeo, S. (2024): Free Gaza From Hamas: Eight Facts Why I Stand With Israel. In: Youtube. 22 May 2024.
“That Israel is a beacon of democratic freedom, the only true democracy in the region is a consensus beyond the mainstream political contest. To the extent that I’ve been able to make that contribution towards that bipartisan clarity, I’m proud to have done that.”
– Daniel Andrews, Irish-Australian Premier of Victoria (Labor). 1972 AD
Kohn, P. (2023): 75th birthday toast to Israel. In: The Australian Jewish News. June 1 2023.
“We can learn a lot from Israel, not just in the field of hightech, but certainly also in the fight against terror. (…) We must learn a bit from Israel in hardness and preparedness. (…) The current attacks teach us that we must be able to defend ourselves.”
– Manfred Weber, Bavarian/German member of European parliament (CSU). 1972 AD
Schröder, T. (2016): Ehrung für Philipp Missfelder in Israel. In: Bild. 21.07.2016 - 23:55 Uhr. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I stand with the people of Israel. The Albanese government stands with the people of Israel during this difficult period. We certainly recognise that Israel has the right to defend itself and its people during this bloody conflict. (…) I’m very proud to represent a community that has a wonderful Jewish population. They are great Australian citizens who contribute to the community that we’re fortunate to live in."
– Matt Thistlethwaite, Australian Labor MP. 1972 AD
Matt Thistlethwaite MP – condemning Hamas’ attack and calling for respectful debate. October 16, 2023.
“Jews are endangered, and they are good people; their dream is to live in security, but the plots against them are great. Jews suffered and will suffer slaughters and murders in European countries, which robbed their money and their wives. (...) Therefore, Israel transfers a fortune to its defense budget in order to protect Israeli citizens – be they Arab, Jewish or Christian. (…) Israel is a democratic state of law, a state of science, which respects the educated, the writers and poets. (…) Not to forget that three Israeli universities are among the 500 most important universities in the world, and no Islamic Arab university in any Arab country is on that list.”
– Jihad Ali Alwan, Jordanian author. 1972 AD
Bender, D. (2014): Blackballed Jordanian Author. ‘Jews Have a Right to the Land of Israel’. In: The Algemeiner. October 7, 2014, 11:55 AM.
“Israel and Australia, as we know, have had warm relations and strong economic ties due to our strong people-to-people links and our commercial relationships for many decades. The trade between our two nations is worth around $1.2 billion, and we continue to explore partnerships to strengthen our economic ties to this day. Israel is a progressive, modern and forward-thinking state, and our two countries share not only the same values but also a close bond. We cooperate internationally with Israel in many fields, including international development assistance. (...) Throughout the world, Australia is lucky to have many great nations as close friends and allies, but perhaps, of all of our wonderful partnerships, it is Israel that we share the most in common.”
– Milton Dick, Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives (Labor). 1972 AD
Parliament of Australia. House of Representatives on 26/03/2018.
Parliament of Australia. House of Representatives on February 20, 2019.
“At the heart of our relationship is the fact that Britain recognises Israel’s status as a modern liberal democracy, and actually it acts as a beacon to other countries as well. The last 70 years has established so much in terms of the bonds of our relationship, and we should never forget the circumstances surrounding Israel’s birth, and the hope and sanctuary that Israel provides to Jewish people around the world.”
– Priti Patel, Indo-British (Gujarati) Conservative MP. 1972 AD
CFI Parliamentary Reception, January 2017.
“I support the State of Israel and its right to be recognised as a free and democratic nation. After the grave crimes against humanity that occurred during World War II, the establishment of the modern State of Israel provided security to people who had faced exile, persecution and genocide. Today we acknowledge the anniversary of this independence. It is vital that we remember the dark times in history, reflect on how they shape society today and celebrate the progress we have made. Yom Ha'atzmaut gives us an opportunity to do just this. (...) I acknowledge the strong relationship that both Australia and New South Wales have with the State of Israel. In 1947 Australia was the first country to vote in favour of the United Nations partition resolution, which ultimately led to the creation of Israel. In 1949 we established diplomatic relations with Israel and since that time our bilateral economic relationship has grown into a $1.3 billion two-way trade of goods and services. That support has continued to the modern day.”
– Ben Franklin, Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. 1972 AD
Parliament of New South Wales. ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY. May 2022.
"I believe Israel is critically important to the United States because it is the home of the Jewish people, because it is an exemplary democracy that shares our values, and because it is a crucial contributor to our national security objectives in the region. (…) The US-Israel relationship is one of the most important relationships that we have on the planet."
– Beto O'Rourke, Irish-American Representative (Dem) from Texas. 1972 AD
Kaplan Sommer, A. (2019): The Time Beto O'Rourke Got Burned on Israel. In: HaAretz. Mar 15, 2019.
Budryk, Z. (2019): O’Rourke: US-Israel relationship must transcend ‘a prime minister who is racist’. In: The Hill. 04/07/19 5:42 PM ET.
“Whoever wants peace, needs to support Israel. (...) [It is a] bastion of democracy and civilization. (...) I go to Israel because I consider it one of the most modern democracies without having to justify anything. (...) Israel is one of the models of anti-terrorism, of intelligence, of territorial control, of boundary defenses: from this point of view I go to study and learn. (...) Israel [is] a country that has a right to exist, without ifs and without buts. (...) Antisemitism is a virulent plague, a cancer, something disgusting.”
– Matteo Salvini, Vicepremier of Italy. 1973 AD
Ahren, R. (2018): Far-right Italian minister slams EU for ‘unbalanced’ stance on Israel. In: The Times of Israel. 11 December 2018, 11:24 pm.
Ajello, M. (2018): Salvini in Israele critica la Ue: «Sempre a favore dei palestinesi». In: La Repubblica. 12 Dicembre 2018. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Di Porto, N. (2018): Salvini, Israele, gli ebrei e l’antisemitismo. In: Shalom. 1-12-2018. [Translated by C. Nooij].
La Repubblica (2023): In centinaia a Milano con la Lega. 4 Novembre 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“For me – and for so many Europeans – Israel is a natural partner. We are and we will remain friends. Europe and Israel share so much, and the history of the Jewish people is the history of Europe. European literature would not be the same with no Franz Kafka, Marcel Proust, Italo Svevo. European culture would not be the same with no Freud, Spinoza or Einstein. Our music would not be the same with no Gustav Mahler – or Amy Winehouse. Even our cuisine would not be the same… (…) The Jewish people has suffered like no other people on earth. And in Europe we know it very well. Through centuries of diaspora, the Jewish wisdom has spread to the entire world, it has inspired so many peoples and cultures, and reached out, to the whole human kind.”
– Federica Mogherini, Italian Foreign Minister. 1973 AD
EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini Addresses AJC Global Forum On 6 June 2016.
“Israel is our closest partner in the Middle East. Just like in 1948, we stand by your side and are ready to provide you with our assistance according to your needs.”
– Jana Černochová, Czech Minister of Defence (ODS). 1973 AD
Narguet, G. (2024): Armement : la ministre de la Défense tchèque en visite en Israël. In: Radio Prague International. 08/02/2024.
“75 years may be a mere exclamation mark on thousands of years of Jewish history, but it is hard to think of a people who have retained as much vibrancy and vigour as the people of Israel. Tracing the skyscrapers as they stretch higher and ever further along the Mediterranean coast, I have to remind myself of how far Israel has come within the blink of history's eye. From the labour of those plucky pioneers who cultivated a barren landscape and drained malarial swamps, a confident, sophisticated state has blossomed. In a historical context, Israel represents the rebirth of a 3,000-year old civilisation and language. It is a state built in the shadow of humanity's darkest hour. Since its humble origins it has been relentlessly focussed on a bold and better future. (...) In recent years Israel has been revered as the 'Start-Up Nation' but this has been in its DNA since day one. From the development of 'Ben-Gurion rice' to beat the austerity of the early 1950s to having one of the largest concentrations of 'unicorns' (start-ups valued over $1 billion) of any nation, Israel has always benefited enormously from the ingenuity and pioneering ethos of its citizens. Today, Israel's high-tech 'Silicon Wadi' exports services and technologies to every corner of the globe making mankind healthier, safer and more prosperous. The Jewish State's revolutionary spirit is stronger than ever. These achievements are all the more remarkable when one considers that Israel's first 75 years have been shaped by bloodshed. Israel's enemies have conducted wars of annihilation since the day of its inception and the threat of terrorism remains a daily challenge. (...) And yet, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, Israel has not only survived but grown ever stronger.”
– Stephen Crabb, Scottish/British Secretary of State for Wales. 1973 AD
CFI INFORMED MAGAZINE 2023/2024. Page 18.
“The Catholic saint Jerome called Israel the fifth gospel. In the faces of its people we glimpse his features. In its streets we hear his language. We walk through the maps we’ve carried around for years in the back of our bibles. We see ancient customs still lived out and previously innocuous words and phrases from scripture become significant.”
– Shaun Groves, American singer-songwriter. 1973 AD
Groves, S. (2013): The Fifth Gospel. May 14 2013.
“In the Middle East today, there is one country where Christianity is not only not persecuted, but affectionately granted freedom of expression, freedom of worship and security. It is Israel, the Jewish state. Israel is the only place where Christians in the Middle East are safe. (...) Human rights are not something to be taken for granted. Christians in much of the Middle East have been slaughtered and persecuted for their faith, but here in Israel they are protected.”
– Father Gabriel Nadaf, Aramaic-Israeli priest. 1973 AD
Newman, M. (2014): Priest tells UNHRC to ‘end witch hunt’ of Israel. In: Times of Israel. 23 September 2014, 9:49 pm.
Prosor, R. (2014): The Middle East War on Christians. In: WSJ. April 16 2014.
"We stand on the side of Israel. The security of Israel and its right to exist are part of the German raison d'état."
– Torsten Herbst, Saxon/German member of Bundestag (FDP). 1973 AD
Herbst, T. (2023): Facebook Post. 21. Oktober 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Since 1948, modern Israel has existed under duress. It began as a miracle and continues as an ongoing miracle. No nation has been away for 2000 years and makes a sudden come back. So, to those who don’t believe in miracles, Israel makes no sense. ‘Peace talks’ fail, yet the nation persists. Wave after wave of violence strikes at it, yet Israel survives. What country in the world would put up rockets falling on their soil day after day? No nation would! (…) Even with all of the mayhem, Israel prospers. You may not know that most computers have components made in Israel, today's modern pharmaceuticals come from Israeli doctors and soon Israel will be pumping more natural gas than any nation on earth. Hail the IDF... what an incredible defense force! How could this happen? The answer is simple. God keeps His Word.”
– Tim Miller, American meteorologist for WIS-TV. 1973 AD
"Allow me to emphasize as a matter of principle that Germany and Israel nowadays have a relationship that was unimaginable at the end of the war 70 years ago. On the basis of the shared values of democratic constitutional states, both countries are determined to shape the future together. Out of the abyss of the horrors of National Socialism, trust and a deep friendship has grown. Today the close partnership between the two states is a supporting pillar of German foreign policy. The security of Israel is part of the German reason of state. I would also like to recognize the special historical responsibility of Germany towards Israel. I stand for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State within secure borders. (…) Israel [is], despite most difficult circumstances and almost daily terror attacks, the only democracy under the rule of law in the region. In that regard, the country can serve as an example in a number of ways. If these standards existed on the Westbank, in Gaza or Lebanon, there would surely be a lot more stability."
– Thorsten Frei, Badenian/German member of Bundestag (CDU). 1973 AD
Frei, T. (2015): Antwort auf Frage. In: Abgeordnetenwatch. 24.07.2015. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Frei, T. (2023): Antwort auf Frage. In: Abgeordnetenwatch. 28.12.2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I cannot understand why so many people apply double standards. There is no justification for the extent to which Israel is criticized. Everyone who was here is thrilled and surprised afterwards, how much our everyday life differs from that which is seen on the news. I can only recommend to everybody: Come and make your own picture.”
– Tom Franz, German-Israeli MasterChef and convert to Judaism. 1973 AD
Schippmann, A. & Warshavsky, E. (2015): Dieser Rheinländer ist Israels bester TV-Koch. In: Bild. 12.05.2015 - 00:11 Uhr. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I actually admire Israel and I would be very concerned if Israel ceases to exist. (…) The more Israel thrives, the more we do well, the better we do. (…) I would say, as a Palestinian, that the only country that has actually treated us normally, treated us as human beings, was Israel."
– Mudar Zahran, Palestinian writer and journalist. 1973 AD
"We're seeing increasing drought, hail, floods and the like. Obviously, that's going to have incredible adverse impacts on agriculture, and yet we have other countries such as Israel, for example, where 40 per cent of crops are grown in the desert, and where water scarcity and technology is key to being able to achieve the yields that they are. One example, for the benefit of the committee, is that they are able to produce a tomato yield in excess of 300 tonnes per hectare, and we're sitting at around 100 so."
– Tania Lawrence, Australian Labor MP. 1973 AD
Parliament of Australia. Standing Committee on Economics 25/07/2023 Inquiry into promoting economic dynamism, competition and business formation.
"We are required to stand up for Jewish life in Germany and to show that Jews are part of this country. We stand on the side of Jewish Germans and behind Jews all over the world. In a time where Jewish life is threatened the world over, as it hasn’t been since the Holocaust. ‘Never again’ also means that we do not question Israel’s right to exist, confirm its right to self-defense as enshrined in international law, and fight against anti-Israeli groups."
– Thomas Jepsen, Sleswickian/German member of Bundestag (CDU). 1973 AD
Jepsen, T. (2024): Facebook Post. 9. November 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“With Bar Refaeli, I discovered the beauty of Israel, and also all shades of Israeli society. As in the US, there is in this country a creative energy. (…) And as an actor and film producer, I’m a big fan of the Israeli art, one of the most inventive and interesting in the world.”
– Leonardo DiCaprio, Italian-American actor. 1974 AD
“I am a very outspoken supporter of Israel... (…) Stay strong people of Israel
in this dangerous time. (…) Stand strong and defend yourself by all means.”
– Jenna Massoli / Jenna Jameson, Italian-American porn actress and convert to Judaism. 1974 AD
Efrem, M. (2015): Porn Queen Jenna Jameson Stands Up for Israel. In: Forward. October 20, 2015.
“I speak to a lot of my fans on my website and the question ‘Where are you most excited to play?’ comes up a lot. I always say Israel. The people, the place, the history... I don't really know, there's this sort of unspoken energy coming from the place that I can feel and I wanna go to."
– Robbie Williams, English singer. 1974 AD
Robbie Williams - The Israel Project Interview. In: Youtube. 12 April 2015.
"At home and abroad, our Jewish friends lay under fire. Many in this world hate them. But I say here today: we love them. (…) If it is no longer safe for Jews somewhere, there is only one country left in the world, where they enjoy security, and that’s Israel. Israel has no other choice, because in order to defend her citizens against that pure hatred of terrorism, death and destruction, they have to act as they now do against those who are bent on the downfall and destruction of Israel. (…) The miracle of the State of Israel, it still exists and it will continue to exist. We see it even when we go back thousands of years, because just as Haman didn’t manage to exterminate the Jewish people, Hamas and Hezbollah also don’t. And just as Egypt couldn’t break the Jewish people, neither will Iran. And with the help of his God, David defeated Goliath. And with such great proofs from the most recent and distant history, I dare to convey a hopeful message for the future of Israel. With the fullest of faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the God of David, we pray together for the peace of Jerusalem."
– Chris Stoffer, Dutch member of parliament (SGP). 1974 AD
Israël manifestatie op de Dam - 7 oktober 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I support the Jewish State of Israel, that is their land, they have been in that land, and it is the UN that is declaring them terrorists. (…) You got this tiny little place, that’s got buildings and factories and airplanes and all the rest of it. And then everything around it is a bunch of squalor. (…) What would happen if the Jews pulled out of Israel today, and left? Within a year there'd be nothing but people murdering and killing each other, and blowing each other up, and fighting.”
– Alex Jones, American radio host. 1974 AD
Alexis, J.E. (2016): Can Alex Jones Be Serious on the Middle East?. In: Veterans Today. December 27, 2016.
"Because Jewish people have such a deep love for humanity and for progress, they tend to think that all people are like that. And it makes me really sad to have to let them know and understand that that’s not the reality we live in. (...) One of the most shocking, shameful, and disturbing parts about Israel is how they need bomb shelters EVERYWHERE. In almost every building, in parking lots, in children’s playgrounds. No other country on the planet lives this way. No other airline needs a missile defense system."
– Yasmine Mohammed, Arab-Canadian human rights activist. 1974 AD
Pacchiani, G. (2024): In Israel, activists from Muslim countries denounce common threat of radical Islam. In: Times of Israel. 26 April 2024, 9:07 am.
Twitter/X Post. 22 April 2024.
“I understand the importance of a Jewish state as both a democratic society and a refuge of culture and heritage. I am proud to celebrate its continued success. The spirit of Israel is as strong today as it was in 1948 when Great Britain's mandate expired and a new nation was born. Its people continue to seek academic advancement, participate in international commerce, and support the arts. All this, while managing threats to its security. My respect for this nation and its people is great. (...) The fear of becoming yet another victim to terrorism while riding a bus or eating in a cafe could be enough to bring stagnation to a bustling economy. However, not in Israel. Its people rally in the name of freedom and out of the hope for a lasting peace. Their economy – and their nation are strong.”
– Derek Kilmer, American Representative (Dem) from Washington. 1974 AD
May 6, 2014 - Issue: Vol. 160, No. 67 — Daily Edition 113th Congress (2013 - 2014) - 2nd Session.
“Israel has many of the answers to the problems being faced by South Africa, and we need to work with each other. South Africa needs friends, not enemies. (...) So many of our towns and cities are losing half of the bulk water before it even reaches our residents for consumption. In Israel, they lose 2% at most, and process all the wastewater in a truly cyclical system. The sewage gets turned into fertiliser for farming, the wastewater is used for irrigation, and the sludge processing produces methane that powers 80% of the needs of the water treatment plant. Israelis don’t waste anything. That’s a powerful lesson for South Africa, whatever your politics may be. Israeli democracy is loud and fractious, but it’s robust. It was eye-opening to witness the anger against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government and its decision to rein in the power of the courts. The protests made me feel right at home, and the constant electricity made me realise I wasn’t at home.”
– Gayton McKenzie, South African businessman, author and politician (Patriotic Alliance). 1974 AD
Miltz, N. (2023): ‘Israel has answers for SA’, say unrepentant political leaders. In: Jewish Report. Aug 3 2023.
“The people of Israel gave us the patriarchs, the laws, the prophets, the holy scriptures and the Messiah - Lord Jesus Christ. In the early years of our independence, Israel brought a lot of value into Uganda in agriculture, civil works, medicine, trade and the development of the economy.”
– Dr James Magara, Ugandan dentist and activist. 1974 AD
New Vision (2020): Christians want deeper ties as Israeli premier jets in. Feb 03 2020.
"Israel spent 75 years building a state, investing in education , technology , medicine etc. They became one of the most advanced counties in the world."
– Aleksey Matiychenko, Russian-American entrepreneur and software developer. 1974 AD
Aleksey Matiychenko on Quora. July 11 2024.
“Israel is a beacon of liberal democracy in a sea of [un]democratic darkness. Since 1948, Israel has long fought not just to exist as an independent state but to fight for the survival of all her people. Israel exists in a permanent state of war, not because it is an aggressor. But it is a victim: a victim of history, a victim of hatred, a victim of historical anti-Semitism. Yet, Israel is anything but a victim. Its citizens—all her people, Jewish, Christian, Orthodox, Druze, Muslim, nonbeliever—are free. It is the birthplace of innovation and the startup. It is turning its deserts into a food bowl. Most importantly, it is a democracy. It's a vibrant, boisterous, carnival of elections, so much so that, as I speak, Israel is undergoing its fifth election in three years. None of the enemies of Israel have ever held a free election. None of the enemies of Israel are free liberal democracies. None of the people of the Middle East have the freedom of all the people of Israel. (...) The miracle is not just that Israel has survived, but it has thrived. For that we in Australia are grateful, and we can only wish that the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Israelis would be shared by all the peoples across the Middle East.”
– James McGrath, Irish-Australian Senator (Liberal) for Queensland. 1974 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate on 8/09/2022.
“Beyond just being an influential world leader, the State of Israel has been a staunch and ardently loyal ally of the United States over the last several decades. This great nation's commitment to protecting it citizens and securing its homeland are simply unmatched.”
– André Carson, African-American Representative (Dem) from Indiana. 1974 AD
April 22, 2008 - Issue: Vol. 154, No. 64 — Daily Edition 110th Congress (2007 - 2008) - 2nd Session.
“With the establishment of the State of Israel on that day in 1948, Jewish independence was restored. (…) In this land, the Jewish people began to develop its distinctive religion and culture some 4,000 years ago, and there it has preserved an unbroken physical presence. (…) Let us recognize that on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea sits a land of freedom and democracy: Israel. Surrounded by hostility, but a place where freedom and tolerance are alive today.”
– Adam Putnam, American Representative (GOP) from Florida. 1974 AD
April 17, 2002 - Issue: Vol. 148, No. 43 — Daily Edition 107th Congress (2001 - 2002) - 2nd Session.
“To our Jewish friends who are hurting or are fearful, I say this: you are a much loved and intrinsic part of our Australian family. What you and your loved ones are enduring, both here and in Israel, is what this parliament today must denounce in the strongest possible terms—endorsed, I hope, by all parties and individuals. Australia and Israel are democracies. We argue for rights and the rule of law. Australia was the first country to vote in favour of the UN partition plan in 1947, and we became one of the first countries to formally recognise the state of Israel in 1949. The strong bonds between our nations continue to this day and underpin our recognition of Israel's absolute right to defend itself, its right to exist and its right to protect its citizens from terrorism. (...) We as nations, Australia and Israel, are more inclusive, compassionate and successful societies than any governed by Hamas or its supporters such as Iran.”
– Simon Birmingham, Australian Liberal MP. 1974 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate on 16/10/2023.
“In addition to leading nearly all countries in spending on research and development as a share of GDP, Israel’s high-tech firms attract massive amounts of venture capital, benefit from deep integration in global technology value chains, and have fostered rich partnerships with global firms and researchers. Israel’s well-educated and skilled researchers have developed many cutting-edge information technology products and components and the country is a leader in encryption, anti-virus software, and other cyber-security technologies.”
– Daniel Munro, Canadian professor.
"Israel, a tiny country somewhere in the dry and arid Middle East, surrounded by hostile Arab states. A country that is fighting, since its existence, for her right to live in peace and harmony. A country that has to fight against terror, against continuous lies, against racism and Antisemitism. A country that is build with determination, power and hope by the Jewish people, a lot of them Holocaust survivors. And the people of Israel did a tremendous job, they build modern and vivid cities, like Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Modi'in, build universities, hospitals, airports, harbours. They even fought nature, they Irrigated the Negev desert and changed it into a true oases. They planted trees and developed new agricultural methods. Above this all, they created a society where everybody has equal rights, Jews, Arabs, male and female. A country that commits herself to the rules of law, yes also in Israel people commit crimes, but there is always a modern court system that deals with that. Many nobel prizes for several inventions came from Israeli hands. Israel is the keyplayer in Innovation and High tech/ Medical development. A country to be proud of."
– Sabine Sterk, Dutch activist.
Sterk, S. (2021): Proud of Israel. In: The Other Side Is Real ©. 31 October 2021.
Check out the website of Sabine's organization, Time to Stand Up for Israel!
“We want to learn from Israel. You have built a very successful ecosystem that includes the creation of technology, with small and medium-sized companies that become big entities and aid all the systems and strengthen cybersecurity across the world, creating a safe and secure environment for all businesses to operate in. (...) A lot of small and medium-sized Israeli businesses are coming to the UAE looking for partners and relationships. Israel has the best talent in the field and we are working together in order to protect the digital space. That is our passion and we are aiming to expand that. Israel is our strategic partner. The software and hardware products Israeli companies have built help us strengthen our existing capabilities.”
– Mohamed al-Kuwaiti, Emirati Head of Cyber Security.
Kabir, O. (2020): UAE views Israel as a strategic cybersecurity partner, says head of national cyber authority. In: CTech. 19.11.20 12:10.
"Let me tell you a few things that Israel has been doing before I close. Israel has done a couple of things to Gaza, to their neighbor: (…) Israelites have supplied them with actually COVID vaccinations for all their needs; Israel treated their COVID patients in Israeli hospitals; Israel provided with medical care, surgeries, c-sections for their women and all other medical facilities; Israel daily, even during these rocket attacks, sometimes it supplies them with free electricity; (…) Israel has given them employment opportunities; Israel has provided with them education opportunities; has provided them free drinking water; has provided them with medications and supplies based on their demand; Israel provides Gaza with natural gas for daily usage; even during the conflict, food staples are still going into Gaza six days a week. There is abundance of the best food, the same food that is eaten in Israel, because Israel gives them meat, chicken, fish, pasta’s, breads, everything. Israel has taught them agricultural technology; Israel promoted fishermen and their products from Gaza; it has supplied fertilizers into Gaza; it has supplied laptops, notebooks and other things needed by the Gazan schools; it has invested in building projects in Gaza to help improve the infrastructure there; it has directly worked in improving their sewage systems."
– James Mahmi, Kenyan pastor.
Mahmi, J. (2021): WHY I STAND WITH ISRAEL | JAMES MAHMI. In: Youtube. 18 May 2021.
“Throughout history and even today the Jewish people have been suffering from genocidal attacks and persecutions. Until today many are interested in annihilating the Jewish State and people. Therefore the Jewish people deserve its own state. It’s a right and no privilege. (…) A million Arabs live in Israel among Jews and are not suffering like Arabs living under Arab rulers. In Israel there is freedom of speech and of religion. In Israel, Muslims, Druze and Christians enjoy conditions that do not exist in Arab countries. Israeli Arabs don’t even want to leave Israel because they won’t find this kind of paradise anywhere, and they know that. (…) We live here in a paradise. Compared to Arab countries this is Garden of Eden! For me, there is no other homeland than Israel, no other flag than that of Israel. (…) Which place is better than Israel? I can do here what I cannot do in any Arab country. I am sure not even 1 percent of the Arabs in the neighboring Arab countries lives the way I do, even though 100 percent of all Israeli Arabs do!”
– Sara Zoabi, Arab-Israeli MasterCheff contestant.
“Uganda can learn much from Israel in fields of farming, skills development, faith, diplomatic, spiritual and commercial ties.”
– Nathan Ahimbisibwe, Ugandan Anglican bishop.
New Vision (2020): Christians want deeper ties as Israeli premier jets in. Feb 03 2020.
“Much like us, it is clear: Jews are Indigenous Peoples of the Land of Israel from time immemorial. And I am proud to stand with you today and every day.”
– Karen Restoule, Native Canadian strategist and communications specialist.
Restoule, K. (2023): Karen Restoule: My experience as a First Nations woman inspires me to stand against antisemitism. In: The Hub. 6 December 2023.
“Regardless of what you think and the differences you may have, have you seen a people more respectful of their values, proud of their ancestors and supportive of their compatriots than the Jews? Rising up after the Holocaust is not achieved without those characteristics. You can't imagine flying over, as we did in a helicopter, a green, productive desert even planted with bananas and avocados. You can't imagine visiting the kibbutzim (we went to Kerem Shalom, a kilometer and a half from the Gaza Strip). How about Sorek, the largest desalination plant in the world; in just half an hour the water extracted ten kilometers deep from the sea is drinkable and ready to be distributed. How about that small territory, about 25,000 square kilometers and 8 million inhabitants, which is constantly targeted by its enemies' missiles, exporting vegetables, agricultural technology and many other advances. (...) In Colombia we have a 50-year conflict and we are bogged down, for whatever reasons, but tangled; we do not get out of corruption, we allow everything to happen and we continue with the old regionalisms instead of uniting and moving forward as a nation with more advantages and greater geographical extension than Israel, which - despite such profound differences with its neighbors and in its territories — has even had the ability to appoint a woman, Golda Meir, as the prime minister in Israel and the third in the world to assume such a position. Not even the United States has achieved it to date.”
– Maria Clara Gracia, Colombian pastry chef and journalist.
Gracia, M.C. (2016): Israel, estrategia país. In: Las 2 Orillas. Abril 13, 2016.
"The [Israeli] nation has shown a tendency to build, has a tendency to allow different faiths to inhabit areas, has shown a tendency to have principles of Western republican liberalism, has shown so many things that are actually good. (…) There is no moral equivelancy between the forces occupying the Gaza Strip and Israel. One country is committed largely to ensuring that collateral damage is minimized. When Israel retaliated against the recent attacks, Netanyahu basically told the civilians of Gaza: get out, please get out. Whereas the other [i.e. Hamas] will go in and blow up buildings, they'll go in and bomb civilians, go in and kill people. (…) It seems evident to me that the Israeli people are justified in their struggle against these illiberal forces that seek their utter annihilation."
– Christian Watson, African-American philosophy student and political writer.
Watson, C. (2024): Israel vs. Hamas - Why I Support Israel As An American. In: Youtube.9 October 2023.
"With the exception of Turkey, Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and the only state with a Western society in the region. (…) Its economy is the only highly developed one in the area, on par with West European economies. Israel therefore sees itself as a modern, Western spearhead in the Middle East. Israel is special in that it was created and has been strongly influenced by immigration, an anachronism in history and a nouveau in the contemporary Middle East. Israel is also unique inasmuch that – whilst other nation states developed on a territory where their nation-to-be dwelled – the Zionist project that was to be Israel had a state first, a nation too, but not a territory. Once it did have a territory, its people did not dwell there but were spread all over the world."
– Stefan Ahlswede, German researcher and author.
Ahlswede, S. (2009): Israel's European Policy After the Cold War, Page 51.
“They have a tiny piece of land--an insultingly small portion of their ancestral homeland which they have generously agreed to share despite every effort by their neighbors to annihilate them. They have been attacked repeatedly and could have kept large swaths of territory after winning the many unprovoked wars launched against them. Instead, they graciously relinquished lands they had every right to keep. Their tiny country is a hub of innovation that, in its short history, has benefitted the world with a litany of inventions including drip irrigation, VoIP, USB flash drives, Internet firewalls, the pressure bandage, the pill cam (as in no more colonoscopies!), etc. Much of their land is a desert waste which they have turned into arguably the most productive country per capita in the world.”
– Ben Bergin, American IT systems manager and Mormon missionary.
Ben Bergin. Answer to "Why do you support Israel if you're not Jewish?". In: Quora. 17 November 2023.
“I was impressed by the energy of your young people and your professors. I admired the richness of this Start-Up Nation: the relationship between universities, venture capitalism and new companies is one of the least known aspects of Israel outside Israel. Such cultural richness, such hunger of the future, such mental energy! (...) The existence of the State of Israel is not a gracious concession of the international community following the Shoah. The existence of Israel predates by centuries any international agreement. And the State of Israel exists in spite of the Holocaust. Somebody today still tries to doubt the right of this State to exist. Based on all that we have said until now, it is clear to one and all that you don't only have a right to exist. You have the duty to exist. The duty to exist, the duty to resist, the duty to pass on to your children but also to my three children. Francesco, Emanuele, Ester.”
– Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy. 1975 AD
Knesset Speech by Matteo Renzi. 24/07/2015.
“I have faith in the history, traditions, and culture of Israel. But above all, I believe in the rights of the Jewish people. The right to claim a homeland, to live in security, not to suffer discrimination of any kind. I believe that not recognizing the rights of Israel, as a state of the Jews, is very often a myopia linked more to prejudices that political motives. The West cannot abandon Israel, because that would mean abandoning itself. Israel is the West’s bridgehead in an area where democracy, freedom and human rights are still struggling to establish themselves. (...) Our fundamental values cannot be overshadowed or pushed aside by economic interests.”
– Mara Carfagna, Italian Minister for Equal Opportunity. 1975 AD
Ronen, G. (2016): Italian politician in strong pro-Israel monologue. In: Arutz Sheva. March 23 2016, 8:34 PM (GMT+2).
“I’ve been thinking about moving to Israel. I’m Christian and I’ll convert to a Jew. Just so I can marry somebody as pretty as you! I really love, love Israel. It’s such a lovely place, such a lovely place. I’m moving outta America, I’m moving to Israel. Can’t believe my eyes, I’m in paradise!"
– William Adams (Will.I.Am), African-American singer. 1975 AD
“For me, the reason I support Israel – the reason I believe in Israel – is because, like America, Israel is more than just a country. It’s an idea. An idea founded on a set of values and principles. An idea that is worth fighting for. The founding fathers of the State of Israel built a country on a rock of great ideals: democracy; liberty; rights for all citizens; freedom of religion; opportunity; social justice; and equality. And like America, Israel’s founding fathers were ambitious, courageous and optimistic, setting only the very highest standards. (...) Each time I visit Israel, my admiration for that great country grows. For its people, and for what they have managed to achieve – even in the most difficult of circumstances.”
– Michael Dugher, English/British Labour MP. 1975 AD
LFI (2015): LFI VICE CHAIR ,MICHAEL DUGHER MP, GIVES KEYNOTE SPEECH AT ‘WE BELIEVE IN ISRAEL’ CONFERENCE. 22 March 2015.
“I can argue like a Marxist about whether there was a global Jewish nation 200 years ago, or whether it was just a religion. But this really doesn’t matter. We’re both here now, two nations. Everyone believes [their side] and is bound to the motherland. I’m interested in what you believe, not in how I define you, okay? [You have] one land, one people, one culture, a shared history, a shared language, a shared economy – so you’re a nation. If you believe you’re a nation, then I accept you as a nation. (…) I’m telling you that Arabs already enjoy national rights in this state. Language is the most important national right, and the Arabs’ [language] is recognized by the state.”
– Ayman Odeh, Arab-Israeli member of Knesset (Joint List). 1975 AD
Rettig Gur, H. (2015): Ayman Odeh wants to be Israel’s Martin Luther King. In: The Times of Israel. 3 May 2015, 1:11 pm.
"The security of the State of Israel is part of the German raison d’état. The existence and the security of Israel as a national home for the Jewish people with equal rights for all of its citizens are non-negotiable. (…) Israeli laws contain no racial distinction. Arab Israelis enjoy the same civil rights as all other citizens as per the Basic laws. They have the active and passive voting right – a right that was denied to the Blacks in South Africa. In Israel there are Arab parties and politicians, since 2021 an Arab party, the Joint Arab List, is even part of the government for the first time."
– Omid Nouripour, Iranian-German member of Bundestag (Grüne). 1975 AD
Nouripour, O.(2023): Antwort auf Frage. In: Abgeordnetenwatch. 01.11.2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Our state is not value-free. It stands on the side of Israel. (…) We stand on the side of Israel. Israel’s right to exist belongs to the German raison d’état. That’s not just some empty phrase, rather it must be a programmatic guiding principle."
– Volker Ullrich, Swabian/German member of Bundestag (CDU/CSU). 1975 AD
Ullrich, V. (2023): Facebook Post. 10. Oktober 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"In July, I was in Israel and was very impressed with their commitment to expanding their role in the world’s space community. As we better understand Israel’s capabilities and the innovative work of their private industry, we know they’ll be an even stronger international partner in the future, one vital to the success of extending commercial space to the Moon and eventually on to Mars and beyond."
– Jim Bridenstine, American Administrator of NASA. 1975 AD
Rettig Gur, H. (2015): Ayman Odeh wants to be Israel’s Martin Luther King. In: The Times of Israel. 3 May 2015, 1:11 pm.
“In our opinion, Germany can learn a whole lot from Israel in several political fields. In the case of the conflicts that Israel has had on its doorstep for decennia – cultural, religious, ethnic conflicts – that were up until now largely unknown to us and toward which the established politics act amorphously, it’s worth looking at Israel in order to understand how to deal with it. (…) I personally also believe that a good relationship with Israel is essential for Germany and not just out of responsibility for history, but rather in general, because Israel is one of the few states outside of Europe that has a democratic social order. (…) We should leave Israel free reign, for as long as the country behaves according to rule of law. For me there is principally no reason to doubt that Israel is doing so.”
– Frauke Petry, Saxon/German member of the Bundestag (AfD). 1975 AD
Jüdische Rundschau (2017): Interviewreihe Parteien vor der Bundestagswahl (Teil 2): Frauke Petry zu ihrem Besuch in Israel. Juni 1, 2017. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Azerbaijan and Israel enjoy strong bilateral relations and good friendship. Israel was one of the first countries that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan, and we highly appreciate it. Our cooperation is close and mutually beneficial, and it covers political, economic, military, and other fields. The Azerbaijan-Israel partnership is strong, comprehensive and multidimensional.”
– Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister. 1975 AD
Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2021): Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom. 04-04-2021 12:23.
"We, as the Iranian new generation (...), love Israel, we have respect for Israel people and all the Jews around the world, and we need your help and your support for the Green Movement in Iran, the Green Revolution, to bring down the mullah and, for sure, we can fix the problems of Israel."
– Amir-Abbas Fakhravar, Iranian-American peace activist. 1975 AD
Per la verità, per Israele. Manifestazione i Roma. 7 Ottobro 2010.
"I support Israel, because I believe in the fight between good and evil I should be on the good side, not the evil side. I support Israel because I'm an American and Israel is not just our ally, but the only democratic country in the Middle East, and we should support fellow democracies, particularly in that part of the world, where so many of the surrounding nations chant 'death to America'. And Israel has our back, we should have their back. I support Israel because I'm a human being and after the Holocaust, humanity pledged 'never again' and many of those people turned out to be liars, but not me."
– Erick Erickson, American radio talkshow host and politician (GOP). 1975 AD
Erickson, E. (2023): Why I Support Israel from River to Sea. In: Youtube. 6 November 2023.
"Israel is the only democracy in that area, where civil rights and liberties are guarantied. The people of Israel deserve that recognition from Madrid."
– José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Spanish Mayor of Madrid (PP). 1975 AD
COPE (2023): Almeida compara en COPE la foto de Puigdemont con la jura de Leonor. 31 oct 2023 - 10:38.
“Israel has stability, the ear of the world community, and the ability to be a modern state in the Middle East. Israel has withstood the test of time. (…) Friendship between Israel and Assyria would be mutually beneficial, with both countries being strong allies.”
– Mar Awa Royel, Assyrian-American bishop. 1975 AD
Hasso, J. (2018): Assyrians, Jews and Israel. In: Arutz Sheva. Jun 14, 2018, 10:07 PM (GMT+3).
“From a strategic point of view, the defense of Israel in its role as a dam against barbarism is the defense of civilization, of freedom and of our Western way of life; and the most effective way - and the only one - to combat radical Islamism. But this is not the most significant argument. The reason why Israel has to be defended is because they are the elite of Humanity, the best that we as a species have given. It is the Jewish people who have inspired us in our efforts to be responsible and kind people. It is the Jewish people who, surviving a thousand persecutions, have instilled in us the mandate to be free. Protecting Israel is protecting what defines us as men, something that goes far beyond specific interests and even geopolitics. In Israel the beginning and the end of our world are realized, Israel and the Jewish people are the drive that moves us to be good and to be free. We are all David, even if we deny him, even if we have betrayed him, even if we have a meticulous plan to kill him. There is only one truth and it is in Israel where it shines. Israel is our ally, but above all our spirit. Anyone knows that Israel cannot afford to lose any war, because it would be the last, nor to be careless in its defense, because the enemies of Humanity are lying in wait to destroy it and us at any moment of doubt or weakness.”
– Salvador Sostres, Spanish/Catalan columnist and writer. 1975 AD
Sostres, S. (2015): El único sentido. In: El Mundo. 09 ENE 2013.
“Europeans need to understand how closely intertwined are the fates of Israel and of Europe itself. The term ‘Judeo-Christian’ is not a cliche. We cannot defend Western civilization without defending its Jewish component, without which modern Western culture would have been unthinkable. The religious identity of the West has two legs: The Christian and the Jewish ones. It needs both to stand upright. Sacrificing one to save the other is like fighting a battle by chopping off one of your legs, throwing it at the feet of your enemies and shouting: ‘You won’t get the other one! We will never surrender!’ We could always hope that our enemies will laugh themselves to death faster than we bleed to death, the Monty Python way of fighting. Maybe that works, but most likely it will leave us crippled and pathetic, if not dead. (…) We cannot change what has happened in the past. We should, however, consider it our duty to combat anti-Semitism in the here and now and make sure that the remaining Jews both in Europe and in Israel are safe.”
– Peder “Fjordmann” Jensen, Norwegian blogger. 1975 AD
Fjordman (2007): Why Europeans Should Support Israel. In: The Brussels Journal. 2007-03-12 07:49.
"Israel has been an important ally to the U.S., and it will continue to be an important ally. It is a democracy in a region where that is rare."
– Andrew Yang, Taiwanese-American politician (Forward). 1975 AD
Council of Foreign Relations (2019): Candidates Answer CFR's Questions. August 9, 2019 10:13 am (EST)
“I think of [Israel] as the Holy Land. Where Jesus was born and from whence the texts of the Bible come. It is a country with an unbelievable amount of history, extra cool history. No matter how you twist and turn it, that's how it is. Israel means a lot to me as a Christian. It is an absolutely incredible thing when you think about it, that you can experience Israel and its places today.”
– Douglas León / Dogge Doggelito, Venezuelan/Swedish rapper. 1975 AD
Doggelito, D.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“When Israel is surrounded by enemies on every side, when there is such deep hatred for its very existence, is it any wonder that they’re able to stand proudly at all? And yet it holds on, yet it continues. I will, like many of my colleagues, stand here every day voicing my support for one of the few Middle Eastern nations that respects the rules based order, that’s incredibly progressive. Tel Aviv is very modern, progressive city. The IDF has serving women. Do you think Palestine or Hamas has a very welcome rainbow policy for the LGBT community? Tel Aviv does. (...) When it comes to antisemitism, I will call it out every time I see it. I am pro-Israel and I am a Zionist and I won’t be cowering to any of these leftie nut jobs, and the Australian people shouldn’t either. We should call it out every time we see it. I know I will.”
– Hollie Hughes née Nolan, Australian Senator (Liberal) for New South Wales. 1975 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate on 17/10/2023.
"The Israeli story is tremendously positive – a small country that has become an engine room for ideas and the start-up nation of the world. (...) Israel is a great example of a country with a clear sense of its economic destiny: using tech and enterprise and being a great place to build truly global companies. We can learn from this – as we plot a course for Britain after Brexit. Double down on our ingenuity, be open to the world, and embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
– Sam Gyimah, Ghanaian-British Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Lib-Dem.). 1976 AD
CFI Informed Magazine. 2018/2019. Page 22-23.
"In the Saarland we stand unambiguously on the side of the Jews and for Israel’s right to exist. It cuts me to the quick that the budding anti-Semitism also causes Jews in the Saarland anxiety. That is a disgrace for us all. Whoever does not distance himself from terror and murder, even celebrates attacks against Israel on our streets, does not stand for the values of our liberal society, does not belong to us."
– Anke Rehlinger née Moos, Rhenish/German Prime Minister of Saarland (SPD). 1976 AD
Rehlinger, A. (2024): Facebook Post. 7. Oktober 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel has the right to defend itself and to protect its population. I therefore have no understanding for how some speakers here today criticize Israel. Israel, after all, is candidly trying to defend the civil population [of Gaza], even under the acceptance of disadvantages caused thereby."
– Daniel Caspary, Badenian/German MEP (CDU). 1976 AD
European Parliament: Verbatim report of proceedings. Wednesday, 18 October 2023 - Strasbourg. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Today, Israel has one of the most competitive and productive innovation ecosystems in the world. (…) A small nation, lacking natural resources and surrounded by hostility, can only survive by dint of ingenuity, cleverness, and a degree of ‘chutzpah’. In Israel, ideas are prized, experimentation and creativity are encouraged. Failure is seen as valuable experience, not a character blemish. Social hierarchy is almost non-existent, so good ideas can come from anywhere within an organisation. Compulsory military service in a high-technology army, and the large degree of autonomy given to young soldiers in the field, further contribute. (…) We can and should learn from the experiences of countries such as Israel, and adapt them to our own national circumstances.”
– Dave Sharma, Trinidadian-Australian Ambassador to Israel. 1976 AD
"I am from Southern Africa. I grew up after apartheid, but my parents can recall not being allowed to vote or participate in public life because of the colour of their skin. I find it particularly offensive that you would try and compare what they went through and the State of Israel, where non-Jewish citizens have the same rights as their Jewish counterparts. (…) The Jewish presence in Israel is millenia old, whereas the European settlers had to deny that Zimbabwe even had a history before the 1890s. (…) I admire triumph in the face of adversity. A country that builds itself up from undefined borders, war with every one of its neighbours and a 2 million-strong refugee problem ought to be applauded not vilified. (…) The reality is that many African people are very supportive of Israel, even if their governments do not. There are also many African Jews, and indigenous African Christian churches tend to be very Judaic in their character.”
– Masimba Musodza, Zimbabwean screenwriter and author. 1976 AD
"If we are not there to stand up for a country, whose views and ideals are so close, or are simply our own, what are we as a nation? What are we in politics, if we cannot accept and celebrate the wonderful blooming of democracy that is Israel? (...) Britain and Israel have an amazing relationship. We would like to think that we were very much at the birth of the nation, and very much helped it in terms of its delivery and coming into the world… It’s a relationship of partners. We learn a lot from Israel and I hope that Israel also learns a little from us. It’s a partnership of equals. A partnership of friends.”
– Gavin Williamson, English/British Secretary of State for Education (Conservative). 1976 AD
CFI Parliamentary Reception, January 2018.
"My sympathy and support goes out to Israel. I have no reservations in that regard, namely for a few simple reasons. For one thing, I am, as said before, a determined supporter of the national state and its rights to self-determination. I therefore sympathize with the concept of the national state. Second of all, I believe that Israel is the only democratic country in the region... Although it was very liberal in the last decades, the current government, as well as the government that was there before the war, is and was very much to my liking."
– Martin Helme, Estonian Minister of Finance. 1976 AD
Voice of Europe (2023): Interview mit Martin Helme, dem Vorsitzenden der Konservativen Volkspartei Estlands (EKRE). 02.12.2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"We continue to stand clearly on the side of Israel. Israel is the only democracy in the Near and Middle East and therefore also our partner in values."
– Bijan Djir-Sarai, Iranian-German member of Bundestag (FDP). 1976 AD
Djir-Sarai, B. (2024): Facebook Post. 16. Oktober 2024, 08:44. [Translated by C. Nooij]..
“I support Israel, not because I believe somebody put his foot in the sand first somewhere, or some God invited some bearded man to a coffee party to divide the world, but because Israel is the only country in the Middle East, where women and men are equal, homosexuality is officially recognized, opinions, art and science are free, no religion is discriminated against and Jews have to be no better nor worse than other people. Every square meter that takes Israel as an example, is a square meter gained. (…) What is so bad about people building settlements? In the Middle East, Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Christians and many others build settlements, the happiest among them in Israel. In Israel over 20% of all settlers are Muslims. None of them is considered illegal. They are even equal citizens. On the other side of the border, settling Jews however are considered illegal, solely because they’re Jews. House-building Jews are in fact not a problem. Jews have the right to live anywhere, as any human being does!“
– Gerd Buurmann, Lower Saxon/German author, actor and director. 1976 AD
Buurmann, G. (1976): Der Judenretter von Köln. August 29 2017. [Translated by C. Nooij]..
“No party in the Mid-East conflict is flawless, not even Israel. Israel is often actually the first to admit this. But unlike any other country in the region, Israel is a full-fledged democracy with a functioning rule of law, a free press, a diverse political debate and a varied multi-party system. Israeli media are independent and often criticize their own government. Freedom of religion is also a hallmark of Israel.”
– Kristian Norheim, Norwegian member of parliament. 1976 AD
Stortinget avviste å anerkjenne Palestina. 28.05.2015. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“The experience of Israel is unique for Ukraine as experience of the state succeeding despite constant threat.”
– Oksana Syroyid, Ukrainian member of parliament. 1976 AD
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2016): Oksana Syroyid. Ukraine should learn from Israel to be successful in conditions of constant threat. 28 September 2016, at 13:40.
“Our party stands in unity and in solidarity with the nation of Israel and its people. We always have and we always will.”
– David Littleproud, Australian Minister for Agriculture (LNP). 1976 AD
Parliament of Australia. Motions. House of Representatives on 16/10/2023.
“The creation of a modern Jewish homeland is no small achievement, and I am honored to join with Israelis and millions of other people around the world to continue this celebration. (...) The similarities between Arizona and Israel, where people work hard, embrace ingenuity and creativity, and build stronger communities for their families, are also striking.”
– Kyrsten Sinema, Frisian-American Representative (Dem) from Arizona. 1976 AD
United States of America Congressional Record, Proceedings and Debates of ... (2014): Extensions of Remarks, Vol. 160 Pt. 6. 7754. May 9, 2014.
“People need to know what Israel is up against and that Israel is the first line of defense for the West. If Israel goes down, we all go down. [Jews] are the most persecuted people in the history of the planet. Look at the ugly history of pogroms and persecutions, sometimes done in the name of Christ. (...) We truly believe God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. History bears that out. Even a secular person cannot deny all Israel’s enemies end up on the ash heap of history. Where are they today? And the Jewish people live.”
– Erick Stakelbeck, American author and television host from Pennsylvania. 1976 AD
Pine, J. (2017): Christian Zionist praises Israel, warns of jihadist terror. In: Jewish News of Northern California. August 3, 2017.
“I stand with Israel and Jews all around the world. I condemn antisemitism at all cost. I stand for peace. I stand for human rights! Terrorism is never the answer. (...) This is not a time for politics. This is a time for safety first and foremost. God bless America. God bless Israel.”
– Floyd Mayweather né Sinclair, African-American boxing champion. 1977 AD
Instagram Posts, 10 October 2023.
“In Israel there is a risk culture that we sometimes seem to have forgotten in the genes of France. There must be this ability to revive this taste for risk, without which we can do nothing, it is a fundamental element. (...) I think it is necessary to move quickly because the country can not wait. Israel is this small country that has managed to have 5% of its GDP invested in R & D, because it draws capital from all over the world. (...) Many of these people have energy, vitality. They want to create jobs, start-ups and innovate here.”
– Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. 1977 AD
Israël Actualités n°431. Apr 28, 2017. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Hungary is a true friend of Israel and the Jewish communities — this was the unified message of my meetings today with leaders of Jewish organizations. (...) Israel is protecting strongly its people and country, which we can learn and draw consequences from. The alliance between Hungary and Israel is unshakeable and Hungary has taken a stand for Israel many times at international forums. Hungary is proud to be home to Europe’s third largest Jewish community. (...) Hungary will continue to support Israel and do everything in its power so that its Jewish citizens live in as safe an environment as possible.”
– Katalin Novák, President of Hungary (Fidesz). 1977 AD
Neokohn (2022): Katalin Novák. Hungary is a friend of Israel and Jewish communities. 2022. szeptember 30. péntek, 22:00.
About Hungary (2022): President Novák. Hungary and Israel are promoters of peace. November 18 2022.
“As you know, Israel is a friend and key partner of Italy, in the Middle East and at global level. (...) We want to increase our cooperation in the most innovative sectors (as you know, Israel has achieved extraordinary things in the field of technology), such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, and cybersecurity, as well as technology applied to agriculture. We have spoken about this a lot today. As you know, Italy is experiencing a water crisis, for example, and the Government has already taken action on this, but Israel has done extraordinary work over the years from this point of view, transforming a possible weakness into a great strength. I believe this is one of the many sectors in which we can cooperate more.”
– Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy (FdI). 1977 AD
President Meloni’s press statement with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel Friday, 10 March 2023.
“Albania has a lot to learn from Israel. Partnership with democratic countries is one of the guiding principles of our foreign policy and Israel is an accomplished democracy in the Middle East. Its main exports are science, culture, and knowledge. The full potential of trade relations between our two countries has not yet been reached.”
– Ditmir Bushati, Albanian Foreign Minister. 1977 AD
WJC (2014): Albanian FM: 'Albania has a lot to learn from Israel'. 22 Jun 2014.
"We stand on the side of those who are threatened and attacked. We stand on the side of Israel and on the side of the Jews in Germany."
– Marco Buschmann, Rhenish/German Federal Minister of Justice (FDP). 1977 AD
Buschmann, M. (2024): Facebook Post. 7. Oktober 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I stand on Israel’s side! (…) Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. That alone suffices as an argument to stand alongside the civilized population. No need to even mention the ‘historical responsibility’, as the chancellor likes to repeat this worthless phrase like a mantra."
– Stephan Protschka, Bavarian/German member of Bundestag (AfD). 1977 AD
Protschka, S. (2021): Facebook Post. 12. Mai 2021. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I sincerely believe that the State of Israel deserves to exist, so 75 years is a beautiful milestone. And I hope that Israel and the Jewish Diaspora looks proudly upon this beautiful milestone. There's quite a lot of things [I admire about Israel] actually. Israel is of course a very small country, but on the other hand it is a country where a lot of innovation takes place - looking at patent applications. And of course, as a female politician, I find Golda Meir very admirable."
– Nilüfer Gündoğan, Turkish-Dutch member of parliament (Volt). 1977 AD
CIDItv (2023): Israel 75 jaar | Tweede Kamerlid Nilüfer Gündoğan feliciteert Israel. In: Youtube. 19 May 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Today the broader Israel/Gaza/West Bank territory is arguably the most peaceful and stable
area in the region and (…) it is stable only because of the presence of Israeli security forces.”
– Frans Cronjé, South African (Afrikaner) CEO of SAIRR. 1977 AD
Cronjé, F. (2016): CAN ISRAEL AND SOUTH AFRICA FIND REDEMPTION IN EACH OTHER? – TIMES OF ISRAEL, 24 FEBRUARY 2016.
"It is our daily commitment to defend Israel’s right to defend itself with no ifs or buts, to guarantee the security of the Israeli State and the protection of Jewish life. Israel, we stand solidly on your side."
– Christian Dürr, Lower Saxon/German politician (FDP). 1977 AD
Dürr, C. (2024): Facebook Post. 7. Oktober 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel, a tiny nation of just 9,3 million people, of whom 7,2 million are Jews, living in a country the size of Wales and recovering from the worst anti-Semitic pogroms Since the Holocaust, it has been leading the war against barbarism, and its young recruits are doing work that would once have required the intervention of a Western coalition acting as global police. The fact that so many in Britain, Europe and the United States, especially the young, are no longer on Israel's side in this existential struggle exemplifies our cultural, intellectual and ethical degeneration. (...) Israel is the supreme embodiment of national and democratic sovereignty governed by law, of peoplehood, of the equality of a nation with a state, of post-imperialism, of capitalism and technology, and of the continued relevance of monotheistic religions. If Israel is overthrown, the very ideas that underpin the West are destroyed, the international order implodes, and autocracies triumph."
– Allister Heath, French-born Scottish editor of The Sunday Telegraph. 1977 AD
Heath, A. (2024): Israel's bravery exposed the lie at the heart of British foreign policy. The Telegraph. September 22, 2024.
“Australia and Israel have so much in common. We share a great democratic tradition, and it is vital that we support these democratic traditions and support freedom in the Middle East, whether for Arabs, Jews or Christians.”
– Kelly O'Dwyer, Australian Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations (Liberal). 1977 AD
Parliament of Australia. House. Monday, 31 October 2011.
“Israel is the only country in the Middle East in which gay people enjoy anything resembling freedom or human rights. (…) In Israel, equal rights for all are enshrined in the country’s founding document. Hebrew and Arabic are both official languages and Israeli Arabs are represented in high public office including serving as Supreme Court Judges, members of the Knesset, and cabinet ministerial posts. Freedom of the press, religion, and speech are all protected in Israeli law, for everyone.“
– Anne Marie Waters, Hiberno-English activist. 1977 AD
Waters, A.M.: Israel and Gay Rights.
“Look, I'm pro-Israel, because why would I be against it? There are after all only two reasons to have antipathy towards the only democracy in the Middle East. One: because you think there used to be a Palestine and the Jews stole that country. Or two: because you simply hate Jews. Starting with the latter reason: I am not an anti-Semite, so that one is immediately out of question. The fairytale where people claim to be anti-Zionist, but not an anti-Semite - I don't buy it. Because when you ask those anti-Zionists though questions about their motivations, eventually anti-Semitic crap comes out their mouths. “
– Jan Roos, Dutch journalist, politician (VNL) and activist. 1977 AD
Roos, J. (2018): Niet Israël, maar juist de Palestijnen hebben Palestina gekoloniseerd. In: Dagelijkse Standaard. APR 06 2018, 12:00. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I record for this House my support for Israel. It is a great ally of Australia. It is a functioning democracy in the Middle East, and we should be very proud of our support over many years. (...) As a Western country, as a country dedicated to principles of freedom and individual human rights and liberty, Australia’s voice has always been on the side of individual human rights, and it has stood strongly for Israel from the beginning of the modern nation of Israel because we understand that it has a right to exist—a right denied by many countries today. (...) Our relationship with Israel and the Jewish people is so strong, so well rounded and so developed.“
– Alex Hawke, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific (Liberal). 1977 AD
Parliament of Australia. House. Wednesday, 21 September 2011.
Parliament of Australia. House of Representatives on 7/11/2022.
“I think of Israel as a country that has contributed to the world with first-class research and scientific progress. A country that Sweden should have considerably more exchange with.”
– Fredrik Malm, Swedish member of the Riksdag (LUF). 1977 AD
Malm, F.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel doesn't have a lot of natural resources. Its real resource is its people and their creativity, and that has inspired me. (...) Israel is near and dear to my heart (...) It's a place that's managed to embrace its neighbors and create peace within an environment that can be very hostile."
– Ashton Kutcher, American actor and presenter. 1978 AD
Shamah, D. (2013): Ashton Kutcher talks tech, and inspiration, in Tel Aviv. In: The Times of Israel. 14 May 2013, 4:46 pm.
"[Visiting Israel] was a chance to see the determination to create something out of the desert, particularly in agriculture modernization.”
– Sara Duterte-Carpio, Vice President of the Philippines. 1978 AD
Politico (2019): Mayor Sara lauds Israel trip. September 7, 2018.
“I was amazed at the Israeli people and their endurance. The first night that we got there, we went to Tel Aviv and there was the suicide bombing at a discotheque on Tayelet. (…) I was amazed that the Israelis, they just – it’s a big deal, but they have to get on with their lives, you know – and they carry on.”
– Jason Biggs, Italian-American actor. 1978 AD
“There are so many courses here [in Israel], but it’s so healthy. You eat cucumbers and tomatoes for breakfast, and the hummus is unbelievable — everyplace I go, I think it’s the best I’ve ever had in my life. Traveling through Israel has been a life-changing experience for me, from the people to the food to the beautiful sea.”
– Alan John Buckley, Irish-Canadian actor. 1978 AD
Klein Leichman, A. (2012): CSI stars ‘gather evidence’ in Israel. In: Israel21c. June 7, 2012.
“[Israel's] innate quest for security has gone hand in hand—from its inception to the present day—with a deep commitment to the progressive values that we hold dear in this country, especially on the Opposition Benches. It is a country where women enjoy equality; the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community flourishes; there is a free press; the powerless are protected from the powerful by an independent judiciary; trade unions are well-organised and strong; educational excellence and scientific innovation are pursued; religious minorities are free to practise their creeds; a welfare state supports the poor and marginalised; and there is a fully functioning, vibrant, participatory democracy. It would be absurd to suggest that Israel is loved across the middle east. Yet as we look at the hope and uncertainty generated by the Arab spring, the freedoms enjoyed by Israelis are inescapable to anyone in the region with access to the internet and social media. When millions across the middle east are desperate for leaders they can hold to account, Israel’s robust media and the tough stance it regularly takes to senior figures is a genuine beacon for those values.”
– John Woodcock, English/British Independent MP. 1978 AD
UK Parliament (2012): Israel and the Peace Process Volume 542. Debated on Tuesday 27 March 2012
“Israel is a force for good as a democratic country. It is one that has a vibrant free press, that allows the kind of political debate that we take for granted.”
– Ruth Davidson, Scottish Conservative MP. 1978 AD
INFORMED MAGAZINE 2017/2018. Page 26.
“I had very high hopes for Israel and it’s lived up to and surpassed what I had in mind (...) I’ve had such an eye-opening experience – a really nice glimpse into the culture and lives of Israelis and the Jewish people.”
– Omar Benson Miller, African-American actor. 1978 AD
Klein Leichman, A. (2012): CSI stars ‘gather evidence’ in Israel. In: Israel21c. June 7, 2012.
“Israel deserves our critical solidarity. Its right to exist is incontestible. It may not be the projection surface for realistically perceived yet unchallenged contradictions within global capitalism.”
– Katja Kipping, Saxon/German member of Bundestag (Die Linke). 1978 AD
Kipping, K. (2006): Für einen linken Zugang zum Nahostkonflikt jenseits von Antizionismus und antideutschen Zuspitzungen. Seite 6. 08. Dez. 2006. [Translated by C. Nooij]
"I would love to say that I love Israel. (...) I stand here today, very confident. Yes, my nation wants to kill me and execute me and they consider me as a traitor. I stand here, with lots of confidence, to say that, yes, I love Israel. (...) I was a witness, I have been a witness, and I know, that Israel is not the problem in the Middle East. Israel is the solution to the Middle East! I want my people to see and study the Israeli experience. After all the tragedies that this amazing nation had to face, their focus was not to take revenge after the Holocaust. The focus was to survive and to choose life over death. (...) And let me be honest with you in [regards to] this conflict in the Middle East today. After a long experience in the West, reading, studying, reading about all the foundations of this civilization, the Western civilization, and its philosophy, I tell you, if Israel fails in the Middle East, the Western civilization will fail."
– Mosab Hassan Yousef, Palestinian-Arab son of Hamas founder. 1978 AD
2. Deutscher Israelkongress in Frankfurt. 23.10.2011.
"Brazil is for Israel, no one can tear the Bible."
– Joice Hasselmann née Bejuska, Brazilian politician. 1978 AD
Aragão, J. (2017): Brasileiros pedem perdão a Israel durante ato simbólico em Jerusalém. In: Gospel Prime. 5/09/2017 - 21:00.
“Small minorities and marginal groups in all parts of the world have always interested me, but I was always more interested in Jews than any other group because of their impressive accomplishments and achievements, in spite of their numerical insignificance. (…) The more I read about Jews, the more my admiration grew for them. The Jewish saga is a tale of unprecedented heroism and self-sacrifice; Jews were humiliated and mistreated like no other people in history. That despite this, the Jews rose and returned to their ancient homeland (Israel) after two thousand years[, which] speaks volumes about the character of these tenacious people. I admire Jews as much for their resilience and courage as for their wisdom and scholarship.”
– Navras Jaat Aafreedi, Pashtun/Indian Muslim scholar. 1978 AD
Maistrovoy (2007): 'I Love Israel - My Forefathers Were Probably Jews'. In: Arutz Sheva. Apr 12, 2007, 8:50 AM (GMT+3).
“I have always taken an interest in the Middle East and already had sympathy for Israel as an open, free and democratic country in a dangerous part of the world. (...) Israel’s incredible high-tech start-up scene is gaining global recognition. From cyber security to open government platforms, Israel is leading the way in many breakthrough technologies.”
– Oliver Dowden, English Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Conservative). 1978 AD
CFI Informed Magazine 2015/2016. Page 10.
"Once we [the members of the Coushatta Tribe] began to look into it, we found similar stories about the plight of Native Americans and the Jewish people: the search for homelands, banishment from our homelands, adversity and persecution. We both also have modern-day challenges of security and land rights. Both the Coushatta Tribe and the Jewish people have carved prosperous nations out of the wilderness. Look at how much both we and Israel have achieved in a relatively short amount of time. Speaking of similarities, the Jewish people and the Coushatta, we still speak our ancient language fluently. It’s almost a miracle I’m sitting here in the twenty-first century despite our struggles, despite the fact that a lot of Native American tribes were wiped out by disease. But the Coushatta are thriving, and it’s almost a miracle that Israel exists today, so this is something pretty special.”
– David Sickey, Native American Vice-Chairman of the Coushatta Tribe. 1978 AD
Good, A. (2012): Israel and the Coushatta. One miracle that deserves another. In: The Times of Israel. 7 March 2012, 9:56 pm.
"Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East and always has been and that’s not going to change."
– Seth Moulton, American Representative (Dem) from Massachusetts. 1978 AD
Jewish Insider (2019): Meet the 2020 Democrat running on foreign policy. May 28, 2019.
“A nation without a state is a peculiar thing in this era. However, it has not been easy to declare a state as the situation of Tibet and the Kurds proves. The present existence of the state of Israel is therefore almost the miracle of the world.”
– Kimmo Hoikkala, Finnish journalist. 1978 AD
"We, and that means all Germans, have made the promise to the Jewish people after World War II that they would have a home in Israel, within which they would feel secure and could live in peace. And this very promise is German raison d’être. We stand unreservedly on the side of Israel and all who wish to live in Germany must also make this promise. We cannot tolerate the anti-Semitism that is currently sweeping through German streets. (…) That people in Israel and Germany are able to live safely is OUR responsibility and we owe this to Jews all over the world. So much forgiveness has been shown to us Germans after the crimes of the Holocasut, now it’s our turn to ensure that the crimes will never be forgotten [and] (…) such a thing never happens again."
– Ann Christin von Allwörden, Holsteinian/German politician (CDU). 1978 AD
Allwörden, A. C. von (2023): Nie wieder - ist jetzt!. In: Facebook. 9. November 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Since we consider the only democracy in the Middle East to be a bulwark of Western civilization against the surrounding dictatorships as well as out of solidarity, we have forged close relations with Israel, as both of our Israel trips demonstrate and we support its membership in the NATO."
– Marc Doll, German teacher and politician (DIE FREIHEIT). 1978 AD
Doll, M. (2011): Antwort auf Frage. In: Abgeordnetenwatch. 10.08.2011.. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I wish that people, not just in the Middle East but around the world, approach Israel honestly. The largest poison is the propaganda. Today everyone can be informed; information can be exchanged. I admire Israel. It is a country circled by enemies.”
– Laila Mirzo, Kurdish-German chief editor of Jüdische Rundschau. 1978 AD
Weinthal, B. (2022): Meet the Syrian-born Kurdish editor-in-chief of German Jewish newspaper. In: Jerusalem Post. November 21 2022 18:55.
“Israel is, in my eyes, made up chiefly of images – and not just about war. Rather, they’re chiefly images of Tel Aviv, the light of Tel Aviv; of the light of Herat; of wonderful Jerusalem; of a hundred nations that form Israel. The truth about Israel is really close to these images, to this dream of freedom and hospitality. If you talk about Israel, you should abandon all prejudice and tell how this besieged democracy was built. They achieved important goals regarding hospitality: Darfour refugees were welcomed in Israel, for example. Tel Aviv is a city that’s always full of life and acceptance. It’s one of the most accepting cities in the world towards gay people. It allows an Israeli gay community and even an Arab one to live free from incomprehension or persecution.”
– Roberto Saviano, Italian writer, activist and journalist. 1979 AD
Saviano, R. (2010): Roberto Saviano: “Israele luogo di libertà e accoglienza”. A Roma il 7 ottobre “Per la verità, per Israele!“.
“Israel is a beacon of light in a mostly dark Middle East. Israel is the only democratic constitutional state in that region, the only country in the Middle East where everybody – Jews, Christians and Muslims – can live in freedom. Israel stands for hope, for progress and for western civilization. Freedom, democracy and rule of law are also the only foundations upon which human rights, stability and the economy can flourish. But in the barren Middle East, nothing flourishes, except in Israel. And that should be appreciated and even praised – especially in the West.”
– Joram van Klaveren, Dutch member of parliament (PVV / VNL). 1979 AD
[Translated by C. Nooij].
“Without any question there were significant Jewish intellectuals in Western spiritual history. Particularly in Germany however, one cannot speak of a Jewish-Christian heritage just like that. (…) A religion like Judaism, which celebrates its own liberty annually during Passover, develops a different understanding of the state than we Germans do, who have since Hegel misunderstood the state as a realization of the objective spirit. Furthermore, Judaism justifies a totally different educational tradition, since even the artisan has read his own prayers for centuries. The Torah teaches respect in the face of diverging opinions.”
– Christian Lindner, Rhenish/German member of the Bundestag (FDP). 1979 AD
Peyman Engel, P. (2011): »Ich will keinen Gegensatz zwischen Vernunft und Glaube«. In: Jüdische Allgemeine. 06.06.2011 11:57 Uhr. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I am pro-Israel because I am very matter-of-factly pro-America. I am pro-United States. The country that I think should remain the dominant superpower in the world is the United States. To aid the United States in that objective, we must ensure the survival of Israel and the Israeli State. (...) Having a strategic, economic and military partner like Israel (...) gives us an incredible economic and military advantage over the entire globe that we cannot sacrifice. Ideology aside, if we want to protect American lives, we have to ensure the long-term longevity, support and close relationships with the Israeli people and with the country of Israel. That is my official position. (…) The bottom-line, practical element here, is that Israel encourages and expands national security objectives for the United States."
– Andrew Bustamante, Cuban-American CIA intelligence officer. 1979 AD
Bustamante, A. (2024): Coming Clean. I Support Israel. In: Youtube. 8 May 2024.
“Israel is home to a vibrant start-up ecosystem, with every indicator suggesting that Israel is fast becoming a global pioneer for health-tech. With over 1,500 companies dedicated to healthcare and life sciences, investments in health-tech start-ups are soaring. (...) Israel was also ranked sixth place in the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation by the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, positioning it ahead of both the United States and the United Kingdom. The Jewish State's focus on health-tech is now contributing significantly to the health sphere worldwide, including to our NHS and the health of the British public. (...) One in seven of all generic prescription medicines used by the NHS is supplied by a single Israeli pharmaceutical company, Teva, saving the British taxpayer billions of pounds. The NHS saves roughly £2.7 billion by prescribing and dispensing Teva's products, freeing up funds for 114,000 nurses, 98,000 first year junior doctors or 47,000 GPs. (...) One revolutionary Israeli health-tech device taking pressure off our NHS, which I am delighted is being used in my Buckingham constituency, is Healthy.io's Minuteful, which allows Brits to test at home for diabetes, high blood pressure or other risk factors for chronic kidney disease. The simple low-cost device enables NHS patients to test with ease in the comfort of their own homes using a smartphone app, bypassing costly and time-intensive GP appointments, and then to go straight to pharmacists where they are able to dispense medication. This saves lives as well as saving taxpayer money. Apos Therapy, a non-invasive, foot-worn medical device for patients with osteoarthritis, is also helping the NHS avoid costly procedures and patients elude surgery.”
– Greg Smith, English/British Conservative MP. 1979 AD
CFI INFORMED MAGAZINE 2023/2024. Page 31.
“Australia has had a long, warm and close relationship with Israel. Our relationship dates back to the First World War when Australian forces fought in the Sinai-Palestine campaign against the Ottomans. Australia was the first country to vote in favour of the United Nations 1947 partition resolution, which ultimately led to the creation of Israel as a nation state. In 1949, Australia and Israel established diplomatic relations. Australia's bilateral economic relationship with Israel continues to grow. In 2019-20, Israel was Australia's 45th largest two-way trading partner and 50th largest export market, with trade ties worth $1.3 billion. Australia is home to vibrant Australian-Israeli community and I thank them for the rich contributions to Australia over the years.”
– Chris Minns, Australian Premier of New South Wales (Labor). 1979 AD
NSW Parliament. May 12. Fifty-Seventh Parliament First Session Thursday, 12 May 2022.
“Geography aside, it is Israel that is still truly a western country. Far more than many parts of western Europe now are. A gap may well be emerging. But not because Israel has drifted away from the West. Rather because today in much of the West, as we bask in the afterglow of our achievements — eager to enjoy our rights, but unwilling to defend them — it is the West that is, slowly but surely, drifting away from itself. (…) Israel takes western values seriously and fights for the survival of those values.”
– Douglas Murray, Scottish author and journalist. 1979 AD
Murray, D. (2014): The West has drifted away from Israel — and itself. In: The Spectator. 16 July 2014, 12:00am.
"We [Muslims] must understand Israel and its history, and not completely reject it,” he said. “The Quran mentions the Bani Isra’il [Children of Israel] and says that Allah gave them this land. The first direction of prayer in Islam was Jerusalem, not because of Al-Aqsa, but because it was the direction of prayer of the Jewish people. (...) Israel is a success story. Who wants to be friends with losers? "
– Ahmed Qureishi, Pakistani journalist and analyst. 1979 AD
Pacchiani, G. (2024): In Israel, activists from Muslim countries denounce common threat of radical Islam. In: Times of Israel. 26 April 2024, 9:07 am.
“Israel (...) has a comprehensive social security system and higher investment in healthcare and education than the UK. Healthcare in Israel is universal in a mixed public/private system, where every citizen has to be registered with one of four, heavily subsidised, healthcare insurers. Its high standard of health services, medical technology and research, modern hospital facilities and high ratio of physicians to population contribute to both the country’s standard of health and its economy, with Israel becoming a major centre of medical and biomedical research. By 2006, for example, Israelis had produced the largest amount of publications involving stem cell research per capita in the world.”
– Rachel Reeves, English/British Labour MP. 1979 AD
Reeves, R. & Reynolds, J. (2011): Israel’s thriving economy. Active government support and a strong base for social welfare. In: Garratt, B. (2011): Making the Progressive Case for Israel. Page. 1-8.
“It is admirable that Israel is a democracy, considering the circumstances and its geography. (...) As a politician, one should not have a kind of preference for one of the sides but I think in our heart, we had a preference for Israel not only because of our past ties, but also regarding Israel being a democratic state, stable state, and anybody who visited Israel is impressed by what they have achieved, especially compared to their neighbours ”
– Tamás Harangozó, Hungarian member of the National Assembly. 1979 AD
Kalhousová, I. (2019): Our Jews, Our Israel!. Page 199.
“Israel’s right to exist ought to be defended by all means of diplomacy. I view it with great concern that Israel is surrounded by enemies. ”
– Alice Weidel, Westphalian/German member of Bundestag (AfD). 1979 AD
Tagesspiegel (2024): AfD-Chefin Weidel stellt Waffenexporte an Israel infrage. 24.08.2024, 09:22. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I'm surprised today that so many speakers here criticise the State of Israel, the only rule-of-law-based democratic state in the Middle East, a partner state of the European Union. Don't they see the connection between the cruelty on the one side and the defence of Israel on the other side?"
– Lukas Mandl, Austrian MEP (ÖVP). 1979 AD
Verbatim report of proceedings XML. Tuesday, 8 October 2024 - Strasbourg.
“The USA as well as Germany [have] a fundamental interest in the wellbeing of Israel, the most
modern democracy in the Middle East. (…) Our friendship with the Israeli people is unbreakable.”
– Philipp Mißfelder, Rhenish/German member of the Bundestag (CDU). 1979 – 2015 AD
CDU/CSU: Israels Existenzrecht ist Staatsraison. In: Israelnetz. 14. Mai 2013. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I believe Jewish people have a right to national self-determination. That makes me a Zionist.”
– Lisa Nandy, English Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Labour). 1979 AD
KEIR STARMER SPEECH FOR LFI ANNUAL LUNCH 2021.
“Defense cooperation with Israel, in particular the Israeli defense equipment, plays a crucial and important role and we are thankful to Israel and the Israeli people. It is very much inscribed in the memory of Azerbaijani people. Azerbaijan and Jewish people have centuries-old traditions of the bonds of friendship and partnership, and currently Israel and Azerbaijani have that cooperation in many spheres, developing dynamically.”
– Hikmet Hajiyev, Azerbaijani assistant to the President. 1979 AD
Freund, J. (2023): Azerbaijan’s Presidential Aide Visits Israel and Emphasizes Strong Shared Bond. In: Caspian Policy Center. Sep 8 2023.
“64 years ago Israel achieved its long-promised independence as millions of Jews, many of them Shoah survivors, returned to their aboriginal homeland to build a democracy in the desert. In those six and a half decades, they have built one of the most technologically, democratically, culturally and educationally advanced nations on earth. It is the only place in the Middle East where it is safe to be a woman, gay, Christian or Baha'i. (…) Judaism is a religion that binds families and communities. It is a religion that demonstrates the value of thoughtfulness, forgiveness and atonement."
– Pierre Poilievre, French-Canadian Minister of Employment (Conservative). 1979 AD
Debates of April 26th, 2012. Yom Ha'atzmaut Statements By Members. Pierre Poilievre Nepean—Carleton, ON.
“Israel has the right to exist. The Jewish people, as indigenous to the land, through the modern state of Israel, tell the story of the most remarkable indigenous revival on Planet Earth. The world's recognition of this Israeli legitimacy, this Zionism, is long overdue. Terror runs across the streets of that great country, that amazing, remarkable democracy. (...) Time and time again, Israel has proven them wrong, against great odds, fighting to preserve its state and proving beyond any doubt its ability to defend itself and its capital. In most instances, such strength would be taken as an example of Israel's permanence, yet each time, the Jewish state is forced to sue for peace and grant concessions to its enemies."
– Shuvaloy Majumdar, Indo-Canadian Conservative MP. 1979 AD
House of Commons. 44TH PARLIAMENT, 1ST SESSION. MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023.
"I suddenly discovered a world that I never knew existed. I discovered that the Jews weren’t as bad as I was told growing up. I discovered that they have a good side that I am drawn to. I identified with their principles and the way they protect one another. I felt that I wanted to become a part of this country."
– Ala Wahib, Arab-Israeli officer in the Israeli Defense Forces.
An Officer and a Muslim Zionist. In: Israel haYom.
“Ask any child in any of the churches which are scattered around the world, from America to China, ask any Muslim who is knowledgeable in the Koran, and he will tell you that the land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel. (…) The people of Israel were born in the desert and wandered among all the nations of the world. Today we have a permanent home after thousands of years of exile. The sukkah reminds us that we have to maintain that home, or else we will be forced back, G-d forbid, into the disgrace of exile.”
– Eyal Assad, Druze-Israeli member of the Knesset.
Arutz Sheva (2016): Children know Israel belongs to Jews. Oct 18, 2016, 8:51 PM (GMT+3).
“For 2,000 years following Masada's fall, Jews have been exiled, have been despoiled, have been fleeced, abused, denuded and dispossessed of home, homestead, property and dignity. Yet they did not go out on a rampage killing people, killing innocent civilians. More recently, apart from their 2,000 years of dispossession and exile, more recently the trauma of World War II and the Holocaust, not only decimated the numbers of Jews worldwide, but also stripped them of all that they had left, all that they had owned and had managed to hold on to. And emerging from this war of destruction, this genocide if you will, they emerged from that with spirits unbroken, even though they were demographically stunted. They still managed to come home, back to the Holy Land, but they came back with nothing, with not so much as a whimper, after they had returned, not so much as a hint of a sound of a complaint. They pulled themselves by their bootstraps, they toiled, they hustled and rebuilt themselves from nothing. They made malaria-infested marshes and arid deserts, they made them verdant with springs and vineyards and milk and honey and fruit of the land. They built a world-class economy, a cutting-edge technological powerhouse, benefiting the whole world, healing the whole world. There's hardly a tool of modern life that you make use of on a daily basis and take for granted that did not have an Israeli technology go into it. You cannot not respect that.”
– Franck Salameh, Lebanese-American Maronite professor, translator and anthologist.
Salameh, F. (2023): Episode 44, Never again shall Masada fall!!. In: Youtube. 9 October 2023.
“Agriculture in Israel is a highly established industry. Israel is a major exporter of garden-fresh produce and a world-leader in agricultural technologies despite the fact that the geography of Israel is not indeed advantageous to agriculture. More than half of the land area is desert, and the climate and lack of water resources do not favor farming, nonetheless it has put its land to use through modern hi-tech farming, agro-tourism attraction and a number of more adaptable activities.”
– Dr Simon Wagura Ndiritu, Kenyan lecturer.
Entrepreneurs Hub (2016): AGRI-BUSINESS: WHAT KENYA CAN LEARN FROM ISRAEL?. May 2, 2016.
“As an organization representing the Afrikaans people of South Africa, we express unwavering support for the State of Israel and its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism. (...) Israel has long faced the threat of terrorism, and we stand firmly behind its right to defend itself against those who seek to harm innocent civilians. Boers for Israel recognizes the complexities of the region and supports Israel’s efforts to maintain its security and safeguard the well-being of its citizens. (...) Israel is a model for those worldwide who support the idea of ethnocrats. Together, we stand united against terrorism and advocate for a just and lasting resolution to the complex issues in the Middle East. We are ashamed, as South Africans, that our own government is putting its support behind terrorism and against the righteous and just State of Israel.”
– Willem Petzer, South African (Afrikaner) activist.
Boers for Israel (2024): Letter to the Editor: Boers for Israel. In: Atlanta Jewish Times. January 31, 2024, 10:44 am.
“Jerusalem is the blessed royal citadel of the Hebrew people. (…) As Christians, we are the children of Abraham. Israel (Jacob) is our brother as are his descendants. Jesus Himself specifically chose to be born as a Jew and never lost His ‘Jewishness’ whilst establishing Christianity. The founding fathers of our faith—the apostles—were also Jews. And lest we forget, salvation was ‘of the Jews’ and to them first. Then to the Gentiles. (…) The Jews are still—and will always be—the apple of His eye. (…) No Jew deserves to be cursed, unsupported, or discriminated against because they are Jews. How would you ever account to God for your wrong?”
– Desiree M. Mondesir, African-American evangelist and author.
“Israel is the paradise for Christians from the Middle East. In Israel we enjoy freedom and have rights, we can say what we want, organize activities, found associations, and that is why we can be so active in society. (…) Finally, after 1,400 years of the Middle East being occupied and controlled by different forces, the Jews come along and recognize us, the Aramean people, who are even now being persecuted by Islamist forces (ISIS) in Iraq and elsewhere. Here, at the hands of the Jews, we receive justice.”
– Shadi Khalloul Risho, Aramean-Israeli first lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Simcox, L. (2014): Dr. Ateek’s Rose-Colored Glasses. September/October 2014.
“ISIS represents nothing but fear. Israel, however, always offers hope. Right from its Declaration of Independence, it pledged itself to democracy, the rule of law and the equal treatment of minorities – an inspirational determination that was born at a time when much of the world lived under dictatorship. (…) I am the proud leader of Brent, the most diverse borough in the UK. (…) I understand how critical Israel is to Jewish life in the UK: It could only be, when a plurality of the world Jewish community – more than 40 percent – live in Israel.”
– Muhammad Butt, Kashmiri-British politician.
Butt, M. (2016): I’m sorry for sharing Israel slur – boycotts are wrong. In: Jewish News. July 14 2016, 1:42.
“Armenians and Jews share many things in common: they are both ancient Near Eastern people with a long and storied history. (…) Both peoples are known for their prowess in the arts and commerce and value education to an almost preternatural extent. (…) The kinship has been lost over many centuries of co-existence, but looking at names and even physiological similarities, it is not hard to imagine how close these two people have been historically. (…) Like Israel, Armenia finds itself surrounded by mostly hostile states—in particular Turkey and Azerbaijan. (…) Everyone knows that Israel and Armenia, and Armenians and Jews, are kindred spirits and friends. To believe otherwise is simply to turn the world upside down.”
– Christopher Atamian, Armenian-American writer.
Atamian, C. (2017): Armenians and Jews: Natural Allies, Kindred Spirits. In: Huffpost. Jan 30, 2015, 10:12 AM EST.
“There are hundreds of Jews hailing from many corners of the world who are currently working in Saudi Arabia, contributing to its financial, infrastructure, and energy projects. (…) Israel has a reputation as one of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced countries in the field of mining, with a robust, globally recognized diamond industry. (…) Israel is also a world leader in the water engineering industry, which makes it extraordinarily qualified to help Saudi Arabia with its ambitious desalination plans.”
– Salman al-Ansari, Saudi-American lobbyist.
Al-Ansari, Salman (2016): How Israel can contribute to Saudi’s vision 2030. In: Middle East Transparent. 12 October 2016.
"I landed in Israel during trying times whereby the people of God are being persecuted, I came to lend my voice of support [and to say] that as a believer myself, I can’t keep quiet. I will mobilize Christians all over the world to support [Israel], because this place is our tangible and intangible heritage site. I understand there are people who have an interest in saying that there is apartheid, but without coming here, they simply feed on the media."
– Zwelakhe Mthethwa, Zulu King of the Mthethwa Tribe.
Miltz, J. (2018): ‘This Is Our Heritage,’ Zulu King After Emotional Visit To Israel. In: JUIG! Nuus.
"Jewish people are indeed indigenous to the land from which they were forcibly removed. Following this expulsion from their homeland, Jews suffered the indignity of being the skunk of the world. (…) The Jewish people are indigenous to Israel, including the contested West Bank and the holy city of Jerusalem. These are descendants of Jewish refugees who were displaced centuries ago and they are back to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. There is no self-respecting, sober intellectual who will argue that returning to your ancestral homeland from whence you were displaced makes you a ‘settler’. (…) The insistence of the Arab world on denying Jewish people, the indigenous people of Israel, the right to sovereign existence is a main reason this conflict has lasted for so long. (…) Expecting people with a bitter history of persecution, like the Jewish people, to abandon the idea of a Jewish state, the only state that has guaranteed them freedom and security, is not only unreasonable, but also unfair. (…) The only way to protect Jewish people from all the hardships they have suffered the world over is to defend their inalienable right to self-determination."
– Tshediso Mangope, South African activist.
Mangope, T. (2022): I USED TO FIGHT AGAINST ISRAEL—UNTIL I WENT THERE. In: Israel Forever Foundation.
“The declaration that ‘salvation is from the Jews’ suggests our immeasurable debt to Israel.
All that we have worth having has come to us through the Jews. Our Bible is a Jewish Book,
and our Savior is a Jewish Savior. Let us never forget to pray for God's chosen people.”
– S. Michael Houdmann, American president of Got Questions Ministries.
GotQuestions.org: Should Christians support the nation of Israel?.
"Ask yourself: how many Jewish people are in either one of H-groups [i.e. Hamas and Hezbollah] or have any governing power in those areas? Not very many, if any. There are Arabs all throughout the Israeli government. I mean, Arabs are over 20% of the population in Israel. And it's so stupid to watch people demonize Israel for literally defending themselves."
– Jeffery Mead, African-American digital marketeer.
Instagram Post. 23 September 2024.
"Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. (...) Since its creation, the democratic system designed by the socialist Zionist movement that formed the State has been one of the most stable in the West."
– Gabriel Morales Sod, Mexican columnist.
Morales Sod, G. (2022): ¿El fin de Israel como democracia?. In: La Razón.10/12/2022 01:02.
"Who takes a step back and looks at the development of the State of Israel during the past decades, can only be impressed. From a bone dry desert to a water surplus. From absolute poverty to one of the most important high tech centres in the world. And from defenceless Holocaust victims to the strongest army of the Middle East. Israel also happens to be the country that absorbed the most immigrants per capita by far. From all corners of the world, Jews poured into Israel to turn it into a success. They were led by a series of illustrious leaders. These pioneers, with their unbridled commitment and conviction, built op the country and filled all possible functions, to finally end up in the highest position: prime minister."
– Ralph Dekkers, Dutch Middle East correspondent for daily De Telegraaf.
Dekkers, R. (2023): 75 jaar Israël. (Klein-)kinderen van vier premiers over de Joodse natie. In: Elsevier. 17 april 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Like any nation, Israel is not perfect - but it is a vibrant multi-ethnic democracy with a free press and the rule of law. It stands as a shining beacon of hope in a region of autocracies and religious extremists."
– Rishi Sunak, Indo-British Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Conservative). 1980 AD
Rose, D. (2022): Rishi Sunak praises Israel as a shining beacon of hope and denounces claim it is an aprtheid state. In: Jewish Chronicle. August 4, 2022.
"Israel is a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. Defending Israel is not part of the culture wars. It is symbolic of defending humanity."
– Suella Braverman née Fernandes, Indo-British Home Secretary (Conservative). 1980 AD
Wallis Simons, J. (2023): 'We will protect British Jews from harm', says Home Secretary Suella Braverman. In: The Jewish Chronicle. October 12 2023.
“Last summer I had the great pleasure again to visit Israel. A country that I admire and consider a strong alliance partner for Denmark. By comparing Israel with its neighbors, one really notices the difference in culture. Israel is a democratic, modern and extremely diligently country - despite the fact that the country only had half a century to build up and was furthermore located in a barren desert. Arabs around it have only created desert - mentally and physically. Yes, wherever Islam is gaining ground, desert is spreading itself.”
– Morten Messerschmidt, German-Danish member of European parliament. 1980 AD
"Have you ever asked yourself how the small entity called Israel managed to hold the entire world in its palm? Instead of continually cursing the entire world, have you tried to understand how Israel made all those achievements in all areas? (...) Israel is an entity that lives beside us, has a climate similar to ours, and if we look a bit further we will discover that this entity has no natural resources – and despite all this, it surpasses us! (...) This entity knows that education is the basis of society and the basis of its culture and unity."
– Omar Al-Tabtabaee, Kuwaiti member of parliament. 1980 AD
Ben Solomon, A. (2014): Arab writers call for learning from Israel's technology, democracy and morality. In: Jerusalem Post. May 2 2014, 02:15.
"All of my adult life I have been a proud Zionist. (...) We recognise and continue to support our great friend Israel as the unique beacon of liberal democracy in the Middle East. The strength of our relationship with Israel originates from our shared commitments to democracy, liberty, the rule of law and a pluralist society. In all discussions of international conflict, and particularly the Israel-Palestine dispute, we must always follow our moral compass and recognise our support for the state of Israel, its right to defend itself and its right to exist. (...) The right of the Jewish people in Israel [is] a foundational pillar for peace in the region. (...) There is no ambiguity in my view: Israel’s fight, is Australia’s fight, is our fight for civilisation together against barbarism."
– Tim Wilson, Australian Liberal MP. 1980 AD
Tim Wilson (2024): Post on LinkedIn. October 2024.
Parliament of Australia. Federation Chamber. Monday, 22 May 2017.
Wilson, T. (2021): Speech. June 2, 2021.
“Israel presents a successful example of how an active government, engaged with universities, banks and business, can encourage innovation and entrepreneurship to create a thriving technology industry. Today, the high-tech clusters of Tel Aviv and the ‘Silicon Wadi’ are second only to America’s Silicon Valley. They are populated by large international companies such as Google, IBM and Microsoft as well as local firms. (...) Despite a population of just 7.7 million, the country has an impressive lead in high-tech industries. It has the highest number of high-tech start-ups per capita in the world and, in 2009, there were more Israeli firms on the NASDAQ than those from China and India combined.”
– Jonathan Reynolds, English/British Labour MP. 1980 AD
Reeves, R. & Reynolds, J. (2011): Israel’s thriving economy. Active government support and a strong base for social welfare. In: Garratt, B. (2011): Making the Progressive Case for Israel. Page. 1-8.
"I have come to really appreciate the Jewish heritage and the Jewish state. I understand how geopolitically we are linked and how critical it is that we stand by such a strong ally. (…) What western civilization represents today is an understanding that Zionism and Americanism are the front-lines of western civilization and freedom in our world today. It is an eternal bond, an unbreakable bond, that represents faith and freedom and fidelity to historic, religious, and cultural traditions: the opposite of secularism and Islamism and anti-Semitism."
– Pete Hegseth, Norwegian-American author, tv presenter and military officer. 1980 AD
2016 interview with The Jewish Press.
2018 speech to National Young Israel.
"Israel was born amidst war, but it has come through adversity as an established democracy in the Middle East. Of course, Israel is not perfect, nor should we defend every action of the Israeli government. Israel does, however, show the world that a free and democratic society, governed by the rule of law, is possible in the Middle East."
– Maurice Golden, Scottish member of parliament (Conservative). 1980 AD
CFI (2016): CONSERVATIVE MSP MAURICE GOLDEN PRAISES ISRAEL’S DEMOCRACY IN SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT.
“Today there is a new anti-Semitism around the world. And the new anti-Semitism is wearing a mask, is not about Jewish people anymore: it’s about Israel – because it’s more politically correct. Today, attacking Israel is much easier. And I’m not telling you here that Israel is perfect or the Jewish people is perfect. No, they’re human beings like me and you. You can criticize Israel as you wish – and as a matter of fact, I lived in Israel and there’s nobody who criticizes Israel more than Israelis. You can criticize Israel as you wish, but you cannot take from Israel two foundations: Israel’s right to exist and Israel’s right to defend itself.“
– Rev. Majed el-Shafie, Egyptian convert to Christianity. 1980 AD
“So far everything (especially people, food and culture) has been really nice to experience [in Israel]. (…) I can recommend Israel for adventurers, those who love orienteering and good food and enjoy the social surroundings these great Israeli people can organize!”
– Pasi Ikonen, Finnish orienteering champion. 1980 AD
Israel Orienteering: O-TRAVEL & O-TRAINING.
“My main difference with the majority of Muslims is the belief that a Jewish homeland
is an important progress for all of us, especially one in their ancestral land of Israel.”
– Afdhere Jama, Somalian-American author and filmmaker. 1980 AD
Sacirbey, O. (2006): Faces of US Muslim and Jewish dissent. In: The Christian Science Monitor. August 4 2006.
“I am lighting the torch [for Israel’s 67th anniversary] for all human beings wherever they may be who have not lost hope for peace, and for the children, full of innocence who live on this Earth. For those we were but are no more, who fell victim to baseless hatred by those who have forgotten that we were all born in the image of one God. For Sephardim and Ashkenazim, religious and secular, Arabs and Jews, sons of this motherland that reminds us that we have no other place, for us as Israel, for the honor of mankind and for the glory of the State of Israel.“
– Lucy Aharish, Arab-Israeli TV anchor. 1981 AD
Beck, J. (2015): ‘This is our country, there is no other,’ says teary-eyed Aharish in Arabic. In: The Times of Israel. 22 April 2015, 10:39 pm.
"We stand on the side of Israel. (…) It is a state recognized within the international community of states, a democratic state, by the way the only democratic state in this region, our partner."
– Karoline Edtstadler, Austrian chancellery minister (ÖVP). 1981 AD
Edtstadler, K. (2023): Facebook Post. 29. Oktober 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Australia values its longstanding relationship with Israel, which is based on shared values, common interests and strong political, economic, cultural and social ties. This is a relationship that (...) continues to flourish under the Australian government today."
– Michael Sukkar, Lebanese-Australian (Maronite) Minister for Housing (Liberal). 1981 AD
Michael Sukkar MP – statement on the death of former Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon.
“I never hid that in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I am on the side of Israel. (…) I understand, especially as a citizen of a country that was occupied for so long, that the Jewish people have a right to their country – and should not have to wander all over the world. We Poles know it well, because many Jews were once our lands. Today they have their Israel, do not need to flee to anywhere else. Let's therefore support them diplomatically in the Middle East. That pays off for Poland.”
– Jan Dziedziczak, Polish member of parliament. 1981 AD
“You may criticize Israel, but one should still keep the situation in view. One ought to just look at the world map. There, Israel is the only democracy of the Middle East – aside from the Kurdish areas. There is freedom of expression and religion. Everybody is allowed to freely display their sexuality. Israel is the Garden of Eden of the region, which emerged from a wasteland. Around Israel, there’s only dictatorships, autocracies and thug states. One-sided criticism on Israel is not serious, but simply clear anti-Semitism.“
– Tobias Huch, Rhenish/German enterpreneur and politician. 1981 AD
[Translated by C. Nooij].
“Australia values its longstanding relationship with Israel, which is based on shared values, common interests and strong political, economic, cultural and social ties. This is a relationship that was fostered during Mr Sharon’s prime ministership and that continues to flourish under the Australian government today."
– Michael Sukkar, Lebanese-Australian Minister for Housing (Liberal). 1981 AD
Parliament of Australia. House. Wednesday, 12 February 2014.
“It's not that hard, I am unconditionally Team Israel. And that's because I was raised with 'Nie Wieder'. And 'Nie Wieder' is now. (...) I support Israel because one can hold democratic demonstrations against dubious juridical reforms there."
– Bart Nijman, Dutch chief editor of blog GeenStijl. 1981 AD
Nijman, B. (2023): Het is niet moeilijk, ik ben onvoorwaardelijk Team Israël. In: REVU. 19 okt. 2023 | 16:49. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"We Iranians are fighting the Islamic Republic, not Israel. We have no problem with the Jews and the Israelis, and we consider them our friends. The Iranian people should not pay the price of the regime's madness."
– Vahid Sarlak, Iranian-German judoka. 1981 AD
Weiss, N. (2024): Greatest Iranian soccer player supports Israel: "We are Iran, not the Islamic Republic". In: Arutz Sheva. April 15 2024.
“Israel is a very modern and developed country. It has beautiful beaches and people is very nice and close, with a similar character to the Spanish one.”
– Carlos Cuéllar, Castilian/Spanish footballer 1981 AD
Cuellar 24 (2016): "Israel is a modern and safe country, and the people is very nice". November 2016.
“Throughout their long history, the yearning to return to the Land of Israel was the focus of Jewish life. Independence Day is thus a celebration of the renewal of the Jewish state in the land where the Jewish people began to develop their distinctive religion and culture some 4,000 years ago. (...) Today, Israel is best known as an innovator – from USBs, Firewalls and other IT saves, to agricultural equipment that boosts yields and saves water, and pharmaceutical and medical wonders. It has more hi-tech start-ups per capita than anywhere else in the world, and is second only to the US in venture capital funds.”
– Katie Ruth Davies, English journalist and author living in Georgia. 1981 AD
Davies, K.R. (2023): Israel Celebrates 75 Years of Independence with Tbilisi-based Friends. In: Georgia Today. June 1 2023.
“Israel’s remarkable story is partly one of remembering this terrible past but, also, looking forward to a much more hopeful future. There is – and I’ve seen it already – an essential vibrancy to this country. (...) The United Kingdom stands with you, as we work together for a peaceful and prosperous future.”
– William Mountbatten-Windsor, English Prince of Wales. 1982 AD
CFI Year in Review. 2018. Page 4.
“When you walk out of Yad Vashem, from its sort of shadowy darkness, you step out into the brilliant sunshine of Jerusalem and see the hills around you. And you cannot help but be struck by the incredible achievement of the State of Israel, the sheer resilience of the Jewish people, that only three years after the liberation of Auschwitz, the State of Israel was formed. And by the way, Israel wasn't founded because of the Holocaust; it was formed in spite of the Holocaust. Despite what some people like to say. But this is one of the great achievements in human history. We're always going to support it, we are going to trade with it, we're going to collaborate with it on defence and security matters, and we're going to champion all that the State of Israel has achieved. (...) I think it's right that we stand with Israel, because they're the only democracy in the Middle East, an important ally of the United Kingdom. (…) I want this country to be the most welcoming country in the world for Israelis and for the Jewish community. (...) [I wish] that at every airport and point of entry to our great country there is the Star of David there as a symbol that we support Israel, we stand with Israel. We are friends and allies of Israel, and Israelis are welcome in our country.”
– Robert Jenrick, English/British Minister of State for Immigration (Conservative). 1982 AD
Conservative Friends of Israel. Facebook. 31 January 2020.
Sky News (2024): Robert Jenrick: 'I'm not an uncritical friend of Israel'. In: Youtube. 29 September 2024.
Mitchell, A. (2024): Robert Jenrick says Star of David should be displayed at every point of entry to the UK. In: Independent. 30 September 2024.
“One might say that the Jewish peoples were not gifted a country by international consensus so much that they carved one out that the world finally accepted. Acknowledging this controversy is important because it reminds us that Israel was born out of acts of resistance – resistance to anti-Semitism, fascism and racism. Whereas once Jews were at the mercy of societies in Europe, now they had won for themselves a homeland in which they were their own masters. Their struggle for self-determination was no different to Martin Luther King Jr’s against segregation or to Nkrumah’s against imperialism. And to question the legality of something won out of resistance to historical oppression - to genocide, no less - is to misunderstand the meaning of resistance itself. Resistance by the good against the bad is both necessary and just. To challenge the right of Israel to exist is, therefore, morally obtuse. It is to forget the flames from which this Phoenix arose. They were the flames of Auschwitz, into which millions of men, women and children walked and never returned.”
– Tim Stanley, English journalist and historian. 1982 AD
Stanley, T. (2015): Southampton University wants to debate Israel's right to exist. But that right is sacred. 13 March 2015 • 8:54am.
"Like it or not, Israel exists. It is home to over 9 million people. The idea that they would, could or should accept the destruction of what is now their country is absurd. (…) Historically, urban warfare operations result in a casualty ratio of nine civilians for every one enemy fighter killed. In Gaza [in 2023-4] it is two to one. In other words, despite the deliberate attempts by Hamas to increase the number of civilian casualties, Israel has been extraordinarily successful in reducing them. (…) If you need further evidence that claims of Israel's indiscriminate attacks are nonsense, just look at the way various commentators reacted to what has been dubbed Operation Grim Beeper: thousands of Hezbollah pagers were rigged with explosives and then detonated simultaneously, killing and injuring thousands of terrorists and a small number of bystanders. The pagers in question were not picked at random. Israel specifically selected a batch of senior Hezbollah operatives. And still, people (...) complain about Israel's 'indiscriminate attacks'. This was definitionally the most precise, targeted and surgical large-scale anti-terrorist operation in human history. (…) We would respond exactly the way that Israel has [to the attack of 7 October 2023]. The only difference is, we would do so with the support of every member of the international community, while Israel has to fight not only the terrorists who want to wipe them off the map, but western apologists for those terrorists as well."
– Konstantin Kisin, Russian-British author. 1982 AD
Triggernometry (2024): Why I’m Off the Fence About Israel’s War - Konstantin Kisin. In: Youtube. 7 October 2024.
“It is important that the international community and therefore also the Netherlands continues to support Israel. Because the position of Israel in the Middle East is and continues to be vulnerable. We owe it to the Jewish nation. Anti-Semitism is never fully gone, it keeps surfacing. Also in the Netherlands. And we may never look away. The Jewish community in the Netherlands has a right to our solidarity and protection. (...) I draw hope from the fact that Germany, eighty years after the terrible Holocaust, now pronounces its unconditional support for the Jewish people. It is possible: fraternity can win over hatred. Enemies can become friends.”
– Henri Bontenbal, Dutch member of parliament (CDA). 1982 AD
CDA (2023): Israël en de Palestijnen. 21 oktober 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I, like this government (…) unequivocally recognise the right of the Jewish people to live in the modern state of Israel. That the Jewish people have a legitimate claim to that land and to the city of Jerusalem is blindingly obvious. It is deeply sown into their history, their religion and their culture. (…) Israel and Australia share much in common, not least their commitment to democracy and the Western liberal tradition. Indeed, Israel stands unique among the Middle Eastern states for its commitment to open democratic process, free elections, human rights and the equal treatment of women. The numbers from Israel testify to its standing as an advanced democratic society. To take just a few examples, Israel enjoys high levels of employment, with a higher level of female employment than the OECD average. Indeed, in all sectors, there are more female than male graduates from higher education. The fertility rate in Israel sits at 3.0—well above the OECD average of 1.7—and Israeli parents receive full pay compensation for parental leave. I can personally attest to Israel’s commitment to human rights. On a recent trip to Israel, up in the Golan Heights, I visited a hospital as part of a trip that was funded by an Australian-Jewish group, and I can attest to the state of Israel showing mercy and humane treatment to those who would do them harm. They had Syrian fighters who had been brought across the border, and they were being treated right there in an Israeli hospital."
– Andrew Hastie, Australian army captain and Liberal MP. 1982 AD
Andrew Hastie MP – response to Wilson’s motion condemning those who call for the recognition of Palestine. May 22, 2017.
"This will get me in trouble - I have never said this before - but Palestine is Jewish land. I mean, come on, who doesn't know this? Jesus came to Jerusalem. He came to the Israelites who were there. It is Jewish land.”
– Mohammad Tawhidi, Iranian-Australian imam. 1982 AD
MEMRI TV (2017): Australian Shiite Imam Mohammad Tawhidi: We Did Not Come to Australia to Have Burqas Running around. Mar 20, 2017.
"Being a friend to an Israeli or Jew doesn’t mean you’re a sellout, it means you respect your cousin. Being a friend to an Israeli or Jew doesn’t mean you don’t want to see a Palestinian state, an overwhelming majority of them want that and most progressive Arabs like myself want that, but not with a terrorist organization as their ‘head of state’. (...) To my Arab connections on here, be vocal, show you love your cousins in Israel and you want to enjoy hummus with them. They are people like you and I, they want to see their kids grow up and live without the threat of constant violence."
– Waseem Ghannam, Syrian-American physician. 1982 AD
LinkedIn Post. May 2024.
"The cause for a Jewish homeland is a just one, and the right for Israel to exist should never be denied as Hamas would have it."
– Alicia Payne, Australian Labor MP. 1982 AD
Alicia Payne MP – in support of the Prime Minister’s motion. October 17, 2023.
"Israel here I come. As the world stops flying over Iran - the country I was born in - I'm flying to the country I’ve felt more and more close to. Now as a proud Iranian Zionist. Zionism is acceptance of Israel. (...) You have so many different people and you’re coming together to save your freedom, your democracy, your state. For that, I really believe that you’re the hope of the free world."
– Jaleh Tavakoli, Iranian-Danish activist and author. 1982 AD
Pacchiani, G. (2024): In Israel, activists from Muslim countries denounce common threat of radical Islam. In: Times of Israel. 26 April 2024, 9:07 am.
X/Twitter Post. 13 April 2024.
"Since [1948], we have seen this beacon of democracy flourish in the Middle East. It is a bastion for democracy and human rights, where freedom of speech, liberty and intellectual freedom have been abundant and revered. Israel is an important ally to Australia in many ways, and our bilateral cooperation, especially in innovation, security and defence, is of benefit to both of our nations. Australian defence officials began annual strategic talks with Israel in 2018, and in early 2019 Australia appointed a resident defence attache to the embassy in Tel Aviv. In 2018, Israel was Australia’s 41st largest merchandise trading partner and the 50th largest export market. It’s an important business and technological partner of Australia. (...) Israel’s economy has been growing continuously for the past 16 years, averaging 3.8 per cent GDP growth annually. It makes sense to have good trade and economic relationships with innovative and industrious nations like Israel. But, as we celebrate the modern-day achievements of our friend and ally and the many Australians who hold deep connections to Israel, it behoves us to understand their history and contemplate the adversity through which they have come, so that we can better support each other for a prosperous future. Recognising the significance of the San Remo conference and 14 May 1948, the date the State of Israel was formed—an important world event that changed the course of human history forever—is my mission today. I want to acknowledge and recognise the significant contributions of the many Jewish people in Australia who hold in high regard the role of Israel as a force for good in the world.”
– Amanda Stoker née Fell, Australian Senator (Liberal) for Queensland. 1982 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate on 13/05/2020.
"Israelis have the right to live in peace. The cause for a Jewish homeland is a just one, and the right for Israel to exist should never be denied as Hamas would have it.”
– Alicia Payne, Australian Labor MP. 1982 AD
Parliament of Australia. Federation Chamberon 17/10/2023.
"1948: I think a wave of emotion went through the world - no one thought that it would truly succeed. (...) I am always bewildered by the life force and the vitality - when you're in Israel, I think you witness it in every street. (...) [I admire] the life force and fighting spirit, again and again, because waking up in such a hostile environment with all the different wars that we witness, not just in 1948, but also the Six Days' War and 1973, again and again it was a fight for life or death for this country. And they succeed, almost like David against Goliath. And then, at the same time seeking peace, I truly admire that, keeping the eye on peace throughout the struggle."
– Mirjam Bikker, Dutch member of parliament (CU). 1982 AD
CIDItv (2023): Israel 75 jaar | CU-fractievoorzitter Mirjam Bikker feliciteert Israel. In: Youtube. 15 May 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel has this democratic perspective which is very hard to find in the Middle East. There are minorities in the Knesset, which is hard to find in the Middle East. The democracy of Israel is something that we should all take an example from, as well as the religiousness. I am a religious person and respect religion."
– Ceylan Özbudak, Turkish TV commentator and peace activist. 1982 AD
United with Israel (2013): Turkish TV Commentator Supports Israel. Apr 29, 2013.
“As we do every year, we should reflect on the fact that Israel, which is a small country, has become a tech powerhouse and is showing the world how innovation should be done. There are many lessons that we can learn about its industry policy. (...) It is extraordinary and unlikely that a tiny country like Israel has gone on to become such an economic powerhouse. Israel's high-tech sector is envied around the world, pulling in investment, encouraging more than 7,000 startups and fuelling a growing and dynamic economy. There is much we can learn from the Israeli tech sector."
– Daniel Mookhey, Indo-Australian Treasurer of New South Wales. 1982 AD
Parliament of New South Wales. ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY. May 2022.
Parliament of New South Wales. Legislative Council Hansard – 24 May 2023.
“The reasons that we should stand with Israel are clear. Israel is a beacon for freedom in a region full of dangerous adversaries. And Israel’s enemies are our enemies. (...) Beyond sharing enemies, Israel provides America with valuable intelligence. Our military relies on Israeli information to understand how terrorists are planning attacks on America. Israel has shared valuable defense technology that will save American lives. (...) Arabs in Israel have full citizenship rights, they participate in government, and Israel just appointed the first Muslim supreme court justice. (...) Alabamians get it. They support Israel. That’s why Alabama was the first state to recognize Israel in 1947. As our next Senator, I will proudly uphold this tradition and be a tireless advocate for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship."
– Katie Britt née Boyd, American Senator (GOP) from Alabama. 1982 AD
Britt, K. (2022): Now, more than ever, we must stand with Israel. In: Al.com. Feb. 28, 2022, 8:37 a.m.
“Israel is doing a huge favor to the Middle East and to the entire Free World by fighting against Hamas, because it's not only actually a war between Israel and Hamas: it's much bigger than that. It's a war that Israel is leading on behalf of all of us against the terrorism that has been wreaking havoc in the Middle East for so long. And if Israel wins, everyone else will win. That's why we should support Israel until the end."
– Dalia Ziada, Egyptian author. 1982 AD
JBS (2024): Defending Israel with David Harris. Dalia Ziada. In: Youtube. 17 January 2024.
“Colonizers have a home country and want to extract wealth from the colony. Jews don’t want to extract wealth from Israel. They made it their home. (...) Israel is the most democratic country in the region by far. It has created a rich and prosperous country. Excluding petrostates, Israel is the richest across the region and compared to other Arab states, the one with the highest human development index, the lowest corruption, the highest business freedom, rule of law, innovation…"
– Tomas Pueyo Brochard, French business analyst. 1982 AD
Pueyo, T. (2023): Who can claim Palestine?. In: Medium. October 16 2023.
"Israel and Turkey being secular prevents coercion, compulsion in the name of religion, and does not give ground for hypocrisy. (…) In both Israel and Turkey, democratic awareness and democratic values are more firmly rooted than any other country in the region. There is no room or tolerance for dictatorship or despotic regimes. Another commonality between the people of Turkey and Israel is that they do not have an overweening ambition to live a materialistic life in luxury. Both have known hardship and they have both been nurtured from their spirituality and conviction. (…) We both want peace, friendship, democracy, human rights, goodness, compassion and love to be dominant in the region and we want to live a beautiful life together."
– Sinem Tezyapar, Turkish political commentator and executive producer.
Tezyapar, S.: It is time for Israel and Turkey to remember their deep common history.
"With the Abraham Accords, a new partnership between Israel and the Gulf States took shape. (...) Israel is a thriving tech hub. It stands to reason that they might have products and technology that would benefit the Gulf economy. (...) What I discovered [in Israel] shocked me. These weren't horrible people. This wasn't a horrible country. It was a dynamic democracy. It was also incredibly diverse. Different races, different ethnic backgrounds, different religions. From what I could tell, everybody seemed to get along. (...) I met a lot of Israeli Arabs that told me they feel safe, they have their rights, and that's the country they call home. They were so proud, and I think some of them actually feel privileged. We have a colleague that is Lebanese Christian Israeli living in Israel and she tells me: I have rights I have never dreamed of, I have a good paying job, I feel safe in my country and I've never felt racism towards me because I'm Christian or Arab or from different roots. And I heard the story many times from different Bedouins, Muslims, Druze. That's the place they call home and [are] proud of, and some of them say: I'm a proud Israeli.”
– Fatema Al Harbi, Bahraini peace ambassador.
PragerU & SharakaNGO: Instagram Post. 18 March 2024.
Video on TikTok page of Cam Higby. January 2024.
"To be honest, I admire the Jews, they are the smartest people in the world. Jews, apart from great figures who have had a great influence on the world history, such as Jesus Christ, Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, contemporary figures, are also "pouring rain" on Earth. (...) Making money gradually became the original skill of the Jews. The invention of the banking system is a testimony to the creative thinking of making money from the smartest people in the world."
– Hoàng Nguyễn Vũ, Vietnamese journalist and traveler.
Hoàng Nguyễn Vũ (Asian Traveller). Lost in Holocaust Jews Memorial in Berlin. In: ERASMUSU. 2019.
"I was born in Israel, I am an Arab Muslim from Israel. I grew up in Naharia, which is a Jewish town. My mother was illiterate, she didn't know reading and writing because her parents didn't believe that girls should go to school. But Israel, after it was established, it forced all children to go to school, including the Bedouin girls. This is how I got the opportunity to be educated and not receive the fate of being on the fields and herding sheep, which was supposed to be my fate, which was supposed to be also my mother's fate. (...) Israel is not an apartheid state. Israel is a strong, beautiful, multi-ethnic democracy that provides its 20% of Arab citizens - most of them are Muslims, but we also have Christians and Druze - full rights, just as they give the Jewish people. I as an Arab citizen of Israel received full rights, I received an education, health care. My mom was a single mom, so we depended on welfare, this is how I grew up. Arabs, you have Supreme Court judges, you have Knesset/parliament members, you have ministers, they can achieve like the highest ranks everywhere. We had an Arab Supreme Court judge who sent the ex-President of the State who is Jewish to jail. Could this happen in an apartheid state? (...) You talk about segregation, this is also false. I lived as an Arab in a Jewish town. (...) Arabs can go to Jewish public schools, they can go to Arab schools, they can go to mixed schools. Arabs actually can live almost everywhere in Israel, it would be open to them. (...) What's happening in Israel is the war between liberalism and darkness. Liberalism versus darkness. And Israel is at the forefront of this war, but we need to make it clear and all the countries and nations who value liberalism, they should stand behind Israel. And they should stop whatever is happening in their own countries, because they're next. (...) It's not a war of Jews against Arabs or Jews against Islam, it's a war of one liberal nation, democratic nation against a terrorist organization. And I don't know why people are confused."
– Sophia Salm Khalifa, Arab-Israeli / American tech worker.
PragerU (2023): Arab Muslim Speaks About Her Life in Israel. In: Youtube. 21 November 2023.
"We went to the Golan and found Israeli soldiers protecting the borders and helping Syrian refugees and children. Jews, Arabs and people of different sects coexist and work together in harmony within Israel. We must thank these soldiers for their fight against terrorism, Hezbollah, the Syrian dictator and the Iranian regime, which supports many terrorists and militias in Gaza and across the world."
– Amjad Taha, Emirati journalist and researcher.
The New Arab (2020): 'Defenders of humanity': 'Bahraini, Emirati pro-normalisation influencers' praise Israel's 'heroic' army. 21 December, 2020.
"You will not see these heroic soldiers on the media or on television or cinema, but you will only see them in reality as they preserve the lives of many children and women. Yes, many times we met Israeli soldiers who are doing a wonderful job in saving lives in many humanitarian aspects. Humanity should thank the soldiers because they protect humanity."
– Majid Al-Sarrah, Emirati public policy expert.
The New Arab (2020): 'Defenders of humanity': 'Bahraini, Emirati pro-normalisation influencers' praise Israel's 'heroic' army. 21 December, 2020.
“The reason that Israel was able to gain ground overseas, and that there is more recognition
of Israel, its path, and its culture than of Arab culture, is that Israel speaks of the language of
the international community. (…) As a system or a culture, Israel is part of the Western world.”
– Hala Mustafa, Egyptian journalist and author.
MEMRI (2009): Egyptian Journalist Hala Mustafa Talks about Normalization with Israel Following Meeting with Israeli Ambassador. Sep 30, 2009.
“One country that seems to have it all figured out is Israel. With just eight million people, Israel boasts one of the highest concentrations of start-up companies in the world, earning it the moniker ‘Silicon Wadi’.”
– Chris Sorensen, Canadian author for Maclean’s.
“We support Israel unconditionally, period. It's our ally, it's a democracy. (...) Civilizations can be lost, countries can collapse. The opposite is also possible, that is for example what I find so fantastic about Israel. Making the desert blossom again after 2,000 years. (...) The reason why peace remains missing is that the Muslim countries surrounding Israel do not recognize Israel’s existence. THAT’s the reason why there is no peace and there isn’t that much Israel can do about it. (...) There are few countries which comply with human rights as exemplarily as Israel does, that are beautiful democracies like Israel is.”
– Thierry Baudet, Dutch member of parliament (FvD). 1983 AD
Standpunt Forum voor Democratie inzake Israël-beleid. 18-03-2019. [Translated by C. Nooij].
THIERRY BAUDET INTERVIEW - DE JENSEN SHOW #75. 27 December 2019. [Translated by C. Nooij].
CIDI Midden–Oosten Verkiezingsdebat 6 maart 2017. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I don't know anything about the Middle East stuff, but I stand with Israel. I'm also from New York, you know, this is a very Jewish city. There are more Jews here than anywhere in the world, Jews built this city. Growing up, I grew up in Midwood, where there's a huge Hasidic, orthodox community. (...) We grew up having a lot of respect for the Jewish people here. (…) Jews prospered in New York doing things… they were not allowed to join a lot of mainstream businesses, so there were Jewish law firms, there were Jewish banks like Goldman-Sachs. There are WASP banks and WASP law firms, but that’s as recent as the 1970s. (…) You see it a lot in the Asian-American communities as well: respect for elders, valuing education, staying away from the wrong characters, taking life seriously, taking your obligations to your family and community seriously. That kind of thing was really critical."
– Martin Shkreli, Albanian-American investor and businessman. 1983 AD
Shkreli Planet: Martin Shkreli: «I Support Israel». In: Youtube. 13 October 2024.
"After leaving my beloved country Kuwait, I stand firm that I do not regret my support for Israel and my exposure of the reality of political Islam. Given the chance, I would undertake the same work and activities all over again. I will never forget Israel's noble stance in standing with Kuwait and its refusal to respond to Saddam Hussein's and Yasser Arafat's atrocities during the invasion of Kuwait after killing over 12 Israelis. Additionally, I will always remember the support for us following the liberation through the Jewish lobby in [US] Congress. I take pride in Israel's efforts to cleanse the Middle East region from terrorism. I fervently hope that Arabic speaking peoples will distance themselves from the myths and irrationality that fuel their hatred towards Israel, a democratic state that champions scientific discovery, educational renaissance and freedom of belief. Thank you, Israel, for fighting terrorism on behalf of us all."
– Jasem Aljuraid, Kuwaiti-Canadian investigative journalist. 1983 AD
Post on Twitter/X. 26 September 2024.
“Israel truly is the miracle in the desert. Its formal re-establishment all those years ago facilitated the return of the Jewish people to their homeland, who together have created a state that they can be incredibly proud of. From the harsh terrain and climate of the British mandate, Israel has risen as an example to other nations of what is possible through determination, hard work and perseverance. It has developed an economy that is both prosperous and innovative, and a society where diversity and progress are embraced. (...) There are many things that we have in common. Our two peoples both share a deep commitment to participatory democracy, the rule of law and respect for minorities, to name just a few. (...) Israel [is] leading the world in the race to combat COVID-19. Israel has shown the global community how to beat this deadly virus through vaccination, achieving the highest vaccination rates against COVID-19 in the world. There are a number of factors that have contributed to this, including a strong and universal healthcare system as well as the desire to prioritise a quick rollout of the vaccine. But it is the effective rollout of the vaccine that the global community should look to as a template on how to protect their population during a pandemic. I’d also like to commend the State of Israel for its commitment to rolling out the vaccine to Palestinians in recognition of the fact that, while Israel is under no obligation to do so, given the failure of the Palestinian authorities to provide for their people, Israel nonetheless has a moral obligation to take up the task and lend a hand where they can. While, sadly, some have sought to spread misinformation on this matter, already tens of thousands of Palestinians have been vaccinated by Israel with hundreds of thousands more to come.”
– Raff Ciccone, Italian-Australian Senator (Labor) for Victoria. 1983 AD
Ciccone, R. (2021): Speech. 11 May 2021.
“When you learn the truth about Judaism, you start to love this history and to love this heritage. I believe that the Hebrew scripture, I would call it the Tenach, the Torah and the prophets and the writings, were the reason that I really fell in love with Israel as a nation and a history. (...) It's a beautiful name by the way. I always say that to my friends, that Jacob was a name chosen by Isaac and Rebecca, but the name Israel was chosen by our Creator, by God. And God rarely intervenes to change names. (...) The Jewish people have been through a lot, they survived Pharaoh, Achasverosh, Antiochus Epiphanes and Hitler, and they will survive also this one. (...) Let's bring Muslims and Jews closer, Arabs and Israelis closer, let's build a new Middle East. A Middle East where it becomes even better than Europe for everyone to flourish.”
– Loay Alshareef, Emirati social media influencer. 1983 AD
Living Lchaim (2023): Can Muslims and Jews Live in Peace? (ft. Loay Al Shareef). In: Youtube. 9 December 2023.
“The initial shock of arriving in Israel was seeing just how cosmopolitan, secular and tolerant a country it was. (…) I don’t like to categorize myself – I’m left-wing on most things and right-wing on others – but I firmly believe the Jews have a right to a homeland. And I believe that that can only exist if there is a Jewish majority.”
– Nicky Larkin, Irish filmmaker. 1983 AD
Danan, D. (2013): The Irish Zionist. In: Jerusalem Post. February 7, 2013 11:43.
“Depressingly, what is happening in Israel is well over a decade ahead of where we are in terms of the use of cameras and apps on phones to improve response times.They also make sure when patients arrive they have the right people on hand so they can be treated in the most effective ways possible.”
– Wes Streeting, English/British Labour MP. 1983 AD
Harlingen, L. (2022): Shadow health secretary Streeting praises Israel medical advances on trip. In: Jewish News. May 11 2022.
“Israel is where the Jewish people found family and, indeed, safety, as Dvora Waysman cursively articulates in The Jerusalem Post. The principle of community is protected in the Law of Return of 1950, which implements the rights of Jews to relocate to Israel and acquire Israeli citizenship. The Jewish Agency estimates that 3,340,000 have immigrated to Israel since its independence, showing the importance of the Jewish people having a home after 2,000 years of denial. There is an immense connection between the Jewish people and the State of Israel that stretches worldwide. (...) Israel is indeed the Jewish heart. It is inextricably linked to the hearts of Jews worldwide and was born out of the suffering of the Holocaust. It has made the Jewish people safer throughout the world. The Israeli Knesset Basic Law reaffirms that Israel is the historical homeland of the Jewish people, in which the State of Israel was established, and which actualises the natural, religious and historical right to self-determination of the Jewish people. Housed in Israel is the Old City of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel since King David made it so 3,000 years ago. (...) Israel is not a one-faith theocracy. One only needs to look at the composition of the Knesset, where the United Arab List is the third largest party and formed part of the government, until the government is to be dissolved next week. In addition, Israeli law ensures freedom of access to places of sacred and religious significance to all members of society—for example, the Temple Mount. (...) We also know of Israel as the startup nation, with unprecedented technologies through which Israel is quickly making a name for itself globally.”
– Scott Farlow, Australian councillor in New South Wales (Liberal). 1983 AD
Parliament of New South Wales. ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY. May 2022.
”The history of the Jewish people is unique. You’ll find nothing comparable anywhere in the world. It’s full of peculiarities, that can’t be explained. Full of miracles. The survival and existence oft he State of Israel is a miracle. The blossoming of a multiethnic and multireligious society in a democracy in the middle of a war zone is a miracle. The revival of the Hebrew language is a miracle.”
– Carmen Matussek, German historian. 1983 AD
Matussek, C. (2016): Israel, mein Freund. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I love Israeli people for the fact that they are very united. Israel wouldn't be a possibility if the Jewish people weren't united. We're grateful to Israelis. We wouldn't be here without them.”
– Bhojraj Parmar, Indian Bahai technician. 1983 AD
Space Daily (2007): Israel haven for new Bahai world order. Nov 18 2007.
“It is paramount that this special culture and the fundamental right of the State of Israel to exist is protected. It is a place of great humanity. It is one-third the size of Tasmania and you can fly over it in minutes, yet it is the strongest country and protects other countries around the world, such as ours. The Knesset is a miracle of democracy, with Arab members and a great representation across Israel. (...) Israel is a diverse and inclusive society comprising Arabs, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Baha'i and other groups. Israel's parliament, the Knesset, is representative of the country's diversity. Arabs started serving in the first Knesset in 1949. About 100 Arab and Druze legislators, representing parties from the political left to the right, have served again. Israel is a beacon of hope and a shining example of the only liberal democracy in the Middle East.”
– Natalie Ward, Australian councillor in New South Wales (Liberal). 1983 AD
Parliament of New South Wales. Legislative Council Hansard – 24 May 2023.
“This country is incredibly versatile. Just the immigrants are from 50 countries. And I’ve been enthousiastic for Judaism for a long time. (…) In Judaism, only one place counts: Jerusalem. And that’s here. For 2000 years, the Jews who were banished into the Diaspora, fostered their yearning for Israel, security and their own state.”
– Katharina Höftmann, German journalist and author. 1984 AD
Süddeutsche Zeitung (2011): „Es ist obszön: Jeder denkt, er weiß, was hier los ist.“. 06.11.2011. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel is our closest ally in the Middle East, with which we share a rich history and a profound friendship."
– Jakub Kulhánek, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs. 1984 AD
Rosenzweig, A. (2021): Prague salue la formation d'un nouveau gouvernement en Israël. In: Radio Prague International. 14/06/2021. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“[Visiting Israel] I was confronted by synagogues, mosques and churches, by Jews and Arabs living together, by minorities playing huge parts in all areas of Israeli life, from the military to the judiciary. It was shocking and eye-opening. This wasn't the evil Zionist Israel that I had been told about.”
– Kasim Hafeez, Pakistani-British activist. 1984 AD
Hafeez, K. (2012): "Muslim, Zionist and proud". In: Ynetnews. 2012-04-25.
“The first fact to put on the table is that since its inception Israel has been a great friend of Australia. Australia has stood with the State of Israel since its inception after the Second World War.”
– Andrew Bragg, Anglo-Australian Senator (Liberal) for New South Wales. 1984 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate on 25/10/2022.
"Never again is now – we stand strongly on the side of Israel. Israel’s right to exist is German and Bavarian raison d’état."
– Benjamin Miskowitsch, Bavarian/German member of the Bavarian Landstag (CDU/CSU). 1975 AD
Miskowitsch, B. (2023): Facebook Post. 27. Oktober 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel's fighting for its very survival and it's our moral duty to stand firmly by its side. The time for European passivity is over."
– Rihards Kols, Latvian MEP (National Alliance). 1984 AD
Verbatim report of proceedings XML. Tuesday, 8 October 2024 - Strasbourg.
"Israel must defend its territory, its way of life. Global support for Israel — its right to exist, its right to self-defence — is crucial, and we must call out antisemitism in all its forms. We stand with people of Jewish faith, both in Australia and abroad. (…) Like many Australians, I stand with Israel. We, as a nation, have to stand with Israel and the Australian Jewish community at this time of need because, after the horrors of the Holocaust, the world said to the Jewish people, ‘Never again.’ As I stand here today, I assure those people that the coalition stands in complete unity with Israel. We stand in unity with the Jewish people and with Israel."
– Aaron Violi, Italian-Australian Liberal MP. 1984 AD
Aaron Violi MP – in support of the Prime Minister’s motion. October 17, 2023.
“I am sure that the concept of a Jewish state has always made sense to me. Perhaps because I myself come from an ancient ethnic and religious minority, the Zoroastrians, who continue to live in a diaspora outside of what was once our homeland, Iran. So I came to Israel with a predisposed understanding of the need for a state, a safe haven for a people that has been a global minority for millennia and continuously persecuted. (…) The best part of being a journalist in Israel is freedom of speech. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and the only country in the region that respects freedom of the press.”
– Zenobia Ravji, Zoroastrian-American journalist.
“I would like to thank the whole nation of Israel for supporting Kurdish rights and independence. (…) We would like to have more contact with the Israeli political parties and organizations. (…) The Kurds must have political and economic relations with influential countries, especially Israel.”
– Arif Bawecani, Kurdish politician.
Ben Solomon, Ariel (2014): Kurd party leader to ‘Post’: US keeping us from independence. In: Jerusalem Post. July 1 2014, 03:34.
“Our country doesn’t have a problem with Jews. Our Prophet Muhammad married a Jewish woman. (…) Israel is a big economy compared to their size and it’s a growing economy, and of course there are a lot of interests we share with Israel and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and countries like Egypt and Jordan.”
– Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. 1985 AD
Goldberg, J. (2018): Saudi Crown Prince: Iran's Supreme Leader 'Makes Hitler Look Good'. In: The Atlantic. April 2 2018.
"I’m amazed at the scope of history here. In the US, there is 200 years of history and here we are talking about thousands of years of stories and tradition that truly fascinate and amaze me. (...) This whole country is one of a kind… the people… it’s all just very special. I can’t wait to come back. I wanna come back soon. (…) I’m in love with Israel, and I know everyone else will if they just take the opportunity."
– Kellan Lutz, Dutch-American actor. 1985 AD
Press, V.S. (2012): Twilight’s Kellan Lutz ‘amazed’ by Israel. September 11 2012.
HaAretz (2011): Twilight Star Kellan Lutz Joins Celebrity Trip to Israel. September 15 2011.
“Politically, Israel is an absolute necessity, because the Shoah – the industrial murder of European Jews by the Germans – and also the nowadays widespread anti-Semitism painfully show that Israel should, as a Jewish and democratic State, stand open to Jews all over the world as a protective environment.”
– Sven-Christian Kindler, Hannoverian/German member of the Bundestag. 1985 AD
Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft: Warum Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"The way I think about our commitment to Israel is it’s grounded in the most solid foundation, which is national self-interest. (…) The bedrock of stability in the Middle East starts with Israel. (…) You know what I love about them? I love their border policies, I love their tough-on-crime policies, I love that they have a national identity and an Iron Dome to protect their homeland, so yes I want to learn from the friends that we’re supporting. (…) I will treat it as a true friendship, not just a transactional religion."
– Vivek Ramaswamy, Indian-American (Tamil) entrepreneur and politician (GOP). 1985 AD
Jewish Insider, June 19, 2023). First Republican Debate, Jewish Insider, August 24, 2023. The Hill, August 29, 2023.
"I know: Germany has a very special responsibility for the Jewish State Israel. Germany's history commits us to this responsibility. We must remember, because we may not forget, (...) but we should not look solely at history. Instead, we must become aware as a generation today that when we remember, doing so is very important (...), but we may not close our eyes for the present of suffering of the people in the Middle East and of the people in Israel, who are suffering under bombing terror of Hamas. (...) The German population stands on the side of the people in Israel. (...) We experience especially in the last years that we witness anti-Semitic wolves in the sheep's clothing of so-called criticism of Israel and in the past days they took of this sheep's clothing and we have seen the hideous anti-Semitic grimace of those who attack other people because of a kippah or an Israeli flag. (...) We have done a lot in Germany, in the Federal Republic, in these 75 years, against anti-Semitism, especially in recent years. We have done a whole lot. But when people are assaulted because of their religion, because of their kippah, because of an Israeli flag, we say: We did a lot, but not enough."
– Paul Ziemak, Polish-German member of the Bundestag (CDU). 1985 AD
Kundgebung des “Solidaritätsbündnis für Israel” in Berlin am 20. Mai 2021. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Hitler tried to destroy the Jewish nation in WWII, murdering 6 million people – but four years after the Holocaust, Israel was miraculously reborn, standing its ground while being surrounded by enemies. I continue to look to Israel as a model for Assyria, and I plead with my people to reach out to Israel.“
– Nerary Yousif, Assyrian-American activist. 1985 – 2018 AD
“Israel is a country that stands in stark contrast to the rest of the region. Already, in fact, Turkey’s regime has ruled out a return to the [Eurovision song] contest until the show bans LGBT contestants. I have seen for myself when I visited Israel with CFI in February 2018, a multi-religious, multi-ethnic society that cherishes freedom of speech and where LGBT pride marches are attended by hundreds of thousands.“
– Paul Masterton, Scottish/British Conservative MP. 1985 AD
CFI Informed Magazine. 2018/2019. Page 27.
"Never again is now, and we stand adamantly on the side of Israel, on the side of Jews, here also in Rhineland-Palatinate. Jewish life was and is at home everywhere in Rhineland-Palatinate. This is shown also by our ShUM cities. It is therefore our duty to ensure that Jews continue to feel secure and at home here with us."
– Pia Schellhammer, Palatine/German politician (Grüne). 1985 AD
Schellhammer, P. (2023): Facebook Post. 16. November 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Zionism has proved an extraordinary triumph of liberal nationalism. (…) One should be proud of the achievements of Israeli liberalism but remember that even if the Jewish state were a tenth as tolerant, it would still be as legitimate as every other nation. (…) If we’re lucky, being pro-Israel will once again come to mean treating an ally like an ally; not demanding a beleaguered democracy in the world’s least free and least stable region to behave like a Scandinavian country when defending itself; and giving Israelis, like free people everywhere, the space to determine their own national destiny and even make their own mistakes.”
– Sohrab Ahmari, Iranian-American journalist. 1985 AD
Ahmari, S. (2015): What Does It Mean to Be ‘Pro-Israel’?. In: Commentary. May 2015.
"Israel is our shield and I know that it is our frontier. That is to say that if this democratic country which is on the front line against Islamist fundamentalism, which fights against the barbarism, which has the same enemies as we do, which has the same values as we do, if this country is weakened, if this country falls, we fall too. And that’s why I am an ardent defender of Israel, beyond the sympathy that I have for this friendly people, it is because it is in the interests of France. It is ought to be able to defend itself, protect itself, secure its borders, secure its people and that is very complicated in the current situation because they do not have a state or even states and regular armies in front of them, one is not fighting in classic and traditional conflicts, they are facing people who have vowed to defeat them and to exterminate their people."
– Julien Odoul, French politician (Front national). 1985 AD
Julien Odoul (2024). In: Instagram. 8 November. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel's current Jewish population began developing foundations less than a century ago, building farms and cities and factories when there was no state whatsoever. (...) Israel managed, and the Jewish people managed, to build a strongly integrated state, covering all aspects of life. Jewish people have established a full state with institutions, complete separation of powers, a parliamentary political system, a parliament that plays a unique regulatory and legislative role. (…) Every time the Israeli elections go smoothly, with no armed coups, no allegations of fraud, no electoral results of 99.9% or 100%. (…) Israel’s total annual expenditure on scientific research is more than that of all 22 Arab League countries combined. (…) Israel has a high level of human rights that does not exist in any Arab country. For example, Israel has no death penalty, corporal punishment, etc..."
– Maikel Nabil Sanad, Coptic-Egyptian activist. 1985 AD
"Israel offers equal rights to all its citizens, regardless of religion or ethnic origin. This is not just the letter of the law but also the practice - and you will find Israeli Arabs across Israeli society, in hospitals, courts and high-tech companies - virtually everywhere. Even within the Israeli government! (...) When you visit the market in Nazareth, you will hear both Hebrew and Arabic and when in Jaffa you will see mosques, churches and synagogues. Israel boasts a freedom of religion and culture that is completely unique to the region. (...) I look around at our neighbours and I am thankful to have been born in the State of Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East."
– Yosef Haddad, Arab-Israeli journalist and activist. 1985 AD
Haddad, Y. (2022): As an Israeli Arab, let me tell you this. Amnesty's report is a lie. In: The JC. February 2 2022.
(BEWARE: As 'Richard Hoste' he wrote overtly racist articles, but has since disavowed them)
"I like the Jews who built a nation and are fighting for it right now."
– Richard Hanania, Palestinian-American researcher and columnist. 1985 AD
Hanania, R. (2023): Twitter post. 5:59 p.m. 27 okt. 2023.
"Tel Aviv was magnificent. The world view of Israel is just not reality. It’s in a beautiful place, the people are in good spirits. (...) You are strong, you are brave, you are confident, and I f*cking love you, Israel."
– Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga), Italian-American singer. 1986 AD
Berman, L. (2014): Lady Gaga. World is wrong about Israel. In: The Times of Israel. 28 September 2014.
"Israel is our first front line against terrorism. France will always stand by Israel and its security. (…) It is a country that I love, it is a friendly country, an ally of France, it is a country that I want France to discover or rediscover."
– Aurore Bergé, French Minister for Equality (Renaissance). 1986 AD
Orient XXI: Le printemps israélien d’Aurore Bergé, députée en chef.
"Israel is our ally. Israel has the right to defend itself. It ought to be repeated and those who contest it are wrong. Israel is a sovereign state that has the right to its security."
– Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister of the Armed Forces (Renaissance). 1986 AD
Times of Israel (2024): « Israël est notre allié » mais ses frappes « ne respectent pas toujours la proportionnalité », dit le ministre français des Armées. 23 octobre 2024.
"Israel is probably the only Western-style democracy in the Middle East. Against the background of its history, Germany has a special responsibility fort he existence and security of Israel. Even if you disagree with my position, I do ask that you at least respect it."
– Florian Bernschneider, Eastphalian/German member of Bundestag (FDP). 1986 AD
Bernschneider, F. (2013). Antwort auf Frage. In: Abgeordnetenwatch. 15.02.2013. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"I find it very impressive that, in such a difficult environment and such a difficult region, Israel has managed to become such a welfaring and flourishing society and that they have also managed to uphold the democratic principles, especially in that context, with all the threats to their security, I find that a very remarkable achievement that I often look at with much admiration."
– Ruben Brekelmans, Dutch member of parliament (VVD). 1986 AD
CIDItv (2023): Israel 75 jaar | VVD-Kamerlid Ruben Brekelmans feliciteert Israel. In: Youtube. 14 May 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Israel and Australia share a special friendship. While we are separated by thousands of kilometres, we maintain a deep connection, primarily through the strength of the Australian Jewish community. That’s why the pain and suffering felt by Jews the world over was so apparent to us here."
– Sam Rae, Australian Labor MP. 1986 AD
Parliament of Australia. Federation Chamberon 17/10/2023.
"We stand united in solidarity with the Israeli people. (...) Europe is alert to the growing tide of antisemitism, further fuelled by these events. We cannot rest until all Europe’s Jewish citizens can live, work and worship freely and without fear. Israel has the right to defend itself from acts of indiscriminate terrorism. As democracies, we abide by international law and the rules-based order."
– Eva Maydell née Paunova, Bulgarian MEP (GERB). 1986 AD
European Parliament: Verbatim report of proceedings. Wednesday, 18 October 2023 - Strasbourg.
"As a Christian I feel connected to the Biblical and present-day Israel. I admire the spiritual wealth and uniqueness of the Jewish religious tradition and the Jewish culture. The Jewish people discovered a new spirituality in the desert, a new way of interaction with God, with the mystery of life itself. A spirituality of ethics, of living with one another, of seeking the promised land of peace and justice, from the Torah to the kibbutz."
– Joas van der Schoot, Dutch church minister. 1986 n. Chr.
Schoot, J. van der (2023): Gezocht: een beloofd land voor Joden én Palestijnen. In: Trouw. 18 October 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I was amazed by the resilience, human spirit and optimism that people here have facing daily turmoil. You have to come see Israel for yourself to understand this – that people can still have an amazing existence, with love and patriotism, despite all the odds. I particularly like about Israelis that they don’t care what you think, what the world thinks. As an actress (…) I do what I have to do, no matter what the critics say. Israel does the same."
– AnnaLynne McCord, Scottish-American actress. 1987 AD
Silverman, A. (2012): Hollywood Loves the Holy Land. American Voices in Israel Brings Stars for Visit. May 14, 2012, 12:32 PM EDT.
“I am a strong supporter of the State of Israel. I admire greatly what they have built in just a few short years. Today, Israel stands not just as a beacon of liberal democracy in a sea of despotism in its own region but as a shining example to the entire world of how to build a prosperous, tolerant, harmonious and creative country in the toughest of circumstances. I am proud of the generally bipartisan support that Israel has enjoyed from successive Australian governments. But I think we can do more to demonstrate our solidarity. Like many nations, Australia has chosen to locate our embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv. But Tel Aviv is not Israel’s capital city—Jerusalem is. Every nation deserves the right to choose its own capital city. Since 1950, Israel has asserted it is Jerusalem. Since 1967, it has administered the entire city. The Israeli government have demonstrated time and time again that they are the best custodians for the religious and historical sites that are of significance to people of many faiths."
– James Paterson, Australian Senator (Liberal) for Victoria. 1987 AD
Parliament of Australia. Senate. Wednesday, 16 March 2016.
"Civilization of course translates into how individual rights are protected. If we put the two next to each other, i.e. the individual rights that are protected in Palestine versus those in Israel, then they’re not even close. Let’s say, in Israel a tremendous number of individual rights are respected and in Palestine very few. (…) If you live in Israel as an Arab, you are better off than all other Arabs in the entire Arab World, whereas the other way around, if you had to live as a Jew in Palestine, you would probably be worse off than in other Arab territories. (…) In reality, the Arabs have missed the greatest opportunity of their life by treating Israel the way they do. If the Arabs had said in 1948 ‘what a blessing this new country is, perhaps we can cooperate wit hit economically’, who knows how advanced the Arab World would have been today, technologically, economically, militarily. If they had perhaps one day cooperated with Israel, the world would have looked totally different."
– Yernaz Ramautarsing, Surinamese-Dutch politicologist. 1987 AD
Vrijheidsdomein (2021): De waarheid over het Israel-Palestina conflict - #4 Podcast met Yernaz en Anis. In: Youtube. 16 May 2021. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“When I hear the word Israel, I also think of a country and a people that throughout history has been attacked and nearly annihilated several times (...) and is still under attack today - not just from its physical neighboring countries, but rather also from anti-Semitism and the biased Western media. I am reminded of the importance of standing up for those who are my brothers and sisters in faith in the God of Abraham, and countering anti-Semitism in whatever shape it manifests itself.”
– Joakim Lundqvist, Swedish pastor. 1987 AD
Lundqvist, J.: Vad tänker du på när du hör ordet Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“It boils down to good and evil. So let's break down good and evil. Terrorists killing innocent people: evil. Israel going out of their way to drop hundreds of thousands of flyers warning people to get out: good. Hamas taking hostages, children: evil. Israel, who's been picked on forever and killed for their national faith forever, fighting back and defending their people against the same thing happening again: good. I think Israel is an INCREDIBLE ally. They’re similar to us in many ways… the IDF is freakin awesome… they LOVE Americans over there and they don’t worship a God that wants them to kill anybody…”
– James McCoy Taylor, American country singer from Texas. 1987 AD
ABC News Prime & Twitter. 13 November 2023.
"Israel stands as a beacon of democracy and freedom in the Middle East, and Australia stands as a true friend and supporter of the state of Israel in its moment of need. We must remember Australia’s pivotal role in the creation of the state of Israel. It was in 1947 and Australia was the first nation to vote in the UN for the partition resolution that led to the creation of Israel as a nation. And of course we must remember the important impact of Australia’s Jewish population, the impact they’ve had in our country and our society, starting with the arrival of Jewish people to Australia as part of the First Fleet. I want to express my steadfast support of Israel."
– Henry Pike, Australian Liberal MP. 1987 AD
Henry Pike MP – expressing support for Israel and condemning Hamas’ attack. October 17, 2023.
"Israel is situated in a part of the world that is not friendly toward it. There are many countries that have been extremely hostile from the beginning, since the establishment of Israel, and have even invaded the country when it was just established. Israel did manage to survive this, so to speak. That the Israelites managed to establish, speaking 75 years after the fact, a stable state with an eye for diversity and, for example, also for food production. It is after all a complicated country to produce food in climate-wise. But also in regards to technology and high-quality employment. That's surely a very difficult starting point and to achieve that, that's something to be very proud of. I mainly wish for Israel that it may remain in this safety in the coming years, and hopefully centuries."
– Derk Boswijk, Dutch member of parliament (CDA). 1989 AD
CIDItv (2023): Israel 75 jaar | CDA-Tweede Kamerlid Derk Boswijk feliciteert Israel. In: Youtube. 22 May 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I am proud to serve in the Israeli army. Many people are astonished that I serve in the Israeli army. But I believe I live in a country that has given me a lot. (…) I find it important that Arabs also serve in the Israeli army. Israel is the country where we live together as Jews and Arabs. Therefore we must defend it together, too.”
– Siad Churani, Arab-Israeli soldier in the Israeli Defence Forces. 1989 AD
“For the people of New South Wales, Israel's Independence Day is a way for us to express support for Israel's right to exist as a State and to recognise the concrete link between the Jewish community here and the land of Israel 14,000 kilometres away. The connection that the Jewish people have to Israel, being their physical and cultural birthplace, is incapable of being severed. (...) For centuries the Jewish people were ostracised, despised and subject to the most abhorrent forms of ethnic cleansing known on the historical record. They had no physical homeland, nor any security of life or liberty. As the motion acknowledges, Israel has survived against the odds and is now a nation of free people. I emphasise that freedom. No State in the Middle East has done more for LGBTI rights, for racial and women's equality and for other human rights than Israel.”
– Chris Rath, councillor from New South Wales (Liberal). 1989 AD
Parliament of New South Wales. ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY. May 2022.
Parliament of New South Wales.Legislative Council Hansard – 24 May 2023.
“I have seen great resilience in the Jewish community out here, not just in kibbutz Be'eri, not just in Kerem Shalom, not just in southern Israel, but in every street corner I visited in Tel Aviv, every street and alley of Jerusalem, there is an immense level of courage, determination - above all courage and conviction that the Israelis really have. And I am moved by that. (...) The world has to choose today: will they be on the right side of democracy, of a country that is saving their people, you know they've suffered the Holocaust, but they have stood up and risen from the ashes - and will rise again. (...) I love Israel completely - Am Yisrael Chai and Jai Hind!”
– Aditya Raj Kaul, Kashmiri/Indian journalist. 1989 AD
Moses in Israel (2024): India WILL SUPPORT Israel for THIS REASON.Why India is supporting Israel | IndianHindusSupportIsrael. In: Youtube. 27 June 2024.
"The Iranian people share a common enemy with the Israeli people. The Iranian people stand with the Israeli people, because the force that is terrorizing the people of Israel is the same force that is terrorizing the people of Iran."
– Kasra Aarabi, Iranian-British senior analyst. 1989 AD
Sean Semo on LinkedIn. October 2024.
“I know that antisemitism is a metastasized tumor that survives in many forms today. I know that the bias of society against Israel is a direct result of deep-rooted antisemitism which is historically thousands of years old. (...) Insinuating that the only predominantly Jewish state in the world is committing genocide with zero factual evidence to support that asertion is the very definition of antisemitism. (...) If you are one of the people who happen to believe Israel’s response up to this point has been anything less than the most compassionate campaign of war in history waged to save as many civilian lives as possible, then you are anti-Israeli at best and quite possibly much worse. (...) I’m not Jewish or Israeli. I have no Jewish ancestors that I know of. I’m an agnostic liberal. I have never once doubted which side of this war is righteous, which side must succeed. (...) Every single human being with their humanity still in their soul stands with Israel UNCONDITIONALLY. It’s not morally complicated or controversial. Israel must succeed.”
– Anthony Remis, American juris doctor candidate at UNT Dallas College of Law.
Remis, A. (2023-2024): LinkedIn Posts.
"Arabs in Israel are the most free Arabs in the entire Arab world. If you suddenly look at it all from an individualistic perspective, you think: okay, even though those Jews are coming there from Europe or other areas of the world, in the end they did bring forth something good for mankind there, in the sense that: would you be able, as a Jew in Saudi-Arabia, to freely practice your religion? You wouldn’t. Whereas a Palestinian living in Israel has basically all rights that a normal Jewish Israeli also has. (…) In the field of innovations Israel is truly almost number 1 in the world. There is no country in the world where there are so many startups, where so much venture capital is being invested into all sorts of new technology. Also, how they transformed agricultural systems so that a lot more food could be produced than has ever been produced. (…) What many people don’t know is that the Israeli army – pretty unique in the history of mankind – does everything in its power to make sure there are as few civilian casualties as possible."
– Anis Benhayyoun, Moroccan-Dutch philosopher and economist.
Vrijheidsdomein (2021): De waarheid over het Israel-Palestina conflict - #4 Podcast met Yernaz en Anis. In: Youtube. 16 May 2021. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Vrijheidsdomein (2021): Israël vs Palestina: Botsing van beschavingen - #5 Podcast met Yernaz en Anis. In: Youtube. 21 May 2021. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel is the only country in the entire region where I, an atheist, could live without being persecuted. That is all one has to say really. We all know this in our hearts in the West. We all know this is true. (…) The Israeli army is the only army in the Middle East that is fighting to defend freedom of sexuality, speech and religion. (…) Israel's fight is our fight - the fight to preserve democracy, freedom of religion, free speech and human rights against our totalitarian enemies.”
– Mark Humphrys, Irish computer scientist and activist.
"While Jews everywhere had contributed only glory and renown to their respective European nations they had, everywhere, been rejected, othered, libelled, segregated, ostracised, exploited, extorted, expelled, kidnapped, converted, assaulted, murdered, massacred, culminating in an attempt at a comprehensive murder to the last child. My exposure to this history led to the conclusion that Zionism’s own assessment – that state sovereignty elsewhere than Europe and a mass exodus from the continent – though revolutionary, was actually only an eminently sensible and just recipe for survival. Not an imperialist land grab, not a messianic crusade. Survival. And, gloriously and crucially, survival as Jews. This is Zionism to me, and this is the argument I take to the demonisers and delegitimisers on the left."
– Jack Omer-Jackaman, English freelance writer.
Omer-Jackaman, J. (2023): Opinion | I am a Zionist because I am a leftist, not in spite of that commitment. In: Fathom. DECEMBER / 2023.
“What gets me about the Middle East is how threatened people seem to be by the only Jewish state in the world. There are 126 states with a Christian majority, 49 with a Muslim majority. Nobody questions their right to be there. Yet there is only one Jewish country, Israel, and a lot of people have a difficulty accepting its right to exist. Why? (…) Israel is the only country in the Middle East that fully protects gay rights. Religious freedom. Free political dissent. Equal rights for women. (…) Israel's right to exist must be acknowledged, as the only Jewish state in the world and the only liberal secular democracy in the Middle East.”
– Richard Humphreys, Irish politician.
"Jewish families teach children from a young age on the proper goals and values and principles, which instill confidence and facilitate the way for them, fueled by tenderness and kindness, so they make them know how to walk their lives' paths, so that the Jew does not see failure in his life. Where Jews entered a city or a country they dominated them culturally and intellectually, politically and economically for the greater good at this place. There is no need to list many examples; just to know that the United States and Europe are successful was because of the Jews who have lived there, and in the eastern countries if we go back to the history books, we find the Arab and Islamic countries were living in affluence in all respects when the Jews inhabited them."
– Mahdi Majid Abdallah, Kurdish author.
Algemeiner: ‘If You Want to Live a Happy Life, Then Be Like the Jews,’ Op-Ed in Arab Newspaper Declares. December 23 2014, 4:47 PM.
“Since its inception, the State of Israel has stood proudly as a beacon of humanitarian endeavours, its international aid programmes benefitting millions across the globe. Israel is world-renowned in sending search and rescue teams, and humanitarian relief to disaster struck regions around the world, and is often the first country to despatch aid teams to those most in need.”
– Elkie Myers, British politician (Conservative).
CFI Informed Magazine 2016/2017. Page 26.
“They built the future in their old-new home, the state of Israel. And under the shadows of their greatest tragedy, Jews were able to build a country that leads the world in medicine, agriculture and technology – Why? Because they looked forward. (…) Israel was one of the few countries that automatically gave full citizenship and equality for all Palestinians in it after ‘48. And we see the results: despite all the challenges, the Arab citizens of Israel built a future. Israeli Arabs are the most educated Arabs in the world, with the best living standards and opportunities in the region. Arabs serve as judges in the Supreme Court; some of the best doctors in Israel are Arabs, working in almost every hospital in the country; there are 13 Arab members of parliament who enjoy the right to criticize the government – a right that they exhaust to the fullest – protected by the freedom of speech; Arabs win popular reality shows; and you can even find Arab diplomats – and one of them is standing in front of you.”
– George Deek, Arab-Israeli Ambassador to Norway.
"What I have not forgotten is the following: the State of Israel is a democracy with the rule of law and respect for human rights (yes, imperfect, unlike the United States and Europe, which, as we all know, are perfect); demonic hatred of Jews is a real and persistent fact of history and when left unchecked it always leads to atrocities; this demonic hatred is absolutely clearly distilled into the enemies of Israel; and most, most importantly this: if tomorrow Hamas, Hizbullah and other enemies of Israel dropped their weapons, peace would break out; if tomorrow Israel dropped its weapons, a genocide would break out. (...) This is a conflict where there really are Good Guys and Bad Guys and to pretend otherwise is indefensible. The chief culprit of the plight of the Palestinians is not Israel but the terrorists and fanatics who use them as tools of their ravenous bloodlust."
– Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry, French writer and analyst.
Gobry, P.-E. (2014): Why I Stand With Israel. In: Forbes. July 18 2014.
“I fully embrace Israel’s right to exist. Why is that so? Because Israel is the only civilized country in the Middle East, erected on Western fundaments, Occidental fundaments. The government of laws. The state which protects basic liberties. The state created to protect the right to life of Jews, who had built this country from the ground up, starting with the settlement of the uninhabited province of Ottoman Syria in the second half of the 19th century. Just like Poland used to be the bulwark of the West in the 17th century, boldly withstanding the barbarian horde set to submit Europe to the caliphate, Israel today is the bulwark of the West, boldly standing fast as the last bastion, bridgehead of civilization in the sea of insane barbarism. The last stand of life, surrounded by the abyss of death.”
– Tomasz Czapla, German-Polish musician.
"Israel is the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. It guarantees minority rights and political pluralism, holds its politicians to account both in and out of office, and is the only country in the Middle East that provides equality under the law for homosexuals and women."
– Hasan Afzal, Pakistani-British activist.
Afzal, H. (2011): Help us help you. In: Jerusalem Post. April 27, 2011. 22:49.
“This diversity of Israel is alive due to the fact that Israel is not only a democratic state, it is so because it is also a Jewish state. Democracy in Israel is possible since the Jewish tradition not only separates religious matters and secular matters but it also gives room for interpretation and different perspectives. That is why a Jewish state does not contradict Israel being a democratic state; on the contrary, it is the prerequisite for it to be democratic.”
– Tobias Petersson, Swedish journalist.
Petersson, T. (2013): Israeli diversity beats everything. In: Times of Israel. Nov 3 2013, 12:25 PM.
"Eretz Yisrael was where the Hebrew script was born and developed in the ninth and tenth centuries BCE, and where monotheism emerged shortly after. It was where Judaism and Jewish civilization were created. Where the First and Second Temples were built and became the center of spiritual life. Where Jewish sovereignty first emerged, where the line of kings descended from David and Solomon was established, and where the first rebellions in the name of Jewish self-determination took place: the Maccabean rebellion against the Seleucids; the Great Revolt of 66 AD that ended with the destruction of the Second Temple; and the Bar Kokhba revolt, the final war against Roman rule. I am a Zionist, then, because the Jewish physical and emotional link to Eretz Yisrael is indisputable."
– Liam Hoare, British freelance writer.
Hoare, L. (2013): I am a British, Liberal Zionist. Deal with It. In: The Tower. May 2013.
“Actually, the Muslim people want peace and unfortunately, the only country in the Middle East that wants peace is Israel and that’s the reason why I want to hang the Israeli flag and support them.”
– Duran Agba, Turkish-American tailor.
The Times of Israel (2015): Muslim family hangs Israeli flag in their Miami store window. 27 October 2015, 5:29 am.
“Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds after the US. The typical Israeli investor is an entrepreneur that had a startup, sold it and now wants to re-invest back into the startup community. Given that Israel has the highest number of startups per capita which amounts to over 5000 startups, means that the pool of investors is pretty huge. And the fact that it’s homegrown folk giving back means that it becomes a pretty easy sell for the entrepreneurs pitching their ventures. Plus the community is sizeable enough that almost everyone knows everyone. Especially given that meetups and networking events are so popular. An environment like this can’t exactly be replicated or invented, it just happens organically.”
– Betty Mutimba, Kenyan entrepreneur.
Mutimba, B. (2014): I have a crush on Israel. In: Times of Israel. Sep 30, 2014, 9:48 AM.
"God has chosen the Jewish people, He loves Israel and He has decided to write His story of blessing with them. We as Christians are allowed to support Israel in being a blessing unto all people. Also based on our history, as the Church and as Germans, we have a unique responsibility towards the Jewish people and the only democracy in the Middle East, the State of Israel."
– Luca-Elias Hezel, Württembergian/German football player.
Christen an der Seite Israels (2023): Facebook Post. 27. April 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel [is] known internationally as Hightech Nation. The country has the world’s highest number of startups per capital, and the second highest concentration of hightech enterprises and startups after the Silicon Valley. Moreover, the country leads in the area of venture capital.”
– Bianca Koigke, German author at Hamburg Startups.
Koigke, B. (2017): Startup Nation Israel – Viel Potential für Hamburg: Gastbeitrag von Carsten Ovens. In: Hamburg Startups. 31. März 2017. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“Israel is a fully functioning and thriving democracy, that enshrines equality between all citizens in its constitution; the only country of its kind in the region.”
– Sedef Akademir, Turkish-British politician (Conservative).
CFI Informed Magazine 2014/2015. Page 26.
"In Israel, Arab Muslim doctors can treat Jewish patients and vice versa. Hospitals there are not segregated. Jewish and Arab teachers teach both Jewish and Arab students in the same schools. The schools there are not legally segregated. There are no legally segregated restaurants or bathrooms. And not only can Arab Israelis vote in elections, but there have been Arab members of Israeli government since the country was founded in 1948. If you actually look at the laws in Israel, you won't find one that says you can't live in this neighborhood or you can't have this job, or you can't serve in the government because of your race. That was what happened in South Africa, but that was not and is not happening in Israel."
– Kiyah Willis, African-American advocate and author.
Willis, K. (2024): Why I Stand with Israel. In: Youtube. 23 May 2024.
“I support Zionism because I am a Muslim and the Quran describes Israel as the land promised to the Jews. The land 'flowing with milk and honey' was promised to the Jews by God. (...) And I am of course a Zionist because being Kurdish prompts my support for Israel unconditionally!”
– Zorav Darisiro, Kurdish-Norwegian activist.
Behan, D.I. (2017): The Incredible Diversity of Zionism. In: The Times of Israel. March 23 2017, 6:09 PM.
"When I think of Israel, I see a modern country. A country that is politically seen as an equal by the most powerful countries in the world. A country that has an army not to be trifled with. Israel has made huge contributions in tech. Almost every week I have some Israeli company pinging me on LinkedIn to showcase some software or SAAS product. A lot of the drip irrigation in India is done with Israeli knowhow. I’m sure if I google I’ll find a lot more in terms of contributions from Israel."
– Vivek Chandran, Indian-American product manager.
Vivek Chandran on Quora. 2018.
“As a Gentile I self identify as a Zionist because I feel self determination should be universal. And the Jewish people suffered the loss of their self determination under the Romans. It’s only right they should get it back. (...) I will always defend the right of the Jews to return to Zion. Any decent human being would. (...) I think that peace will come when all of the Arab states recognise Israel’s right to exist as the tiny little Jewish state that it is.”
– Paul Randall, English activist.
Behan, D.I. (2017): The Incredible Diversity of Zionism. In: The Times of Israel. March 23 2017, 6:09 PM.
Answer on Quora. What can bring peace to the Middle East? 2019.
“Over the past few decades, Israel has established itself as one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. With a population of just over 6 million, there are an incredible number of more than 4,000 technology companies in this country. Cisco, PayPal, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Apple, and Intel are just some of the companies that are working on new products in Israel. (...) Israel is home to major companies in the high-tech industry and has one of the world’s most technologically literate populations. As mentioned earlier, there are more than 4,000 tech companies in Israel, including some of the world’s largest companies. Israel has 60 of the world’s top 500 tech giants with research centres and new technology centres in Israel! Tel Aviv, the capital [sic] of Israel, is one of the largest technology centres in the world, right next to Silicon Valley in the United States in terms of tech startups. Israel is even number 3 on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, which is made up of shares of US-based tech companies, with only the United States and China topping the list. (...) Since the devastation of the 1980s, Israel has doubled its population, quadrupled its employment, and surpassed developed countries such as Spain or Italy in terms of GDP. After all, they have brought the world of technology into their own hands. The present age is the age of technology.”
– Sheikh Riad, Bangladeshi SEO Strategist.
Sheikh Riad. LinkedIn. 7 april 2022.
“I think Israel is an inspiration for a future Assyria. Jews and Assyrians went through the same things, being here inspires me to build Assyria and build our people and learn about our heritage and I look at Israel and see a future Assyria.”
– Mary Anton, Iraqi-Canadian (Assyrian) activist.
Frantzman, S.J. (2017): Iraqi Christian youth leaders look to Jewish history for inspiration. In: Jerusalem Post. July 18 2017.
“Indeed, in just a few years, the Jewish State has established itself as the Promised Land of start-ups. A culture of risk, investment, entrepreneurship, but also an army of initiative and cutting-edge universities, all the ingredients are there and the 'startup nation spirit' seems to have borne fruit. Indeed, the Jewish State today is a heavyweight in global innovation since more than 50 years, the high-tech sector represents more than 8% of GDP and growth exceeds 3.5%.”
– Clémence Allezard, French journalist.
Radio France (2018): De Tel Aviv à Singapour : le modèle « start-up nation » en question Mercredi 2 mai 2018. [Translated by C. Nooij].
*MOBINA WAS ARRESTED IN IRAN FOR THIS MESSAGE AND HER WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN*
“As an Iranian, I am really ashamed of the regime's attack on Israel, but you should know that the people of Iran love Israel and hate the Islamic Republic.”
– Mobina Rostami, Iranian volleyball player.
Instagram Post. 17 April 2024.
"You have a very strong military, defending the tourists and your people, Arabs, Muslims and Jews alike. I felt how people care about each other, asking how they are feeling, telling them not to worry. There was a beautiful solidarity, a sense of togetherness. We are coming to participate in this program, especially at this time, to support Israeli people and to say to the whole world that we are against terrorism. In many Arab countries today there is no security or stability because of radicalism, terrorism and hate. We are against any organization that believes in murdering someone for their race or for their beliefs. We stand with Israelis because they have the right to defend themselves."
– Faiçal Marjani, Moroccan peace activist.
Pacchiani, G. (2024): In Israel, activists from Muslim countries denounce common threat of radical Islam. In: Times of Israel. 26 April 2024, 9:07 am.
"As a Chinese, I say we respect Israel a lot, almost all Chinese do. Not because anything else, but because you Israelis are real tough!!! Not everyone can beat an alliance of 4 to 6 nations single-handedly, not to mention all those nations are much bigger than you. You are such a tiny country, but your achievements in warfare, economy, wealth, science and culture parallel even some of the largest empires on earth."
– Kane Luo, Chinese-American data scientist.
Comment on Youtube. Shavei Israel (2009): Chinese Jews from Kaifeng arrive in Israel 2009 - a moving documentary.
"I consider Israel, a Jewish State, necessary because: there is no historical data that proves that Jews are structurally safe under non-Jewish rule. All of history points out that when Jews live under non-Jewish rule, there are actually routinely, every few centuries if they're lucky, but in reality every century if it's a rough century, pogroms and there's anti-Semitism. You see that basically in the whole world, definitely in Europe and Russia, in the Islamic World as well. (...) 18 out of 24 Hamas batallions have been disabled, eliminated, no longer existent. So between 10,000 and 13,000 killed Hamas fighters is a plausible number. Okay, let's say that's correct, then there's 13,000 Hamas fighters among the 31,000 casualties. That means that a little more than a third of the total number of casualties is made up of Hamas fighters and that is in no way compatible with the Hamas claim that 70% of the total consists of women and children. (...) Then that's a combatant vs civilian casualty ratio of 1:2. So for every Hamas fighter, two civilians die. Again, that's a tragedy, but placing it in the context: Israel is fighting in an extremely densely populated, urban environment against a tunneled-in enemy, fighting between, inside and from civilian infrastructure. Taking that into consideration, suddenly one Hamas fighter for the price - it sounds cynical, but let's stick to the calculus - of two civilians, becomes an extraordinarily low ratio for this specific theater of war, that no other military anywhere in the world has ever shown. The American civilian-combatant ratio in Fallujah for example was 1:10."
– Timon Dias, Sri Lankan-Dutch psychologist and author.
Michiel Lieuwma (2023): Open Geesten: Timon Dias over Israël, Palestina & Hamas (#96). In: Youtube. 20 oktober 2023. [Translated by C. Nooij].
Michiel Lieuwma (2024): Open Geesten: Gratis therapiesessie van Timon Dias (#115). In: Youtube. 25 maart 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
"Hello, my name is Abdol Abd el-Rahman Abugosh and I am a Zionist Arab. Israel is my home. I live here, my family lives here. My rights are here, my friends are here, both Arabs and Jews. I enlisted in the IDF to give back to country that I love. (...) I think the Jewish people deserves its own country, a democratic Jewish State with all rights. (...) As an Israeli Arab, I think we need to be loyal to our country. We should enjoy both our rights and duties, I strive for it that peace can be achieved one day, a fair peace between our people and the Arab states. Between our two peoples."
– Abdol Abugosh, Arab-Israeli communications student.
MyIsrael: Abdol AbugoshAUJS Youtube (2013): MyIsrael: Abdol Abugosh. In: Youtube. 10 March 2013.
"I don’t think Iraq and Israel are enemies. I think maybe the governments are enemies with each other, but there are a lot of Iraqi people who don’t have a problem with Israel or with the Jewish people. There are a lot of Iraqi people on my side, and I believe they are happy I am here [in Israel]."
– Sarah Idan, Iraqi-American model (Miss Universe Iraq 2017). 1990 AD
BBC News (2018): Miss Iraq and Miss Israel reunited after selfie controversy. 13 June 2018.
“There is a lot we can learn from Israel’s experience over the past 20 years. Israel has more venture capitalists per capita investing in innovation than any other country. It has more entrepreneurs and more start-ups on a per capita basis.”
– Wyatt Roy, Australian Liberal National MP. 1990 AD
Wyatt Roy says Israel offers lesson in how to encourage Startups. In: The Australian. 12 November 2015.
"We stand clearly on the side of Israel! We consider the existence and security of Israel as the central mission of our policy."
– Gregor Voht, German politician from Lübeck (Freie Wähler). 1990 AD
FREIE WÄHLER Bundesvereinigung (2024): Facebook Post. 2. Oktober 2024. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“People don't know, but each day there are tens of children and people from Gaza and the West Bank being treated in Israeli hospitals, receiving the best treatments for cancer and any other diseases. Israeli Jewish volunteers drive the parents back and forth from Gaza or from the West Bank. The niece of Ismail Haniyeh, who is the leader of Hamas and was the brain behind the attack [of October 7 2023], she was hospitalized for a few months in Israel just recently. We give the best possible treatment for everyone. And you know Judaism really values lives. What is the first tenet? 'Al tirtzach' - don't kill. We value life, we value human life. (...) Israel gave us everything that it could give us, even though we were Arabs. (...) 25% of the Israeli population is actually Arab. Most of them are Muslims, more than 20% are Muslims. I'm one of them, right. And the Arabs in Israel are getting their equal rights, like they're citizens for everything, getting welfare, education, healthcare - anything that a Jewish citizen would get. So how do you call this an apartheid or making ethnic genocide? (...) If not for Israel, I probably would be illiterate, penniless, herding sheep somewhere in Galil. But I have an electrical engineering degree, I have a masters from Stanford University, and I have my rights to live my life the way that I want to live it.”
– Sophia Shramko, Arab-Israeli fashion model. 1990 AD
Liraz Naz (2023): Sophia Sharamko, an Israeli Muslim. The simple truth. Thank you. In: Instagram. 25 October 2023.
"I am an Arab. I am a Muslim. And I love my country. In fact, I’m prepared to die for it. Which is why I serve in its army. I don’t have to do this. I want to do this. Because my country is a special place, unlike any other. Free. Diverse. Vibrant. (...) Today, I am a student at Haifa University. Half of the students are Arab. More than once, I have seen the Palestinian flag being waved at a rally or protest on campus. In Israel, you can do this because, whether you are a Jew or an Arab, you are free. (…) The State of Israel is the most beautiful country in the world. The best country in the world. And I am telling you this as an Israeli Arab, okay? An Israeli Arab. (...) You [Jews] have one country in this world! You need to protect it. If you didn't have this country, the world would be persecuting you."
– Mohammad Kabiya, Bedouin-Israeli strategic consultant and air force reservist. 1990 AD
Rochman, R. (2017): Israeli Arab confronts Israeli Jew at Columbia University. In: Youtube. 2 April 2017.
Kabiya, M. (2022): An Arab in the Israeli Army. In: PragerU.com.
“Nowadays Israel is the most vegan country in the world. Much of the fruit and vegetables are available all years for climatic reasons. I think it could be a step that could improve the world.”
– Marina Fraas, Franconian/German peer counselor. 1990 AD
Deutsch-Israelische Gesellschaft: Warum Israel?. [Translated by C. Nooij].
“I support Israel because I care about the joy and the suffering of living beings. There are seven million Jews in Israel. They deserve one country of their own, their ancient homeland which has always been sacred to them, one place where they can be safe, where they are the self-determining majority, in a world where so many people seem bent on oppressing them or outright killing them. I see that Israel is under brutal attack, and they must defend themselves. Of course they must; anyone must, and would. And they are doing so, with overwhelmingly greater humanitarian restraint and consideration than anyone else in the Middle East would do; indeed I am not at all sure that any country would show greater restraint under similar circumstances.”
– Devala Rees, American Hindu convert and business intelligence analyst. 1991 AD
Devala Rees. Answer to "Why do you support Israel if you're not Jewish?". In: Quora. November 9 2023.
“I'm very impressed with Israel. I always had good thoughts and liked to research a lot about Israel and what this country has become and all that. But coming here and seeing the country for myself, seeing the cities and the people for myself, I must say my opinion of Israel has moved even further towards 'very positive'. Because it is a very developed, very well taken care of country. Very nice people, everybody has been so nice. And so many stereotypes, so many accusations that people make against Israel are completely crunched.”
– Ridvan Aydemir, Turkish internet activist. 1991 AD
Ex-Islamist: Millions Are Being Taught To "Dehumanize" Jews and Israel | The Quad. Youtube. 25 February 2024.
"I only have one home, even if I’m not Jewish: Israel. That’s where all my family lives. That’s where I grew up. That’s the country I want to see continue to exist so I can exist. Palestine should exist too as an independent state. And I hope to see the country thrive and become less extreme and more prosperous. I love Palestine and have invested in Palestine. But it’s not my home. (...) I read Jewish books, I talked to Jewish rabbi's, I celebrated Jewish holidays (...) and now I understand why 22% of Nobel prizes go to Jews. (...) Even if we're not Jewish, we can be inspired by Judaism. We can try to have dinner with family once a week. We can try to rest from social media for one day. We can celebrate our kids when they become adults. We can disagree without being offended. We can all build a community, where no one feels lonely. This is the beauty of Judiasm, that we can take home with us to make the world a little bit better - a lot better!"
– Nuseir Yassin, Israeli-Palestinian vlogger. 1992 AD
Yassin, N. (2023): Post on Twitter/X. 9 October 2023.
Nas Daily (2024): I studied Judaism for 1 month. Now I love to argue. In: Youtube. 15 May 2024.
“I am a Christian, son of a SLA officer, proud to live in Israel and call it my country. (…) We feared the Hezbollah, we feared the Muslims. And especially the Palestinians, because they killed the Christians, they startled them, kidnapped them. Because Israel was there in these areas, we weren’t so afraid. Because Israel was defending us. (…) Israel doesn’t force you to abandon your identity and your beliefs or your language. You can choose where to live and what to wear. You can choose where to study and what to study and Israel tries to help you succeed. You have electricity 24/7, running water, and working transportation to and from every city, health care in one of the best hospitals in the world. (…) There is free education for every child till the age of 18 and a good life standard. You have the right to protest on every subject that bothers you and included is even the right to arrange pro-Palestinian protest demonstrations.”
– Jonathan Elkhoury, Lebanese-Israeli LGBTQ+ activist. 1992 AD
Elkhoury, J. (2014): The Hypocrisy against Israel. In: Perspektiv på Israels.
"As a kid growing up in Turkey, there was so much antisemitism. My mom always told me not to hate anyone before meeting them and I promised her I would – and I am really happy that I listened to my mother. (...) In every place [in Israel] we went, the people were so warm and friendly to me. (...) I always knew about the Holocaust and the six million that were murdered, but I didn’t know it was this deep and now I am more motivated than ever before about fighting antisemitism."
– Enes Kanter Freedom, Turkish-American basketball player and human rights activist. 1992 AD
Eglash, R.M. (2022): Visiting Israel, NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom says he is ‘more motivated than ever’ to fight antisemitism. In: Jewish Insider. August 1, 2022.
“What did Israel manage to do in only 50 years? It increased its population tenfold; expanded its agricultural production sixteenfold and its industrial production fiftyfold; and decreased its water use by 10%. That’s Israel in just 50 years. (...) The percentage of Israelis engaged in scientific and technological inquiry, and the money spent on research and development, are the second highest in the world. In 2005, Israel published 6309 essays in foreign scientific journals, i.e. more than 17 every day! More than America! Israel ranks #1! The USA ranks #12, Germany #15. In Israel 140 out of every 10,000 employees are scientists or engineers. In America it’s 85 and in Japan 83. Israel is the fifth most clean technological country in the world. FIFTH. (...) The education at Israeli universities is among the best 50 in the world, in fields like chemistry, biology, mathematics and computer science. (...) Israel is a very strong country, and what it did in such a short time, speaks for the intelligence and strength of Israelis.”
– Sherif Gaber, Egyptian activist. 1993 AD
Gaber, S. (2015): Convicted Egyptian blogger posts Israel fan vid. In: Times of Israel. September 24 2015, 6:38 pm.
"When I went to Israel, I saw the Bible come to life. When I went to Israel, I saw Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and Sarah, Rebeccah and Leah in the Hall of the Patriarchs. When I went to Israel, what I read as Bible stories popped open and I said: this is the Word of God, this is real, these are not fairytales or fables or things that we tell our kids. When I went to Israel, I was able to cry where Jesus cried, where He was betrayed by Judas, where He was arrested, where He rose from the Dead and gives us Eternal Life. (…) You know Joshua and Caleb and what happened like 5,000 years ago? Okay so that's Canaan, the Land of Milk and Honey, Judea and Samaria. So, in order for [anti-Zionists] to be right, that means that the Bible is wrong. So are you Christian? Okay, so then you believe the Bible? Well then, is the Bible right or is the Bible wrong? King Hezekiah, where was he? How about King David, King Solomon? How about Zechariah, Jeremiah, where did they operate? (...) I believe the Jewish people have a right to their ancestral homeland. (…) Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East right now. They're practicing democracy [for] Muslims, Jews and Christians. (…) Here's the bottom line: Arabs are better served under the Israeli government, than under the Palestinian Authority government."
– Charlie Kirk, American political activist and author. 1993 AD
The Perseverance (2024): Charlie Kirk DISMANTLES Anti Israel Student With Facts! (HEATED DEBATE). In: Youtube. 5 May 2024.
JewishUncensored (2024): Christian Tries to Criticize Jews & Israel until Charlie Steps in and Goes BIBLICAL. In: Youtube. 4 November 2024.
The Perseverance (2024): Charlie Kirk DISMANTLES Angry Anti Israel Students With Facts About Hamas (HEATED DEBATE). In: Youtube. 11 May 2024.
“The Jewish people deserve a home, a safe place. I was born in Afghanistan, and all my life I heard bad things about Jews and Israel. I fell in love with a person who not only happens to be Jewish but who fought for Israel, and that strength and struggle of the Jewish people is something I admire and I will even fight for Israel if I have to to defend the Jewish people and their history and culture. I could go on and on about why I support Israel, but it is their struggle that I hold dear to my heart. Am Yisrael Chai.”
– Yasmeena Ali, Afghan-British model and actress. 1993 AD
Behan, D.I. (2017): The Incredible Diversity of Zionism. In: The Times of Israel. March 23 2017, 6:09 PM.
“I just got back from Israel and my life will never be the same. I was met with kindness and hospitality. I thought that I was going to experience apartheid, but I saw people from different backgrounds coexisting in peace together. I thought I was going to see hatred towards Muslims, but I saw dozens of Muslims who love Israel and are proud of their country. (...) I was met by a kind people who are struck by grief and terror. (...) I have been excommunicated by closeminded friends and family members, but you know what? It was worth it, because I got to see Israel and experience the truth about Israel for myself. I wish that my friends and family members would also visit Israel and see the beauty of the country.”
– Luai Ahmed, Yemeni-Swedish journalist and columnist. 1993 AD
OtherBarak (2023): Luai Ahmed Just Came Back From Israel. In: Youtube. 7 December 2023.
“The Jews and the Yazidis share a common history of genocide that has shaped the identity of our peoples, but we must transform our pain into action. I respect how you rebuilt a global Jewish community in the wake of genocide. This is a journey that lies ahead of my community. (…) [The Israelis’] resilience and how they rebuild their communities. Their ability to stay to stay strong and keep their culture... it's an example. I personally fell in love with doing that. The Jews are an example. We should do the same.”
– Nadiye Murad, Iraqi-German (Yazidi) activist. 1993 AD
Newman, M. (2018): Year after Nobel winner pleaded with MKs, Israel still stalls on Yazidi genocide. In: The Times of Israel. October 11 2018, 9:54.
“Israel is revered as a beacon of freedom, democracy and the rule of law, and Tel Aviv can proudly boast its credentials as one of the world's most gay-friendly cities. (...) That sort of language is far from hyperbole. The freedom which gay Israelis enjoy isn't offered anywhere else in the Middle East. You would need to travel thousands of miles beyond Israel to reach the next major Pride parade. In much of the region, you will suffer state-sanctioned repression. In some places, your sexual orientation can cost you your life with death penalties, torture and lengthy, life-changing prison sentences all at the state's disposal.”
– Jacob Young, English/British Conservative MP. 1993 AD
CFI INFORMED MAGAZINE 2022/2023. Page 27.
“From Western and Eastern Europe, across Africa and the Middle East, Jews have made a collective and steady pilgrimage to their ancient homeland. World history is stamped into the DNA of Israeli society. Ever since the emergence of the Zionist movement for Jewish statehood at the turn of the twentieth century, Israel has experienced extraordinary waves of immigration. Jewish pioneers inspired by Theodore Herzl's vision of Jewish self-determination were joined by European Jews escaping an increasingly turbulent and intolerant Europe, taking the territory's population from around 275,000 in 1800 to roughly two million upon the UN partition of the British Mandate in 1947. (...) Through daring humanitarian escapades, the IDF has rescued thousands of refugees from war-torn dictatorships in Iraq, Ethiopia, Uganda and Yemen, often in the dead of night with little intelligence and limited resources. These groups joined the estimated one million Jews from across the Middle East and North Africa which themselves fled antisemitic persecution in the 1940s and 50s against the backdrop of Arab nationalism. Today, these Mizrahi Jews make up the largest percentage of Jews within Israel. (...) Israel's diverse communities have been welcomed by a fundamentally liberal population. Inspired by enlightenment philosophy, early founders such as Golda Meir, 'Israel's Iron Lady', set a precedent for the establishment of gender equality throughout the country's history. Today, female empowerment is celebrated at every stratum. Israel's liberal nature has seen it emerge as an island of LGBTQ+ freedom in the Middle East. It was one of the first countries to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1992. Leading the way for much of the West, the Jewish State is a vanguard for progressive values, with Tel Aviv proudly celebrated as the 'gay capital of the Middle East'. (...) Israel's unique blend of ancient peoples and ultra-modern technology continues to defy expectations. (...) Israel's booming population - empowered by the freedom to identify with their own traditions and cultures - will continue to strengthen the nation's resolve to defend the right of self-determination not just for the Jewish people, but for every community that calls it home.”
– Nicola Richards, English/British Conservative MP. 1993 AD
CFI INFORMED MAGAZINE 2023/2024. Page 32.
"I think it’s safe to say many Jews inspired me, modern ones, from artists and scientists to filmmakers and writers to sages and prophets and Biblical characters. (...) The Jews love each other. They die for each other. They defend each other. They support each other. They comfort each other. They're happy for each other, with each other. With a yarmulke, or without - it makes no difference to them. One body that shares the same blood."
– Timor-David Aklin, Arab-Israeli filmmaker, activist and Jewish convert. 1993 AD
Litvak, Y. (2024): From Islam to Judaism: Timor-David Aklin’s Tumultuous Journey. In: AISH. March 3, 2024.
Instagram Post, 28 February 2024.
"We speak of the sword-wielding Maccabees, who never yielded, who never gave in, but where determined to live. (…) When we speak Zionism, we speak freedom. We speak of the hope that Anne Frank felt in spite of what she saw. We speak of the poem of the woman who was hung but right before, she looked out in the distance and longed for the sun and the sand to never end and it never will, when she cried out 'Eli, Eli'. (...) We speak of the hope, of the endeavor, of the attempt, of the striving, of the never yielding, of the never dying, of the continuing to aspire to be free. We speak of the concept ensconced in that simple Hebrew phrase 'lech lecha'."
– Chloé Valdary, African-American writer and entrepreneur. 1994 AD
Rochman, R. (2022): Israeli Arab confronts Israeli Jew at Columbia University. In: Youtube. 14 June 2022.
"There's rotten apples in every nation, but I have yet to meet a Jewish one. (...) It fills me with shame, disgust and sadness that our best citizens are escaping Holland because our government has abandoned them, but I am so glad there is a strong Jewish State to protect them, where they can feel safely at home in their ancient homeland as proud Israelites. (...) I can't put into words how much it angers me that the lone democracy and the only Jewish State in the world is constantly being attacked and held to different standards in our media, our parliaments, even in tribunals like The Hague. The IDF is the only army in the world that risks its strategic advantage by warning civilians before a precision attack; Israel is usually the first country to arrive on worldwide scenes of disaster to provide aid; and if we want to cherish the hope of ever defeating cancer, we depend entirely on the brilliance and humanity of Israeli physicians - all of this is totally and impressively in accordance with the Biblical and Talmudic doctrines valuing every innocent life. If anything, we should admire Israel for being a light unto the nations, and try our best to emulate even a few of the Jewish State's characteristics."
– C. Nooij, Dutch creator of Quotes of Zion. 1995 AD
"I prefer to be ruled over by Jews as they are smart people who are capable of turning this land into a developed westernized country. The western civilization and Christianity originate from here, so why would you want this land to be a Muslim third world country?"
– Benjamin Khoury, Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem. 1995 AD
Benjamin Khoury. Answer to "Why do you support Israel if you're not Jewish?". In: Quora. February 2022.
“Why did I decide to enlist [in the IDF]? Because I'm from this country and I love the country and I want to contribute. Everyone should enlist, anybody who lives here should enlist. (…) I need to be part of the country, to be like everybody else.”
– Yusef Salutta, Arab-Israeli sergeant in the Israeli Defense Forces. 1996 AD
Reuters (2016): Arab IDF soldier: 'I love this country and want to contribute'. In: Jerusalem Post. December 6 2016, 16:40.
“I enlisted in order to contribute to the country, because I live in this country. The country helps us and I will have a good future.”
– Saleh Khalil, Arab-Israeli sergeant in the Israeli Defense Forces. 1996 AD
Reuters (2016): Arab IDF soldier: 'I love this country and want to contribute'. In: Jerusalem Post. December 6 2016, 16:40.
"So a lot of people believe that Jewish people are corrupt because a lot of them hold powerful positions. But to me that just sounds like bitterness and jealousy, because Jewish people know how to work hard. They know how to move in silence because wealth whispers. And Jewish people have values that elevate their community. Meanwhile, too many other communities are focused on dragging each other back down to the ghetto trenches and trailer courts. (...) If anything, we should be taking notes on how they have continued to elevate their community in the face of adversity. And don't even get me started on Israel. Because I just find it funny how all these Middle Eastern Muslim countries are unproblematic apparently, but Israel, the one Jewish country, is not allowed to exist. If you have a problem with a nation that minds its business, but stands on its values and stands its ground, then just say that. (...) Israel itself, born out of the ashes of persecution, has been a beacon of hope, welcoming Jews from around the globe, including tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jews and others of African heritage. (...) I went to Israel during the middle of a war and I was treated with nothing but love, respect and appreciation. As a matter of fact, I met so many Black Israeli-Americans who love every single moment of living in Israel. Because the gag is that Israel is one of the most diverse places in the world: they love everybody who is not a musty genocidal terrorist."
– Xaviaer DuRousseau, African-American influencer. 1997 AD
DuRousseau, X. (2023): Jewish Secret Societies... walk with me. In: Instagram. 7 September 2023.
DuRousseau, X. (2024): Is Israel racist? I visited to get the facts straight - opinion. In: Jerusalem Post. FEBRUARY 15, 2024 02:46.
DuRousseau, X. (2023): Israel: A Diverse Haven of Love and Acceptance. In: Instagram. 18 January 2024.
"I'm an Israeli. I'm an Arab. I'm a Muslim. And I'm a proud soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces. I grew up in the Arab village of Umm al-Fahm. I grew up in a country that I would start to hate, but eventually I fell in love with Israel. I decided I wanted to give back to my country, so even though I am not required to do military service, I chose to enlist in the IDF and join a combat unit. I was nervous about how the rest of my platoon would feel about serving with the soldier who comes from a Muslim background, but I was greeted with open arms, treated with nothing but respect and admiration. (…) What made me fall in love with Israel was the resilience of its people, and I'm proud to be part of that people, and I'm proud to be me: an Israeli Arab Muslim IDF soldier."
– Yahya Mahamid, Arab-Israeli officer. 1997 AD
Israel Defense Forces (2019): Yahya, a Muslim Arab Israeli Combat Soldier. In: Youtube. 5 October 2019.
“Israel is our only democratic ally in the region and has every right to exist freely and securely — I’m unapologetic about how I feel about that and will not waver off my stance.”
– Isaiah Martin, African-American politician (Dem) from Texas. 1998 AD
Twitter/X, 20 september 2023.
"The people here have been amazing. I knew they were amazing, but to actually see it like in real life has been great. (…) How people here embrace life you know, although there's war and stuff going on, I don't see people on a day-to-day [basis being] sad or depressed about what's going on. They're so full of joy, it shocks me that I'm here and - you know, when I first got here I was a little worried how everything was, but the people, just the reassurance from them... they're like, you know, we have God protecting us, the military is very good. Just seeing people happy on a day-to-day [basis] on the beach, just living, that's the most interesting thing about Israel."
– David Nzekwesi, Nigerian-Dutch basketball player. 2000 AD
TheTravelingClatt (2024): BLACK MAN in ISRAEL Experience! What it is really like?. In: Youtube 23 October 2024.
"Since its founding in 1948, Israel has been attacked multiple times by neighboring Arab nations. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Israel has miraculously survived and thrived. The 1967 Six Day War is one of the most stunning examples of how Israel, against all odds, defeated a coalition of Arab nations. These nations, despite their military strength, were left humiliated and defeated. Time and time again we see the same pattern: nations that rise against Israel face defeat and destruction, while Israel continues to exist and flourish. (…) I live in Indonesia and my country has been colonized by [the] Dutch for almost 350 years if I'm not mistaken and we don't even speak Dutch, and Dutch people don't speak Bahasa Indonesia or Javanese, so they were supposed to go back to their homeland. But for Jews, you cannot say they are the colonizer, if most people there speak Hebrew. It's their mother tongue, so how come they are the colonizer of this land? (...) I found the truth: Israel is the longest [living] and oldest nation [that] ever existed in the history of humankind."
– Ririh Dirja, Indonesian youtuber.
Dirja, R. (2024): Why It’s Hard To Destroy Israel. In: Youtube, 10 October 2024.
Dirja, R. (2024): I Study The History of Israel, and realized I was Deceived by pro-palestine Propaganda. In: Youtube, 23 October 2024.
“I am glad that this year, the world final is hosted by Israel. Which, for us, is and must be a sister country. Romania has many historical connections with the state of Israel. Maybe we should have a common history to be taught in schools. I cannot forget that in our country there were countless Jewish communities, both in Transylvania and in the north of Moldova or in other parts of Romania. We have something to learn from each other, as brothers and, I hope, allies. I greatly admire Israel, which had the power to be reborn.”
– Olimpia Cotfas, Romanian Miss Universe. 2002 AD
Casino Life & Business Magazine (2022): Carmina Olimpia Cotfas, Miss Universe Romania. 5 March 2022.
“I like Israel, the culture is interesting.”
– Ameli Bilyk, Ukrainian acrobat. 2006 AD
Wien, K. (2023): Wunderkind Ameli Bilyk begeistert mit Schlappseil-Akrobatik beim Offenburger Weihnachtszirkus. In: Badische Neueste Nachrichten. 04. Jan. 2023. 11:30.
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