Armistice

happy birthday to israel.

As Israel marked its 61st birthday this week, there are many reasons for pride in the past and hope for the future — but also for concern. In recent years, Israel has seemingly worried more about how others define it, and that worries us.

And therein lies the problem. Israel has become like an adolescent — desperately seeking approval from the popular kids (the international community, including Arab countries), even to the extent of losing its identity.

At the root of this capitulation is Israel’s desire to be a “normal” country. Even if Israel makes peace with the entire Arab world, it will never be a “normal” county. It should be a light unto the nations, rather than a country that blends in with and is indistinguishable from the nations.