Why do we seem to spend so much time, effort, and money defending Israel's reputation?
Other countries have their own share of problems and difficulties. Yet, nobody in the States threatens to emigrate from that country if things don't go their way. At most, they may choose to go to Canada or Israel in order to weather the storm, but they always intend to return "home."
Why are we Israelis so paranoid about our country? Why are we made to feel ashamed of our own problems, when others accept the limitations of their own countries?
Immigrant Jews always seem to compare Israel with their "home" country - and Israel inevitably loses. Israel never has as much toilet paper, or as much of a variety, or an equivalent quality, as the product they had back "home."
Why is it so important to contrast issues in Israel with those in other countries? The best place to look for the things that are offered in your "home" country is back there. Israel is a different country, with a different economy. That means that the products or foods are also different. So is everything else.
Why should that be a problem? Why should Jews find it necessary to defend the differences between Israel and the Diaspora?
Or, perhaps that insecurity itself is the main difference. Citizens of other countries accept the things in their country, for good or for bad.
Perhaps our golus mentality and our insecurity keep returning, causing us to complain.
Isn't it time for us to grow up?
Read more about yoyos
Read a list of forums about Israel
Read a list of forums about Jewish and Hebrew issues
Are you required to read this webpage for a course? Do NOT print out the article. It is copyrighted.
Your exercise for this article is as follows:
Copyright © David Grossman. World rights reserved. This article may not be printed, forwarded, reproduced, or copied in any way or in any medium without written permission from David Grossman.
Keywords: Complaining, Economy, Hasbara, Insecurity
/GrossmanIsrael/Articles/YoYo/WhichIsBetter