The intense struggles within Israeli society – demonstrations, roadblocks, the siege of the Knesset and the Prime Minister’s residence, the persecution of public figures – have long resonated beyond our borders. These events are repeatedly broadcast on the propaganda channels of the Arab world, painting a picture of a weak, torn and divided people. The rhetoric of a “nation of cobwebs” on the brink of disintegration is repeated by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah.
In the tunnels of Gaza, in the casbases of Judea and Samaria, in Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, and even among some Israeli Arabs, the scenarios unfolding in Israeli society are closely monitored. Since the October 7 massacre, every statement by retired and serving politicians or former military generals is immediately translated into Arabic and disseminated through propaganda networks, often accompanied by Hamas symbols and melodies. Any mention of lack of fighting spirit, failure, reluctance in the army, civil unrest, and fratricidal wars becomes fuel for the anti-Israel propaganda and psychological warfare machine.
“Jews are seen as destroyers of their own state”
The narrative that Israel was defeated by external forces has morphed into one that sees Jews as the ones destroying their own state. Yet this perceived internal disarray does not reduce the danger of a massive attack on Israel; in fact, it brings it dangerously closer, as the last few weeks have shown. I say this with conviction, as someone who follows these Arab channels on a daily basis – channels that are unfortunately inaccessible to most Israelis.
For people on the Arab street living under oppressive regimes, Israel is not a powerful democratic state capable of embracing complexities, disputes and public debate while preserving the right to protest and freedom of expression. Many people in the Middle East view this reality through a prism that reveals to them weakness and decay. This distorted perception fuels the dreams of fundamentalists and fanatics in the Muslim world who desire the destruction of Israel. They believe that the time has come to realize these dreams.
As an Israeli Arab citizen who respects and values national symbols and values, who considers the Israeli flag and anthem as his own, and who recognizes the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, I am deeply disturbed by the interpretation of Israeli reality in countries that are hostile to us. At the same time, as a proud citizen of this democratic state, I fully support the right to protest, the right to criticize an elected government, and the right to freedom of expression. But we cannot ignore how the processes taking place in Israeli society are perceived by millions of people who dream of Israel’s destruction, and what actions they might take based on these perceptions – as we all painfully witnessed on October 7.
“The responsibility to tell the true story of Israel”
For this reason, long before October 7, I have been actively involved in Israeli outreach and public diplomacy efforts in the Arab world. In the last ten months alone, I have participated in over 200 panels, interviews, programs and debates on television and in the Arab media. I live, feel and emphasize the great responsibility that rests on all of us to spread the true story and facts about Israel, our society and our values, despite the current challenges. Those of us who are able to speak out in this way should do so, even if it is not always easy.
In the meantime, it is our collective responsibility – as citizens and as politicians of all factions, all sides of the political spectrum, all faiths and values - to pause before we reach the edge of the cliff. We must pause before insulting or slandering the other. We must pause and think about the threats from outside; about the terrorists in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, the commander in Iran, the fighters in Lebanon, and the entire axis of evil that is growing and intensifying – united by the common goal of destroying the State of Israel. This axis of evil does not distinguish between left and right, between Arabs and Jews, between immigrants and veterans, between patriots and dreams of peace.
Especially now, as the Jewish people observe the somber fast of Tisha B’Av, remembering the destruction of the ancient Temple due to internal divisions, it is our duty as citizens of Israel to form a united front of freedom and justice. We must deal with our internal disputes constructively, not destructively, and ensure the strength and unity of our nation in the face of the threats that surround us.
The author is a partner in the Anti-Hamas Advocacy Project of the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center, a division of Ohr Torah Stone. He is an expert on Israel in the Arab world, an educator, and a peace activist.
