The unconditional support for Israel as a Jewish homeland and a Jewish national state exists among all Israeli Jewish believers, regardless of their religious affiliation. The majority of Jews hold the belief that God awarded Israel to them and maintain that Jewish statehood is vital for their enduring existence. Most Jews support Jewish citizenship priority in Israel, along with the complete backing of their diaspora’s immigration right to Israel for citizenship benefits.
Israeli Jews maintain opposing views about Arab minorities’ position in Israel since half of them want Arabs removed, whereas the other half disagree with such removal or relocation. The Jewish population of Israel holds the view that multiple enduring challenges exist for the Jewish state, along with its other concerns. About equal percentages of Israeli Jews cite economic and security-related issues when asked to describe in their own words what Israel’s biggest issue is.
Historical background of Jews in Israel
Jews have resided in the Land of Israel for thousands of years, during which time they went through phases of national leadership, followed by times of being pushed out, followed by times of coming back. Historical documents, Biblical stories, and archeological evidence support the deep historical relations existing between the Jewish people and this territory.
1. Early origins
The archeological data indicate how the Israelites began their autonomous evolution separately from the Canaanites in 1200 BCE in the Late Bronze Age. During Iron Age I (1200-1000 BCE), Israelites developed peculiar societies with individualistic cultural features, including religious affiliation and limitations in marriage on religious grounds.
2. Biblical period
The religious teachings show that Saul formed Israel together with David during the time of 1000 BCE, before Solomon took power. Solomon constructed the First Temple as king, while David proclaimed Jerusalem to be the central authority of Israel during that time.
The discovery of the Mesha and Tel Dan steles presents historical proof of the Davidic-period Israelite kingdoms.
3. Second temple period
The Jews built the Second Temple during the Persian period (538 BCE) after being forcibly sent to Babylonian exile. The territory experienced influence from Hellenistic culture after Alexander the Great won in 332 BCE. The cultural division between traditionalists and Hellenized Jews emerged within Jewish cultural groups because of these developments.
Jewish independence succeeded the Maccabean Revolt by restoring the Hasmonean Kingdom, which fought off Seleucid rule until 64 BCE, when Rome took over.
4. Modern Zionists
Immigrant waves known as Aliyah began because of this, which led to the establishment of modern Israel in 1948. Sumerian, along with biblical and archaeological findings, reveals that Jews maintained historic connections with Israel throughout the ages. Through millennia of foreign occupation and exile, Jews maintained homeland ties in this region from the time of the ancient kingdoms until present-day sovereignty. This vast historical record is ignored by claims that reject Jewish links or characterize Israel as a settler-colonial movement.
Why do Jews support the creation of Israel?
Israeli Jews regard the Jewish diaspora as significant and cherish Israel as a Jewish state. According to population research, seventy percent of the Jewish community trusts that the survival of their people over extended periods requires strong Jewish communities abroad. The Israeli Jewish community maintains strong bonds with American Jews despite recognizing that American Jews hold different viewpoints regarding long-term Israeli challenges and follow different political and spiritual paths.
According to most Israeli Jews, there is an established connection between Jews throughout Israel and the United States. This opinion is nearly universal among several demographic and theological groups. 87% of Israeli Jews firmly believe that all Jews are entitled to aliyah.
Additionally, the majority of Israeli Jews (79%) believe that Jews in Israel should be given preference. About seven out of ten Haredim (97%) and Datiim (96%) strongly agree with this viewpoint, making it particularly prevalent among these groups.
Although Hilonim are slightly less inclined to believe that Jews should be given preference in Israel, over seven out of ten (69%) of them share this opinion, while 29% disagree. The very low percentage of Jews on the political left who believe that Jews should be given preference in Israel (38%) makes them stand out.
Why do Jews say that Israel was given to them by God?
More observant Israeli Jews are more likely than their less devout counterparts to believe that God granted the Jewish people the land of Israel, partly because they are more inclined to believe in God. Almost all Datiim and Haredim believe that God gave the Jewish people Israel.
The overwhelming majority (85%) of Masortim also believe that God gave the Jewish people the country of Israel. This opinion is held by a much smaller percentage of secular Hilonim (31%), half of whom reject God. Nearly eight out of ten Sephardim/Mizrahim (78%) believe that God handed Israel to the Jews, but less than half of Ashkenazi Jews (46%) do the same.
Additionally, compared to Hebrew-speaking Jews (65%), those who speak Russian at home (30%) are far less likely to believe this, partly because a large majority of Russian-speaking Israeli Jews (54%) reject the existence of God. According to the survey, every Yiddish-speaking Jew thinks that God gave the Jewish people Israel.
Religious and cultural significance of Israel for Jews
Israel stands as an important sacred location for Jews because it bases its religious importance on a mix of traditional beliefs and historical roots. For Jewish people, Israel serves as a sacred homeland because the Torah identifies it as their promised historic territory.
Important biblical events at this location include Abraham’s journeys and Moses’ passage, and the establishment of ancient Jewish kingdoms, so it serves as an essential aspect of Jewish identity. The First and Second Temples, located in Jerusalem, make this place especially important because they functioned as the principal centers of Jewish worship.
The Israeli nation promotes the successful growth of Jewish customs and the Hebrew language with its foundation on Jewish beliefs. The Jewish sanctuary that provided refuge to persecuted Jews and acted as the center of self-determination strengthens the essential nature of Israel. Both religious fulfillment and historical heritage unite Israel as an essential element of universal Jewish life and Judaism.
Challenges and Controversies
Israel has experienced critical disagreements and hindrances throughout its existence due to intricate historical, political, and social realities since its founding years. The Arabs initiated war against Israel in 1948 as numerous countries dismissed the United Nations’ proposal to divide the region between Jewish and Arab states.
The Jewish leadership backed the plan, yet Arab leaders and neighboring countries strongly disapproved of it. The Palestinians obtained minimal ground during this war because Israel went beyond the United Nations’ designated boundaries, leading to enduring regional hostilities.
The problem worsened severely due to opposing versions of historical events between Palestinians and Israelis. Nakba is a name applied by Palestinians and their sympathizers to the events of 1948 as a description of the founding of Israel as colonialism and ethnic cleansing. Mutual suspicion, alongside political controversies and violence, prevented the two-state solution and the Oslo Accords from succeeding as attempts towards peace.
Previous conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians, together with territorial disagreements and differing visions for the future, help maintain the ongoing nature of their conflict. The present-day discourse about Israel’s identity and security status, together with Palestinian human rights, continues to face opposition from historical controversies.
Modern relevance of Israel
The present condition of Israel creates serious moral, legal, and humanitarian difficulties, especially as the Gaza conflict continues. The ongoing Gaza military operation indicates that Israel has built a “hell on earth,” while the impact on innocent civilian casualties, lack of supplies, and destruction in Gaza is huge. As a result of these Israeli airstrikes since March 2024, thousands of Palestinian civilians, women, and children have died. The blockade Israel has administered on civilians has restricted humanitarian aid to vulnerable Palestinian civilians.
International organizations throughout the world, especially Amnesty International, have condemned these behaviors of Israel, including accusations of war crimes and genocide in violation of international law. Electronic home invasion attacks that aim to drive Palestinian people into destruction contradict Israeli claims that their operations are defensive or follow legal procedures.
Israel suffered critical international image damage during the Gaza conflict, which led to global pressure for accountability and ceasefire demands. Great human suffering results from this conflict, and it continues to worsen global instability and regional political division. According to critics, Israel’s military policies breach international law by putting civilian casualties first before achieving political objectives, which disregard humanitarian needs.
Gaza remains unlivable because of the prolonged blockade and the ongoing aerial attacks, which threaten human life while creating endless cycles of despair and violence. Such a situation challenges the notion that Israel plays a positive current role because it demonstrates the immediate necessity for a peaceful solution that follows international laws and protects human rights.
So, the establishment of Israel receives support from Jews primarily because of their sacred cultural heritage in this land and because they seek refuge from enduring persecution. Jewish ancestry comes from a biblical pledge in the Torah, and the site includes ancient Jewish kingdoms that established Jerusalem as a vital religious center for Jewish identity and faith.
