Independence Day, Tel Aviv, Israel. Apr. 26, 2023.
But tomorrow, we will focus again on the reality of 75, which is quite dire. I’ve been taken aback by some of the treacly fore- casts published in the last few days. They feel forced; curated to feed an insatiable appetite for a happy narrative in western culture. In recent days, Israel has been hosting tens of thousands of North Amer- ican Jews participating in 75th celebratory missions. They want “happy.” As does the mega-gathering of Jewish Federations of North America, also in town for this mo- ment. They came to celebrate. But, based on my private discussions with many of these visitors—some in very senior leadership positions—the Israel they are seeing is not quite what they expected, even if they have been following the news. I know. I was raised on the same Israel as them. The one that works for the Diaspora. And I live in the real Israel today. They are very different countries.
I write this in my living room in central Tel Aviv, where I have lived for almost seven years. For two-and-a-half years before that I served as Canada’s Ambassador to Israel. And for 52 years leading up to that tremendous honour, I spent most of my life in Toronto. I know both sides well; exile and redemption. Seventy-five years of statehood is being cele- brated here all day; primarily with disposable charcoal barbecues in parks and homes. In a few hours the air show will thunder overhead, stoking immense pride on beaches all along the Mediterranean coast.
Demonstrators light flares during a rally in Tel Aviv to protest the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul bill, as the country begins celebrations for its 75th anniversary, on Apr. 25, 2023.
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