Why are Israelis much more patriotic compared to the West? | Opinion

An opinion piece arguing that Israelis are far more patriotic than Western citizens, citing Gallup International data on the decline in willingness to fight in the West compared to 71% of Israelis ready to risk their lives for their country. The author attributes the weakening of patriotism in the West to the rise of woke culture in academia.

In this opinion piece, Prof. Moshe Cohen-Eliya argues that Israelis are far more patriotic than citizens of Western countries, citing Gallup International data showing that willingness to fight for one's country dropped from 61% in 2014 to 52% in 2023, and stands at only 32% in the EU, 41% in the US, and 23% in Germany. In contrast, according to the May 2024 Security Index, 71% of Israelis are willing to risk their lives for their country (77% among Jews, 60% on the left). The article attributes the weakening of patriotism in the West to the rise of woke culture in academia and elite institutions, claiming it teaches anti-patriotism and is funded by Qatar and China. It notes that Israel continues to have children (fertility rate 2.8 vs. 1.46 in the OECD) and is willing to fight for their future, and that this very willingness makes it hated in the world. The column concludes by saying it is better to be hated and strong than to be pitied in a third exile.