A Point of View: Even in tough times, there is much to be positive about

Times have been tough for Israel. There has been the heinous terrorist attack at Mercaz HaRav; the rocket bombardment from Gaza; the appalling bias against Israel from the UN Human Rights Council; the prospect that the infamous Durban conference will have a second act; the continuing threat from Hizbullah; and above all, the growing menace from an approaching nuclear Iran, a menace which is not met with a sense of urgency by the international community.

There is no wishing away these many challenges. Israel and its leaders will have to rise to the occasion time and time again to meet these many threats. But the proverbial glass should be seen as half full rather than half empty.

Israel remains a strong country. Its economy is doing very well, primarily because of its leading role in the high-tech sector. Israeli democracy, with all its oft-reported failings, continues to be unique in a region where the rule of law and popular sovereignty are largely non-existent. Israel's military is regaining the luster that was somewhat tarnished in the war against Hezbollah through events in Syria and operations in Gaza. Clearly, the IDF has learned a lot from the summer of 2006.

And let's remember that the United States remains a staunch partner with Israel, demonstrating its support time and again. Even more important for the long run, the US Congress and the American people across the political spectrum overwhelmingly support Israel. If Presidential candidates "say the right things" about Israel, which they do, it is not merely to try to secure the Jewish vote, but a recognition of the will of the American public.

In this context, it's important to highlight the progress Israel has made in Europe. As I write, Shimon Peres, President of the Israel, is on state visit to France. Think back only five years ago when many Jews were talking about boycotting France ( a tactic ADL never supported) because of French refusal to acknowledge and act against the anti-Semitism that was gripping partso f the country and because of French policies toward Israel. Today, anti-Semitism hasn't gone away, but the government is part of the solution -- -through public statements and concrete actions -- not the problem.

Peres's visit shows how far things have come. It has been noted that this is the first state visit hosted by Nicolas Sarkozy since assuming the Presidency. The visual images across Paris of Israeli flags next to French flags are a powerful symbol. Also adding to the impact on the French public, is that Israel, on occasion of its 60th anniversary, is the special guest at the celebrated Paris International Book Fair. It is unfortunate that a number of Arab states have chosen to boycott the  Book Fair because of Israel's central role ( it seems every time hopes arise that the Arabs have gotten beyond these antics, they reappear), but the important story is that Israel is the honored guest while the boycotters are on the outside looking in.
 
These events in Paris, not accidentally, come at a moment when,  for the first time in recent memory, the political leaders of the three most important West European countries, Sarkozy, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom,  are all good friends of Israel (as well as of the United States).
 
None of which is to suggest that the problems we have delineated are being sufficiently addressed by Israel's friends. Surely, not enough is being done by Europe to break off economic ties with Iran (though to his credit, Sarkozy has called for stronger European sanctions). It continues to be an uphill struggle to find ways to overcome the disastrous impact of America's National Intelligence Estimate on Iran's nuclear program., which had the effect of reinforcing international complacency at exactly the time when injecting a sense of urgency should have been the priority. The voices against Hamas’ terrorism and supporting Israel's right to self-defense need to be clearer.
 
Still, Israel has much going for it, including significant friends beyond the US These friendships and relationships should be acknowledged and cultivated, particularly at this difficult time for the Jewish State.