For decades, American Jewish organizations and institutions gave almost automatic support to the policies of various Israeli governments. Doubts were expected to remain unspoken, and criticism was nearly enough to expel its speaker from the community. But this “blank check” did not help Israel become a better place; on the contrary, it did the opposite.

The assumption was that we must help Israel improve its image to counter antisemites and Israel-haters. As an Israeli diplomat, I was part of that effort, presenting Israel in a positive way, until I understood that these efforts were shielding Israeli governments from self-examination and improvement. There are indeed antisemites and anti-Zionists around the world, but right-wing Israeli governments have only increased support for their antisemitic ideas by ignoring Israel’s own moral failures. It is those who insist on winning the “blame game” against the Palestinians, rather than solving the conflict, who are destroying Israel’s reputation on the world stage.

Yes, we focus on our need to improve rather than on our enemies. We do so because we are Israelis, Zionists, and Jews who feel responsible for ensuring the state lives up to its founding ideals. It is too simple and justified to condemn Hamas for its atrocities, but it is also necessary to acknowledge that Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government are only further empowering them.

In recent decades, and ever........

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