Recognition Fuels Israel Advocacy

July 2016 marked a moment I will never forget. It was nearly two years after I had started my Pro Israel advocacy with Time To Stand Up For Israel. I was still finding my way, still discovering how much resistance there could be, and how lonely this path sometimes felt. Then a follower and friend, Jack Klaber, sent me a message. He told me he had a surprise.

The moment I landed at Ben Gurion Airport and arrived at my vacation address, his message came through. He had introduced me to several members of the Knesset and told them about the work I was doing for Israel through the NGO. Most of them ignored him. That, in itself, already says a lot. But one ministry did not. At the Ministry of Justice, I was welcome. Ayelet Shaked, then Minister of Justice, agreed to meet me in Jerusalem at the Knesset.

I am a shy person. I do not like to stand in the front row. I prefer to work quietly, behind the scenes, doing what needs to be done without attention. But I must say this clearly. That moment was an honor. More than that, it was recognition. Recognition of effort, of dedication, of standing up when it is not popular.

I received a letter that still hangs in my living room. I was given a book. I spoke briefly with Ayelet Shaked. These may seem like small gestures in the political world, but their impact was anything but small. The true importance was not in the meeting itself. It was in what it gave me internally.

Knowing that you are appreciated matters. It matters more than funding, more than visibility, more than status. In the many disappointments that came after, and there were many, I held on to one simple truth. Israel appreciated what I did. That knowledge carried me through moments where giving up would have been the easier option. Because when you know you make a difference, even in a small way, you find the strength to continue.

From 2014 until 2023, I was often one of the few voices speaking up for Israel, especially on platforms where it was not welcomed. I heard it all. This is not Facebook. This is a business platform. Keep politics out of it. The message was clear. Stay silent.

Then came October 7th. Suddenly everything changed. Many influencers found their voice. Even those who once dismissed advocacy began to speak up, including on LinkedIn. On the surface, this is a positive development. More voices should mean more support.

But reality is more complicated.

Like in the Jewish faith, advocacy should come from the heart or not at all. What I witnessed instead was the rise of an advocacy market. Large influencers stepping in, not out of conviction, but for financial gain. Significant amounts of money were involved. Cooperation was often refused. Grassroots organizations like Time To Stand Up For Israel were overlooked.

This is not about wanting attention. Israel should be in the spotlight, not me. But recognition matters. When those who dedicate years of unpaid, consistent effort are ignored, while paid voices dominate the space, something essential is lost.

It creates distance. It weakens unity. It discourages the very people who have proven their commitment over time.

In recent years, I have felt this shift personally. Letters I sent to the Office of the President, to the Prime Minister’s office, to individual Knesset members have gone unanswered. Even a letter to Ayelet Shaked received no response. The contrast with that moment in 2016 could not be greater.

This lack of recognition has brought me close to stopping more than once. And I am not alone in this. Many who advocate for Israel without compensation, driven purely by conviction, face the same silence. Not everyone is stubborn enough to continue regardless.

I am. Giving up is not in my vocabulary. But others will walk away. And when they do, Israel loses something far more valuable than a single voice. It loses part of a global network of people willing to stand up, speak out, and defend her when it is not easy.

Recognition does not require grand gestures. It does not require money. A simple reply to a message. Keeping a promise. Acknowledging effort. These small acts create loyalty, motivation, and strength.

Israel needs a strong, united network of advocates across the world. That network cannot be built on transactions alone. It must be built on trust, appreciation, and connection.

Ignoring those who stand with you weakens that foundation. Recognizing them strengthens it.

If Israel wants more effective advocacy, more voices willing to stand firm in difficult times, then the answer is simple. See the people who are already there. Acknowledge them. Support them.

Because in the end, recognition is not just a courtesy. It is a force multiplier.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)