By the Author / Source: abuaram.site
Despite my struggles as a Palestinian citizen living in the territories, and despite being affected by the discriminatory restrictions imposed by the Israeli state on Palestinian citizens, the reality is that I find no governing authority more suitable for this country than the State of Israel. I neither believe in nor belong to any Palestinian, Arab, or Islamic movement seeking to establish a state. While I do not necessarily accept the reality of Israel’s current policies, I know that in a lasting peace, there is something inherently good in choosing the sovereignty of the Israeli state over my entire homeland in the future.
I do not overlook the personal suffering of Palestinians under the present Israeli state; its current policies and laws directly affect me in my homeland, which compels me to reject the continuation of this status quo. I am dissatisfied with the current situation, yet I see no suitable alternative for the leadership of my country. I believe that the State of Israel could serve as a good and fair leadership for my entire homeland in the future—especially if the pragmatic pressures enforcing the current political and security reality are lifted.
Which is better for the leadership of my homeland: the Israeli state, the Arab Islamists, or the Palestinians across their various other factions? As an atheist with secular leanings who believes in civil equality within my state, I feel no sense of safety, alignment, or shared interest with these Palestinian factions. On the other hand, while it is true that the Israeli state is Jewish, I view Israel as capable of evolving and changing in ways that align with my vision and aspirations.
Although the State of Israel represents the establishment of a nation-state for the Jewish people and leans toward reinforcing Jewish identity, it has demonstrated flexibility toward a secular and civil state. It has shown a degree of fairness toward various minorities and groups within society—even within the ranks of its military, where it has called upon all segments of the population to join in achieving a unified national defense objective. In this regard, Israel appears open to diversity among its people, respectful of minorities, and invested in serving the general welfare of all its citizens without discrimination.
I do not wish to limit my perspective to angles of hatred and bigotry toward certain factions within this state, particularly regarding the presence of extremist Jewish elements who do not share my vision for its future. There are Jewish extremists whose radicalism surpasses that of certain Palestinian, Arab, or Islamic components in this envisioned state. Nevertheless, I fundamentally believe that the State of Israel is worthy of my land, and I expect its future to be promising as these flaws diminish over time.
Although the foundation of the Israeli state is linked to specific religious and historical roots of the Jewish people, the state has shown a positive shift away from this rigid framework. It has kept pace with progress and development while striving to reconcile and integrate its diverse groups. Driven by intelligent minds and proactive initiative, the state has emerged in a distinct light—moving away from a direct, exclusive binding to the original doctrine of the Jewish people.
I do not possess a profound understanding of the nature of the Jewish mind, but that mindset has manifested clearly to me in the modern State of Israel and what Jews have achieved through it. I see a young state; the stronger it appears in governing my homeland, the more robustly built it remains to this day, striving for prosperity and improvement while presenting a positive image overall—all against the backdrop of my intellect’s inability to accept the Palestinian factions in my homeland. Deep down, guided by reason, I feel that Israel is the dominant force in my homeland, and that it will remain sovereign in the future through an intricate, powerful, and profound strength that somehow fosters a sense of compatibility.
In conclusion, as an atheist aspiring toward a secular state that guarantees civil equality, I do not believe that Arab, Muslim Palestinians would accept me as the face of their future state. Such a Muslim rejects anything that does not align with their entrenched dogmas, and their insistence on a Palestinian state built upon Islamic and pan-Arab religious foundations is something I reject, as it offers no solution for the future of my homeland. That mindset has never shown any readiness for understanding or reconciling with difference, and such an environment would be unsuitable for me as an atheist, as well as for any other minority or group in this land.
Regarding my perspective on the Israeli Jew within their emerging state—despite the apparent paradox that might make me question the degree of my trust or alignment—they have nevertheless delivered a tangible achievement for their modern state regarding my goal. They represent a good and acceptable choice that can be trusted far more than the Palestinian, the Arab, or the Muslim. The Israeli entity appears suited for a better future based on the nature of its evolution. Therefore, the Israeli Jew is unequivocally the better choice for my homeland compared to the Palestinian Muslim, and I believe that this state-building process should be completed to encompass the entirety of the homeland.
