Not to spread blatant propaganda, but I criticize Israel enough that during the month of Independence day I can be civil. Israel has defied all odds. Israel turned a desert and swamp into a thriving democracy, a leader in science and an economic hub in a region largely dominated by non-democratic regimes that suppress human rights and have not developed at nearly the same pace.
Granted, there have been problems. Some elements of Israeli policy have been criticized widely, such as the continued presence of Israelis in the West Bank even though the Palestinians generally want sovereignty.
But, the positives far outweigh the negatives and Israel has had a tremendously positive effect on the world. Read more about it in my post here. And watch this video with some impressive stats.
(h/t: mother)
