When people think of Israelis, many mistakenly confuse them with the broader Jewish identity. While Israel is indeed the homeland of the Jewish people, Israelis have evolved into something unique: a vibrant, liberal, democratic society that combines ancient traditions with modern resilience. They are not defined only by religion but by a national culture forged through survival, innovation, and an enduring desire for peace. Let’s be blunt: Israelis are not who the world often paints them to be. They are not caricatures from propaganda campaigns, they are not evil people who seek power over others, and they’re not simply “Jews in the Middle East.” Israelis are something unique – loud, passionate, fiercely loyal people forged through history, war, and survival. They live in one of the toughest neighborhoods on Earth, surrounded by enemies who wish to destroy them, yet they thrive, innovate, and keep pushing forward with optimism and hope for peace with its neighbors.

A People Forged by History

Israel’s character was shaped by a history unlike any other. Out of the ashes of exile, persecution, pogroms, and ultimately the Holocaust, the Jewish people built a modern state in 1948. Israel was built by people who refused to stay victims. Over decades, waves of immigrants from every corner of the world—Europe, Middle East, North Africa, America, Russia and Ethiopia—molded Israel into a cultural melting pot that shaped the modern Israeli identity. They didn’t just create another Jewish community – this diversity gave birth to a new type of people—Israelis: Tough, resourceful, practical, outspoken, argumentative, but also warm, generous and bursting with life, fiercely loyal to their country, and above all – determined to live freely in their ancestral homeland.

Modern Israelis come from a mix of migration waves across history. The Jewish people trace their origins to the Land of Israel (biblical Israel/Judea), thousands of years ago. After the Roman destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE and the Bar Kokhba revolt (135 CE), most Jews were dispersed across the Roman Empire and beyond — beginning the long Jewish diaspora. Some Jewish communities never left and remained in places like Jerusalem, Tiberias, Safed and Hebron throughout the centuries, meaning there was always Jewish presence on the land of Israel.

From the late Middle Ages, groups of Jews returned over centuries from Spain, North Africa, Yemen, and Eastern Europe, often for religious reasons. From the late 19th century, large “Aliyah” immigration waves brought Jews back to the land, from Russia, Poland, Romania, Yemen and elsewhere, fleeing pogroms and persecution, and seeking to rebuild a homeland. In the 1930’s there was a massive wave of German, Austrian, and Central European Jews fleeing Nazism. After Israel’s independence in 1948, Jews arrived from Holocaust-survivor communities in Europe, and nearly 850,000 Jews were expelled or fled from Arab and Muslim countries (Iraq, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Syria, Libya, etc.), followed later by Jews from the Soviet Union (1970s–1990s), Ethiopia (1980s–1990s via rescue operations), and continuing immigration from the US, France, South America, South Africa and elsewhere. Effectively, modern Israelis come from everywhere: Europe (Ashkenazi Jews), Middle East & North Africa (Mizrahi and Sephardi Jews), Ethiopia, Yemen, the Americas, Russia/Ukraine and beyond — living today alongside Arab Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Bedouins who became part of Israel’s diverse society.

A Liberal Democracy in a Hostile Neighborhood

While dictatorships and monarchies dominate the Middle East, Israel stands out as a messy, vibrant democracy where everyone has a voice—and they use it. Israelis will argue about anything: politics, religion, sports, traffic, even the best hummus. But when push comes to shove, they put their differences aside to defend their country. That’s not optional. From its first day Israel has been attacked, boycotted and delegitimized. The Arab world slammed the door shut for decades—no trade, no flights, no diplomacy. Many in the wider world joined the boycott too. Imagine being punished simply for existing—yet still managing to thrive. That’s Israel. What makes Israel remarkable is its survival as a thriving democracy in one of the toughest regions on Earth. Israelis vote, protest, and argue—loudly—about everything. They don’t shy away from debate, because disagreement is built into the DNA of their society. Yet despite internal divisions, when faced with external threats—from hostile states, terrorists, or calls for their destruction—Israelis unite around one simple truth: this is their home and they will defend it.

Israel is widely considered the only full democracy in the Middle East. It has regular free elections, multiple political parties, an independent judiciary, a free press, and protections for minority rights under law. Arab citizens of Israel (about 20% of the population) can vote, run businesses, run for office, serve in parliament (the Knesset) and the High Court, and serve in the military. While there are shades of partial freedoms elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel stands out as the region’s only liberal, functioning democracy where government power changes hands peacefully through elections.

Freedom of Religious

Although Israel was founded as the world’s only Jewish state, it has enshrined freedom of religion as a core principle of its democracy. Within its borders, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, Baha’is, and others not only practice their faith freely but also maintain their own holy sites. Arab Muslims make up around 20% of Israel’s population, and alongside Christian and Druze communities, they all live in harmony as equal citizens. In Jerusalem, the holiest city for three major religions, the call to prayer from mosques rises alongside church bells and Jewish prayers at the Western Wall, reflecting the coexistence that is often ignored by critics. Despite being born out of a history of persecution, Israel chose a path of pluralism—allowing diverse faiths to thrive in a region too often defined by religious conflict. This is in complete contrast to claims of Israel being an Apartheid state. Whoever claims it is welcome to visit Israel and see for themselves.

Mandatory Service, Reluctant Warriors

Almost every young Israeli, men and women alike, serve in the military. This is not out of love for war but the unfortunate necessity. Surrounded by enemies who often openly declare their desire to wipe Israel off the map, Israelis have no luxury of complacency. Their military service is a rite of passage, building bonds that tie society together. Military service is mandatory for most Jewish citizens, with men typically serving about three years and women around two. Unlike in many countries, women in Israel not only serve in support roles but also in combat units, flying fighter jets, commanding tanks, and serving on the front lines. This reflects both the constant security challenges Israel faces and a national ethos that defense is a shared responsibility. While debates continue about exemptions and gender equality in service, the prominent role of women in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remains a defining feature of Israeli society and a source of national pride.

Yet paradoxically, these reluctant warriors cherish life above all else. Ask an Israeli what they want most, and you’ll likely hear: “to raise our kids in peace, to build our lives, and to be left alone.” Unlike most Western countries, Israelis don’t have the luxury of optional defense. Man and woman serve in the army, not because they’re war-hungry—far from it—but because they live in a reality where Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and countless terror groups openly declare their goal: Israel’s destruction. Israelis rather be on the beach in Tel Aviv or building startups in Haifa. But they know that if they don’t fight back, they don’t survive. Their ultimate goal is to deter all those enemies and achieve peace, once and for all, so their children will not have to keep fighting the same wars over and over again.

Internal Divisions among Israeli Jews

One of Israel’s deepest internal struggles lies not between Jews and Arabs, but among Jews themselves—particularly between the secular majority and the ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) community. While most Jewish Israeli men and women are required to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), tens of thousands of Haredi men avoid service by remaining in religious seminaries under a decades-old arrangement. Secular Israelis often resent the fact that most Haredim are exempt from mandatory military service, a burden that falls heavily on their own children, while government funds still heavily subsidize ultra-Orthodox yeshivas (traditional Jewish institutions) and large families.

The education system is another battleground: secular Israelis push for maths, science and English to prepare children for the modern economy, while many Orthodox schools focus almost exclusively on religious studies, leaving graduates underprepared for the workforce but still reliant on state support. Politically, Haredi parties wield disproportionate influence in coalition governments, securing budgets and exemptions that secular Israelis see as unfair. This ongoing rift reflects a larger question at the heart of Israeli society: should Israel be first and foremost a modern democratic state for all Jews, or a religious state guided by traditional Torah values?

Critics argue this creates an unfair burden on the broader population, as secular and traditional Israelis carry the weight of national defense while also paying higher taxes to subsidize Orthodox communities that often rely heavily on state funding. Supporters of the exemption insist that Torah study is itself a form of national service, preserving Jewish identity and values. This divide fuels deep resentment, shapes political coalitions, and regularly sparks street protests, making the draft debate a flashpoint in Israel’s struggle between religion and state.

A Culture of Life, Peace and Helping Others

Israelis want peace more than anything else, but not at the price of their own survival. They dream of having good neighbors, trading with the countries around them, and creating a better future together. Beneath the toughness, Israelis are warm people. They volunteer in droves, and not only for their own. When earthquakes, floods, or fires strike anywhere in the world, Israelis are often among the first to send rescue teams and medical aid. Israel has built a global reputation for its rapid and skilled rescue operations following natural disasters abroad. From dispatching search-and-rescue teams to earthquake zones, to setting up field hospitals after tsunamis and hurricanes, Israeli aid units are often among the first to arrive on the ground.

These missions showcase Israel’s advanced medical expertise, innovative technology, and commitment to humanitarianism, offering life-saving assistance to countries regardless of politics or religion. Despite being targeted, boycotted, and demonized, Israelis consistently show the world who they really are. When disaster strikes, Israelis are there. After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Israeli doctors set up one of the fastest and most advanced field hospitals, saving lives while other nations were still organizing. In Nepal (2015), in Turkey (2023), in countless African nations, Israelis have flown in with search-and-rescue teams, medical aid, and expertise. They help strangers thousands of miles away—while many of their own neighbors refuse to even recognize their existence.

No-Nonsense, In-Your-Face Authenticity

Part of what defines Israeli culture is their raw honesty. Israelis can seem blunt and rude to outsiders. They’ll cut through small talk and get straight to the point, often with a directness that may feel shocking to others. But behind that is a culture that values authenticity and human connection over politeness for its own sake – what you see is what you get. Israelis are honest, though it can come off as rude or abrasive. They’ll cut through the politeness and say exactly what they think—sometimes with shocking honesty. But that’s part of the charm. They value truth over niceties, authenticity over pretension. It’s a no-bullshit culture in a no-bullshit region.

Another way to describe the Israeli character is by the term “Sabra” (often spelled Tzabar in Hebrew). It refers to Jews born in Israel, symbolized by the prickly pear cactus that is tough and thorny on the outside but soft and sweet inside. The image captures how native-born Israelis are often perceived—direct, resilient and in-your-face, yet warm, generous and loyal at heart. Emerging as a cultural identity during the early 20th century, the Sabra represented the “new Jew,” rooted in the land, physically strong, and unafraid to defend themselves. Today, the Sabra remains a powerful national symbol, embodying both pride in Israel’s independence and the complex personality of its people.

Values Life more than Anything

Israelis place a profound value on life, shaped by Jewish tradition, the trauma of the Holocaust, and the reality of living under constant threat. This belief is reflected in the national ethos of “Pikuach Nefesh”—the principle that saving a life overrides almost any other commandment. It shows in the streets when tens of thousands of Israelis protest and demand government action to bring hostages back home, prioritizing every individual as if they were their own family. Soldiers risk their lives in daring rescue missions, often putting enormous effort into minimizing civilian casualties, even when fighting ruthless enemies. Unfortunately, Israel’s adversaries in the form of barbaric terrorist organizations like Hamas, Islamic Jihad and many others, have learned to exploit this moral code: terrorist groups deliberately hide behind their own civilians, use them as human shields, and kidnap innocent Israelis – soldiers and civilians alike – knowing that Israel’s deep commitment to protecting life creates painful dilemmas and pressures that they can manipulate on the battlefield and in global public opinion.

When Islamic terrorist organizations prioritize taking Israeli hostages, it creates a devastating chain of consequences. On a national level, it plunges Israeli society into anguish, as each captive becomes a symbol of the country’s vulnerability and the collective responsibility to protect its people. Hostage-taking also gives these groups powerful leverage, allowing them to pressure Israel into difficult concessions—such as prisoner swaps, ceasefires, or political gains—that they could not achieve militarily. At the same time, it fuels internal debate within Israel about how far the state should go to save lives without endangering its long-term security. The October 7 war, where more than 250 innocent people – including the elderly, men, women, children and a baby – were kidnapped from their homes and from a music festival, is the biggest hostage crisis any civilized country had ever experienced. Internationally, hostage crises often shift the narrative, casting Israel as both victim and villain under impossible moral constraints. Ultimately, by exploiting Israel’s deep commitment to human life, terrorist groups weaponize compassion itself, turning hostages into bargaining chips that sustain cycles of violence and instability in the region.

What Do Israelis Really Want?

At the core, Israelis are like anyone else in the civilized world – they love their children more than anything else, their culture and their country – seeking a better future. The difference is, they had to fight harder than most countries just to secure the basic right to exist, yet still fight for their legitimacy in the wake of hatred and vicious propaganda. They dream about peace, safety, security and the freedom to live without constant threats. They want their kids to grow up with hope, not fear. They want to be left alone to thrive. And the proof is in the way they live: in their tech startups, their music, their art, their beaches, and their stubborn optimism.

Strip away the propaganda, the boycotts, the hatred, the politics, the headlines and the noise, and you see a simple truth: Israelis want to simply live their lives. They want to build families, raise children, build their careers, travel the world like anyone else, enjoy the beach, argue about soccer and politics, innovate in technology, help others and thrive as a free people in their own land. They constantly seek peace, stability and mutual respect from their neighbors. Yet, the critics never seem to get one major point: Israelis don’t wake up in the morning wanting conflict. It’s the complete opposite: Israelis want peace and are always willing to give up land or make compensations in return for real and honest peace and security. The problem is, decades of rejection, terrorism and delegitimization mean they’ve been forced to defend themselves continuously. If there’s one thing history shows, is that Israelis never give up—not on their country, not on a chance for peace and not on commemorating life above everything else.

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