Among nations globally—and especially in the Middle East—the world loves a winner. That’s why, despite a worldwide explosion of antisemitism and anti-Zionism, Israel (and its supporters) can take comfort and pride. In the face of unprecedented attacks against the Jewish state—on the ground, as well as in the press, on campus, in the UN and in Congress—Israel continues to thrive spectacularly.

For starters, as a result of four jihadi neighbors simultaneously attacking Israel two years ago, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) turned the Jewish state into a regional superpower, as it crushed its enemies and dramatically shifted the balance of power in the Middle East.

In addition, in these last two years, Israel has accomplished remarkable milestones in the fields of startup creation and technology. Its economy also continues to prosper, with a booming stock market and skyrocketing investment.

Even after Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iran launched thousands of missile strikes on Israeli civilian centers over the last two years—regularly driving millions into bomb shelters—Israelis still rank among the top ten “happiest people” on Earth, outranking most Western countries, including the United States.

Not only do Israelis themselves enjoy the success of winning, but supporters of Israel in the U.S. and abroad may also derive satisfaction and inspiration from the Jewish state’s continuing triumph. We Americans, especially, share Israel’s values and competence—innovation, resilience, spiritual strength and superior performance.

The IDF laid waste to Israel’s enemies, creating greater security in the Middle East. The IDF inflicted devastating blows on Israel’s enemies in the region, destroying most of Hamas’s and Hezbollah’s military infrastructure and eliminating nearly the entire leadership of the two terrorist groups. It devastated the “ring of fire” Iran had created to encircle Israel—and the Islamic Republic’s top governing, military and nuclear chiefs were all but annihilated.

In addition, with the help of the U.S., the Israeli military caused heavy damage to Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities. In short, the IDF’s actions over the last two years have swung the regional balance of power to Israel and the West. Iran proved to be a paper tiger, and Israel emerged as the region’s superpower by proving it had the power to strike—and defeat—its enemies anywhere in the region.

Even during a debilitating two-year war, Israel continued its world-class achievements. Since 2023, Israel became one of the world’s top three innovation hubs for artificial intelligence, rivaled only by the U.S. and China in terms of talent, start-ups and integration with global AI leaders. The Jewish state also made the list of top 10 countries for unicorns (private startup companies worth a billion dollars or more), ranking 6^th in the number of unicorns worldwide and first in unicorn creation per capita. Furthermore, Israel developed the first fully autonomous medical drone network in the world, used for blood, medicine, and defibrillator transport nationwide. These achievements occurred even as Israel’s reputation was being battered by falsehoods condemning its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Israel’s key financial indicators reveal a global economic powerhouse. The most visible marker of Israel’s strength has been the extraordinary performance of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) during the two-year war. Its benchmark TA-125 index rose roughly 81% between October 2023 and October 2025, outpacing major international indices such as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite, which gained around 56% and 71%, respectively, during the same period. Indeed, the TASE has emerged from two years of war to become the best performing major stock market in the world.

Foreign investment has also grown sharply, particularly in Israel’s high-technology sector. In the first half of 2025, Israeli startups raised approximately $9.3 billion across 365 funding rounds, an increase of 54% compared with the second half of 2024. International investors contributed nearly 70% of these rounds, underlining sustained global interest in the Israeli market despite the ongoing security situation.

Tiny Israel ranks 31 among 190 countries for highest GDP per capita, ahead of Japan, South Korea, and Russia. It spends 6.3% of its GDP on R&D, the highest percentage in the world. In addition, Israel has the 20^th highest life expectancy in the world, at 82.7 years. For comparison, the U.S. is 46^th in the world at 79.5 years.

Despite two years of terror attacks from six jihadi forces, Israel is the 8^th happiest country on Earth. In fact, the Jewish state outranks most Western countries in the World Happiness Report, including the U.S., UK, Canada and France. Israel’s happiness can also be attributed to a strong sense of purpose and identity.

Indeed, the Jewish state has a profound national narrative of survival, innovation, and Jewish continuity, which provides meaning in the face of adversity. After the October 7^th massacre, for example, thousands of Israelis mobilized to support evacuees, soldiers, and hostage families through meal deliveries, hospital visits, and community drives. Research shows that a strong sense of purpose is deeply correlated with happiness.

Supporters of Israel can be inspired by the Jewish state’s success. Ironically, despite Israel’s resilience and success over the last two years, the country, its citizens—and its supporters in the United States—have suffered unprecedented antisemitic abuse on streets worldwide, as well as in the media, academic institutions, national governing bodies, the UN, and cultural platforms. All the more reason to take pride in Israel’s triumphs in the face of adversity.

Israel exemplifies innovation, entrepreneurship, and bold experimentation—values that resonate with Americans, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Indeed, Americans admire stories of grit—determination and ultimate success over obstacles. Israel’s story—surviving wars, terror, boycotts, and isolation while continuing to thrive—reflects just that toughness, improvisation, adaptability, and faith in the future.

Please make the point when speaking with family, friends, colleagues—or in letters to the editor—that Israel continues to rise heroically, spectacularly, above unrelenting lies and vilification, above unrelenting lies and vilification, emerging as what the Bible prophesied: A light unto the nations.  As supporters—and lovers—of Israel, we would do well to seize the lessons of these triumphs and apply them to our own fight to win today’s Information War against the Jewish state.

If you agree we need to spread this truth, please use your email browser to forward this Hotline issue to fellow lovers of Israel—and encourage them to join us by subscribing to the Hotline at no charge.

Best regards,
James Sinkinson, President
Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)

P.S.      Surely you’ve recently read of some celebrity, politician, radical student, foreign head of state or media pundit slander Israel with the “Gaza genocide” lie. Many who spread this lie are ignorant, but most are anti-Israel haters. They care nothing for the truth. The tragedy is, when they utter the Gaza genocide falsehood, too few knowledgeable people—and virtually no media—stand up to refute it. Indeed, when you share the simple facts, the genocide lie crumbles. Upon learning that Israel conducts its war against Hamas terrorists with the highest ethical standards—and that nothing Israel does in Gaza fits the definition of genocide—fair-minded people quickly see through the lie. I hope you’ll agree that we supporters of the Israel-U.S. relationship need to speak out. FLAME’s new hasbarah—explanatory message—“Facts Shatter Gaza Genocide Lies”—describes what genocide is and is not and proves factually that Israel’s tactics in the war are ethical and righteous. It also reveals demographic data showing that the Palestinian population in Gaza is actually increasing. Finally, it notes that those who spread the Gaza genocide lie fit the classic definition of antisemites. Please review this convincing, fact-based editorial, which FLAME is about to publish to millions—in leading social media, as well as in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Chicago Tribune, Tampa Bay Times, Denver Post and Los Angeles Times. This piece will also be sent to all members of Congress, the President and Vice President. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel’s behalf is critical, I urge you to support us with a donation.