Israel’s Enduring Song: A Lifelong Melody of Survival and Hope

“For without victory, there is no survival.” – Winston Churchill, House of Commons (May 13, 1940)

I was born less than two years after the establishment of Israel in 1948. While we weren’t classmates, our lives unfolded in parallel, each marked by a shared struggle for existence. Israeli songs formed the soundtrack of my youth – sung in school, camp, and synagogue, and hummed at home. Israel and I both emerged from challenging circumstances, requiring resilience and determination to thrive.

A Shared Beginning: Battling for Survival

Every infant’s first challenge is survival. In 1897, when the concept of a Jewish state was first conceived, 43% of Jewish babies died before reaching the age of five. Both the United States and Israel faced existential battles at their inception. Had the American Revolution failed, the Declaration of Independence would be a forgotten historical footnote, akin to the rejected Olive Branch Petition. Had Israel succumbed to its adversaries, the dream of a Jewish homeland might have faded into a wistful lyric: “Ask every person if he’s heard the story. And tell it strong and clear without fail. That once there was a fleeting wisp of glory, called Israel.”

Fortunately, both nations prevailed. The Jewish people, instead of lamenting a lost dream, celebrated with “The Song of Friendship,” honoring those who sacrificed for a Jewish state.

Wars and Resilience: A Recurring Theme

Eight years after Israel’s founding, in 1956, both Israel and I were still young when the nation faced another war. Egypt blockaded the Suez Canal and Straits of Tiran, attempting to strangle Israel economically. Israel responded by capturing the Sinai Peninsula to reopen its lifeline and Gaza to counter terrorist attacks. However, pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union forced Israel to relinquish both territories.

Bob Dylan captured the sentiment in his song “The Neighborhood Bully,” questioning the international response: “He just lives to survive… Criticized and condemned for being alive… He’s not supposed to fight back…”

In 1967, as teenagers, Israel and I witnessed another critical moment. Surrounded by hostile Arab nations threatening annihilation, Israel achieved a decisive victory in the Six-Day War. Post-war, the song “Tomorrow” expressed a longing for peace: “Tomorrow, the army will capture its uniform off… Tomorrow, we will use our worships to transport oranges instead.”

Six years later, in 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, Israel, now nearing adulthood, faced a surprise attack from Egypt and Syria. Despite initial setbacks, Israel counterattacked and emerged victorious. The song “The Last War” optimistically promised: “I pledge to you, my young daughter, this will be our last war.” (A promise that, unfortunately, proved untrue.)

A Pattern of International Pressure and Existential Threat

These four conflicts over a quarter-century shared two common threads. First, international calls for ceasefires intensified when Israel gained the upper hand. Second, and more importantly, defeat meant the potential obliteration of Israel. Arab nations explicitly stated their intention to destroy the country. During the 1967 war, citizens desperately collected funds for Israel, fearing its imminent demise. Prime Minister Golda Meir acknowledged in 1973: “If we don’t win, all (Israel) is lost.”

From Conflict to Peace: A Gradual Shift

Thankfully, the world eventually responded to Israel’s pursuit of peace. Israel achieved peace treaties with Egypt in 1979, Jordan in 1994, the PLO in 1995, and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco in 2020. In the 1960s and 70s, an Israeli stamp in my passport barred entry to Arab countries and even Russia. Post-peace agreements, Dubai became a popular destination for Israeli tourists, with readily available kosher food and synagogues.

The song “I Was Born for Peace” echoed this sentiment: “I was born to peace. Let it come!” mirroring the ancient prayer “Oseh Shalom,” meaning “Make peace!”

The Enduring Challenge of Security

Despite these peace treaties, Israel continues to face threats from those who seek its destruction, particularly from groups like Hezbollah and through conflicts in Gaza, often supported by Iran. In 2026, Israel entered a war with Iran. This conflict coincided with Purim, commemorating the Jewish triumph over persecution in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran), celebrated in the song “Chag Purim.” Some have drawn parallels between the biblical Esther, who saved her people, and Ivanka Trump, who advocated for Israel within the U.S. Government.

As long as antisemitism persists, Israel will necessitate to defend itself. That is why its military is named the IDF – the Israeli Defense Force.

A Future Secured

The critical shift is that Israel’s existence is no longer in peril. Investing in Israeli bonds, once a leap of faith, is now a prudent financial decision with a proven track record of repayment.

I was born alongside Israel, and Israel will outlive me. My grandparents did not live to see the realization of the Jewish homeland they dreamed of. But within my lifetime, Israel has transformed from a distant hope into a vibrant reality. My grandchildren, and their descendants, will continue to sing the most enduring song of all: “Ahm Yisroel Chai” – the nation of Israel lives!