Israel: The scales are falling off

The author draws a parallel between a personal experience of disillusionment with his father and his evolving feelings about Israel. He recounts a childhood marked by deep religious devotion, where Israel was presented as a divinely chosen nation and its people as God's chosen. This early indoctrination fostered a strong, almost romantic, connection to the Jewish state, viewing its creation and subsequent military successes, particularly the 1967 Six-Day War, as miraculous fulfillments of biblical prophecy.

This initial admiration was deeply ingrained, encouraged by his religious upbringing and reinforced by biblical narratives that positioned Israel at the center of God's plan. The author felt a sense of pride in Israel's achievements, seeing its establishment as a just outcome, especially in light of historical persecutions like those in Germany. He identified with the biblical accounts of God's protection over the Israelites, viewing Israel's military victories as divine interventions.

However, this unwavering support began to change, mirroring the experience of a young woman whose idealized image of her father shattered when he left her family. Like the daughter who gained a more critical understanding of her father's actions, the author's "emotional scales" began to fall off regarding Israel. The realization that his father could so "remorselessly" break up a family led to a shift from starry-eyed adoration to a more cautious and analytical perspective.

This personal transformation serves as a lens through which the author now views Israel. The "once cozy family" being broken apart by the father's actions is likened to the author's own dawning awareness of complexities and perhaps troubling aspects of Israel's history and actions. The "careful, wary lady" who replaced the "starry eyed young girl" reflects the author's current, more critical stance, suggesting that his previous unreserved support for Israel has given way to a more nuanced and questioning outlook.