"Jews need a homeland to be safe from antisemitism."

Argument

Supporters argue that Jews need a homeland to be safe from antisemitism, pointing to rising violence and threats in the diaspora. They assert that Israel provides refuge, legal protection, and communal security that cannot be guaranteed elsewhere.

Counterpoint

While Israel offers a sovereign refuge, it is not immune to conflict. Israeli Jews face mandatory military conscription, rocket fire, and periodic wars—risks uncommon in many diaspora communities in peaceful countries.

Recent studies and surveys, such as Pew 2016 data, show that most Israeli Jews value both Israel and a thriving diaspora. Many diaspora communities report non-lethal antisemitic incidents like harassment or vandalism, but fewer face direct physical harm compared to Israelis under fire. The claim that only Israel can ensure Jewish safety fundamentally erases agency and resilience of diaspora Jews in host societies.

Spin

  • Fear securitization: Portrays Israel as the only safe option to justify immigration and suppress critique.
  • Binary framing: Presents Jewish safety as a choice between living under bombardment or remaining vulnerable abroad.
  • Agency erasure: Ignores the ability of diaspora communities to address antisemitism through legal and social means.
  • Homeland imperative: Turns global threats into a narrative that only Israel can manage Jewish security.

Sources