</image> <image source="map"></image> <label>Type</label> <label>Level</label> <label>Location</label> <label>Inhabitants</label> </infobox>The State of Israel is a liberal, capitalist state located in Western Asia, bordering the other states of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It also the only state that is built on the principles of Zionism (well, there is one interesting region of Russia), an ideology that desires the return of a Jewish state in the Levant to build a Jewish homeland. Support for Israel is an extremely divisive issue which is prone to provoke arguments in most people. Supporters view it as a bastion of liberal democracy, gender equality, scientific progress, secularism and economic equality in a region where those factors are sorely lacking. Critics argue it a racist and colonialist project responsible for untold amounts of suffering against Arabs and Palestinians,
The Good
- In the area it is in, Israel is the most progressive and liberal democratic country. It does have a degree of multi-culturalism, a welfare state, LGBT protections and women's rights that are far stronger than its neighbours.
- Israel has assassinated a number of Nazis and protected Jews from antisemitic attacks across the world. As anti-fascists and anti-antisemites, we can appreciate this. Israel has taken Jewish refugees from across Asia and Africa to protect them from persecution.
The Bad
Main Article: Criticism of Israel
- Israel is a liberal, capitalist state, things which are opposed by libertarian socialists.
- Israel is a massive participant in the global arms/guns trade, being the greatest per capita producing of arms per capita.
- Israel engages in unambigous oppression and apartheid against people in the Palestinian territories.
- Israel has repeatedly engaged in war crimes and committed massacres against civilian populations.
- Israel has engaged in around 200 extrajudicial assassinations across 30 countries.
- Israel has a hidden stash of nuclear weapons and engaged in some pretty messed up tactics against the major whistleblower of the case - Mordechai Vanunu. There's also allegations of secret nuclear tests in the Southern Ocean.
Bad Criticism of Israel
See Also: Jewish Conspiracy Theories
Any attempt to criticise Israel which does the following should be considered "bad faith" criticism of Israel:
- Any effort to associate all Jews with Israel or the concept of being Jewish. Numerous Jews inside and outside of Israel are critical of the country.
- Any effort to associate all flavours of Zionism with Israel. There are forms of Zionism which did not call for the current levels of violence seen in Israel today.
- Any effort to imply Israel controls the world or even other countries. Not only are multiple countries outwardly anti-Israel but even close allies like the USA have opposed Israeli interests before. Notably in 1956 and 1996.