Israel's Independence Day: Recognizing 5 modern-day 'good samaritans' who have shown unwavering support for Israel while facing criticism and adversity

As we celebrate Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, this year it's important to recognize not only the incredible Israelis who work tirelessly to promote and defend their nation, but also the unexpected allies who have stood with Israel during challenging times.

While Israel is deeply grateful for vocal Israelis who stand up for their country on the media front, and the steadfast support of discerning Evangelical leaders, this year we at ALL ISRAEL NEWS want to shine a light on five remarkable individuals who have shown unwavering support for Israel, even in the face of criticism and adversity.

First on our list is Douglas Murray, a British journalist and author who has consistently advocated for Israel's right to self-defense. In a video titled, "Israel is the only country not allowed to win wars," Murray argued that Israel faces unfair criticism and pressure from the international community whenever it defends itself against attacks by Hamas and other enemies. He has also been vocal in his criticism of the idea of proportionality in conflict, particularly when it comes to Israel's response to Hamas.

During an interview with Ynet, Murray stated: "All I've tried to do since the Hamas massacres of two weeks ago, is to tell the truth and to try to remind people in Britain and the wider West of who the aggressors are here." He expressed his amazement at the response from Jews in the diaspora and Israelis, but also his alarm, noting that any decent, non-Jewish observer should recognize and speak out about the realities of the conflict. Murray has been quoted saying, "They are obsessed with this idea of proportionality and conflict, but only when it comes to Israel responding to Hamas or to any other enemy of Israel. My own view is that, of course, proportionality and conflict is a total nonsense. It, as I've pointed out in several interviews, a proportionate response, in this case, would be Israel going and decapitating precisely the same number of babies that Hamas decapitated or going into Gaza, and abducting and raping precisely the same number of women that Hamas raped. Of course, Israel wouldn't do that, but the whole idea is that obscenity that you can only respond proportionately to such barbarism." Israel has honored Murray for his brave and principled stance.

Next, we have Mosab Hassan Yousef, a former Palestinian terrorist who made the courageous decision to defect to Israel in 1997. As the son of a Hamas leader, Yousef's journey to becoming a vocal critic of the terrorist organization is nothing short of extraordinary. In his book "Son of Hamas," he shares how he came to love the Jewish people and risk his life to protect them, offering a glimmer of hope for peace and understanding. Since the Oct. 7 massacre, Yousef continues to call on Israel to dismantle Hamas, recognizing the threat they pose to both Israelis and Palestinians. In a recent debate at UC Berkeley on April 19, Yousef passionately defended Israel's right to exist and criticized Hamas for its actions. He has also been a strong voice in the media, telling Piers Morgan in an interview that Israel should not give in to global pressure and has the right to defend itself. Yousef's powerful words, "Hamas does not care about the lives of Palestinians. [They don't] care about the lives of Israelis or Americans. They don't care about their own lives. They consider dying for the sake of their ideology a way of worship," revealing the depth of his conviction and the urgency of his message.

Bill Maher, an American comedian and political commentator, has also been a strong voice for Israel. He has fearlessly defended Israel's right to exist and criticized pro-Palestinian protesters in the United States who fail to acknowledge Israel's legitimate security concerns. "The State of Israel is here to stay," Maher declared, "and the Palestinians will need to get used to it." His unwavering support has been a source of encouragement for many Israelis.

From the entertainment world, we also recognize Australian actor Nathaniel Buzolic. With a significant social media following of 2.8 million on Instagram, Buzolic has used his platform to highlight Israel's vibrant culture and share its perspectives with a global audience. During a visit to Israel, he expressed his deep love for the Jewish people and his desire to send a powerful message of support. Buzolic's heartfelt connection to Israel has touched the lives of many.

Finally, we come to Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind SpaceX and Tesla. During a visit to Israel, Musk met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and toured a kibbutz that had been targeted by Hamas fighters. Deeply moved by the experience, Musk stated that it was "jarring to see the scene of the massacre" and that Israel had "no choice" but to eliminate Hamas. He backed Israel's war on Gaza and agreed not to provide Starlink internet access to the region without Israeli approval, marking a significant shift in Israel's communication landscape. Just 5 days before the Hamas attack, Musk had stated, "I am aspirationally Jewish," after refuting claims that his social media platform, 𝕏, formerly known as Twitter, was seeing a rise in antisemitic posts.

These five remarkable individuals have faced criticism and challenges for their unwavering support of Israel, but they have chosen to stand firm in their convictions. Like the Good Samaritan in the parable told by Jesus, they have gone out of their way to help and defend Israel, even when it would have been easier to remain silent or follow the crowd. 

As we celebrate Israel's independence and resilience, let us also express our gratitude to these modern-day Samaritans who have demonstrated that support for Israel can come from unexpected places.