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Independence Day in Israel

Israel is still dressed in blue and white. Two days after Independence Day, national flags are everywhere, even on tree trunks in West Jerusalem. I don't remember so many flags on Independence Days in Jerusalem in the past, flags of so many kinds. 

This Independence Day in Israel yielded the perennial retrospects of achievements and failures. The news media are running shows and reportages on 61 one years of Israeli popular music and art, journalism, financial success stories and even legendary criminals.

Israelis have a lot to be proud of. And they are. Tel Aviv University's monthly poll, the Peace and War index, this month examined how Israelis see their country, how happy they are with it. Almost ninety percent of Israeli Jews said the country's achievements since its inception are "very good" or "moderately good." Eighty one percent of Israeli Jews said they were optimistic about their country's future. Eighty one percent also said that given the choice to live in another country, they would choose to continue to live in Israel.

Eighty one percent also said that Israel has succeeded - either "greatly" or "moderately" - in the military-security sphere. When asked about other spheres - creating democracy, achieving unity, excelling in science and technology - Israel got lower marks. The lowest mark was given to Israel's success in advancing peace. Only 27% of those asked thought that Israel was successful in facing that challenge.

In the coming days, on an APN fact-finding mission, I will continue to post from Israel, commenting on some of Israel's chief challenges in pursuit of peace. I'm bracing for bad news but hoping for better.

Stay tuned.