Professor Aryeh Eldad Condemns Left-Wing Attacks on Israeli Heroes and Zionist Ethos
Professor Aryeh Eldad criticized the extreme left in Israel for disparaging the nation’s heroes, from iconic Zionist figures to the fighters of October 7, 2026. He emphasized that heroism has been a central element of Israeli ethos, rooted in historical role models such as Samson, King David, Judah the Maccabee, and Bar Kokhba, as well as modern myths like Masada, Trumpeldor, and Tel Hai. These figures and stories have traditionally inspired generations in schools and youth movements.
Eldad argued that after the establishment of the state, a new generation of academics and intellectuals sought to challenge and dismantle these myths, portraying revered figures negatively to distance themselves from collective identity. This shift reflected a broader societal move from collective sacrifice to individualism, where personal or nuclear family interests replaced commitment to the kibbutz, society, or Jewish people.
He highlighted that this rejection of heroism stems from an inability to identify with the spirit of sacrifice and greatness, leading to the promotion of an "anti-hero" who prioritizes self-interest. Eldad condemned recent attacks on the bravery of young Israelis willing to defend the Jewish state, linking such criticism to personal frustration and a lack of meaningful purpose in the critics’ own lives.
Eldad specifically referenced a writer named Alfer, son of a Mossad agent, who disparaged the IDF and the significance of military service, framing it as a "religion" and a path to personal and national redemption. Eldad saw this as a projection of Alfer’s own emptiness onto those who find meaning in defending Israel. He also noted Alfer’s contradictory stance, simultaneously attacking ultra-Orthodox Israelis who avoid military service while condemning those who support enlistment.
The article concludes by underscoring the importance of honoring Israel’s heroes and the ethos of sacrifice that sustains the Jewish state, warning against the corrosive effects of extreme left-wing narratives that undermine national unity and valor.
