Israel is facing significant internal challenges that threaten its identity as the “Startup Nation,” according to Batell Blaish-Sultanik, Executive Director of the AID Coalition. She made these remarks during a recent speech. The AID Coalition is a non-partisan group with over 180 Israeli members living in the US.
They have been working to ensure that funds raised for Israel contribute to rebuilding and strengthening democracy in the country. “Israel is facing the greatest internal struggle in its history,” Blaish-Sultanik stated. The coming months will determine if we continue to be the Startup Nation, a thriving democracy in a hostile region, or allow extreme and sectorial interests to divert us off course.
Blaish-Sultanik shared her own journey from a military family to becoming a legal professional and a mother of four.
Israel’s internal identity challenges
She said the events of October 7th were a turning point that prompted her to join forces with others to establish the AID Coalition and run in the World Zionist Congress elections. The coalition has assisted resilience centers, evacuee centers, and cultural initiatives.
They have also supported military units and raised tens of millions of dollars to address shortages. Blaish-Sultanik emphasized the importance of the Zionist Congress, which allows Jews in the United States and Israelis living there to influence the allocation of five billion dollars. She urged the audience to vote in the upcoming elections to ensure funds are used to rebuild devastated communities and support core education and democracy.
“We cannot personally bring all the abductees home, and we cannot stop the Knesset from passing undemocratic laws,” Blaish-Sultanik said. “But we can ensure that our money is used for meaningful purposes.”
She asked the audience to vote for the AID Coalition, which she described as “a team of high-caliber Israeli-Americans ready to serve for the future of Israel.”
The upcoming elections for the World Zionist Congress represent a pivotal moment for Israelis and Jews living in the U.S. to influence the future direction of Israel, according to Blaish-Sultanik.
Photo by Laura Siegal on Unsplash