These days, comparing Armenia and Israel have become a fashion. Making the similarities absolute is as wrong as to reject any parallels. We, of course, are very different, in particular, the states were created in completely different circumstances. We have a long history of living in Russian and later in the Soviet empire which had negatively affected our state mindset, the Israelis are free of this burden, they have created a state “from scratches.” A major difference, I think, is that the faith and religion in us, unlike Israel, did not have a state-building significance. Certainly, we must also admit that in developed countries, primarily in the United States, there are no Armenians among the government decision-makers while there are many Jews.
This does not mean that we have nothing to replicate from Israel. First of all, of course, introducing the western democratic models of state governance being in an “unfriendly” environment: establishment of a legitimate and unreserved trust-enjoying government by the majority of the population. We all: the authorities, the opposition, political forces and the public should realize that rigged elections and a few dozen “Smerch” and “Solntsepyok” for already 21 years are shooting at our country. I am surprised that the elementary instinct of self-preservation is missing in our “castle-owners”. Do they believe that the enemy will save them or their castles?
The second is the fight against corruption. It’s not that this phenomenon did not exist in Israel. But after when a number of senior officials were judged for corruption, this disaster significantly receded. I have already had the chance to write that the United States is giving 10 billion dollars to Israel per year, we will also get it (in the beginning, less amount) if we eliminate theft.
The third is the permanent mobilization of the society, which is the basis of successful long-term (decades) resistance. Israelis know that somewhere down the borders of their country active military operations can begin at any time and they are ready to give a strong counterattack to it. All this does not prevent this country from developing its science (first of all, of course, connected with the military-industrial complex), education, health care, culture and tourism, to the extent that people all over the world are going there to undergo medical treatment, spend vacation and visit sightseeing.
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…Armenia will not become Israel, and it is not necessary. Simply, we have a lot to learn from this country. And who said that we do not have anything to learn from Europe, the United States, Russia, India, China and Iran. Even from Turkey.
Aram ABRAHAMYAN
