Over the course of the past half decade, Israel has faced a never-ending line of obstacles, tragedies, and both internal and external conflicts. From having five governmental elections in just three years, to the mass protests over judicial overhauls, the worst terrorist attack in Israel’s history, October 7th, more protests, this time for the prioritization of returning the hostages, a war with Iran, disputes over ultra-Orthodox military service, until now, we’ve reached another election.

These elections don't have just one political dispute, or two simple black-and-white sides to choose between.

It is an internal conflict every Israeli citizen is now facing: what are your personal priorities, and what do you believe to be the most crucial thing to focus on right now? Each political party offers a wide range of views and different opinions on the many issues Israel is facing.

You must decide what you think about the Haredi military draft. Should the ultra-Orthodox, those who are funded by the taxes of others, serve in the military like any other Israeli citizen, or should they be exempt from service for full-time Torah study? Who do you believe can keep Israel safe? Should Israel continue military operations, or negotiate for peace? Who was responsible for the October 7th tragedy, and how should it be investigated? How do we face military threats from Iran or Lebanon? Should Israelis continue settlements in the West Bank, and how should we approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

In 2023, hundreds of thousands of Israelis participated in protests over the still-pressing issue of judicial reform. Should the government have more power than the courts? At what point does giving elected representatives power cross into overhauling the separation of powers? To what extent should the only Jewish state in the world separate religion and state? From public transportation on Saturday, to civil marriage and divorce, to the recurring topic of religious funding for the ultra-Orthodox and military service, should the government prioritize being religious or fair? The continuously rising cost of living in Israel is making it nearly impossible to afford anything. How should the country distribute the economic burden and support its citizens? Does having women in the coalition matter, and should political parties be allowed to purposefully exclude them? What does it say about a society when people erase women from the banners of its political parties during an election?

The list goes on and on, but these issues are central to the upcoming elections. These elections are fateful to the future of Israel because we have reached a breaking point, and we may have reached a point that we cannot come back from. Israel is divided. You can feel it while walking in the street, and you can feel it when talking to any Israeli right now.

But we’re young, and we’re not there, and we couldn’t vote even if we were Israeli, so it doesn't have anything to do with us. We can't change anything. While most of you reading this article live outside of Israel and might be thinking this has nothing to do with you, you’re wrong. You’re wrong because Israel is the only Jewish state in the world.

You’re wrong because thousands of Israelis who have left Israel to live across the world are now traveling back just to vote because they believe in the future of Israel. You’re wrong because, no matter what your answer is to the questions every Israeli is asking themselves, even if you have no idea what you would have voted for if you could, Israel is the home of the Jewish people, and it is your home. And if you’re judged for being Jewish, or you experience hate or antisemitism, Israel should be the place where you feel safe and welcome. So its future affects you. It affects all of us. We have to care.

We might not be the ones voting right now, but the results of these elections will affect us just as much as they will anyone else. We are the future of the Jewish people, and Israel is part of that future. If we don’t care about it, if we aren’t aware of what is happening, who will be?

“Those who sit at home and say, ‘Why should I care about the issues of the world? Why should I trouble myself? Let me live in peace!’ These people destroy the world.” - Midrash Tanchuma, Mishpatim