Witnessing Israel’s innovation and moral purpose - opinion

Last summer, I was asked to speak at a synagogue in Jerusalem to a community that was – like most Israelis – tired, shaken, and bruised by a world that increasingly demands Jewish silence and Jewish apologies.

I spoke from the heart. I urged them to be proud of who they are. To reclaim their story. To stop shrinking themselves to fit a narrative written by others. I spoke of Israel not as a headline or a controversy, but as a living miracle, a nation that carries light in the midst of so much darkness around it.

After the talk, a friendly gentleman approached me (who has become, over time, a dear friend). He asked whether I would consider becoming an ambassador for a program run by a nonprofit he was involved in – an initiative dedicated to showcasing Israeli innovation and how it benefits humanity. It was rooted in a deeply Jewish ethic: Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. It sought to show how Israel is stepping into its calling of being a “Light unto the Nations,” and how that light could be shared more effectively with a skeptical world.

I did not hesitate.

What was envisioned over months came to fruition last month, when a group of influencers, social media professionals, and public voices from Israel and around the world were invited by the nonprofit SKIES (Sharing Knowledge & Innovations, Empowering Success), in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The purpose was not propaganda: It was witnessing. Seeing with our own eyes how Israel innovates, heals, builds, and contributes – quietly, consistently, and often without recognition.

Now, I have been to Israel several times since the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023. I have traveled the length and breadth of the country, felt its pulse, spoken to its people, and brought groups to encounter the reality on the ground. I knew of the “Start-Up Nation.” I knew of the hi-tech ecosystem. But through this program, I encountered something deeper: not just cutting-edge technology, but technology infused with moral purpose – innovation in the service of life.

We visited Yokneam, a hi-tech city pulsing with creativity: innovators transforming waste into natural keratin products; lab-grown meat created from stem cells, without harming animals; rapid muscle regeneration technologies; 3D-printed bones designed to heal better; mobility solutions like the UpnRide wheelchair that allows people with disabilities to stand and meet the world eye to eye. We saw corneal innovations restoring sight, entrepreneurial ecosystems at Ben-Gurion University, and Israel’s scientific achievements at the Technion in Haifa.

Try living without Israeli innovations!

One of the most moving moments was our visit to Save a Child’s Heart, a nonprofit that treats children suffering from congenital and rheumatic heart disease, from countries with little or no access to advanced medical care. Israel has treated thousands of children from around the world, including from nations with which it has no diplomatic relations, such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

I was deeply moved listening to Ido Gutin, director of resource development, speak about the sanctity of life. His words were clear and unwavering: if a child needs treatment, be they from Judea & Samaria (the West Bank) or anywhere – the child will be treated. They are not seen through a political lens, but through the lens of human life.

Before October 7, children from Gaza regularly came through the Erez Crossing to receive life-saving treatment. That crossing was completely destroyed by Hamas. Today, children from Gaza who need care cannot reach Israel.

What struck me as I reflected on everything we had seen was this: A nation so relentlessly focused on saving lives, improving lives, and restoring dignity cannot and should not be understood through slogans or accusations. Despite war, missiles, global condemnation and media hostility, Israel’s economy continues to thrive. In 2025, The Economist ranked the Israeli economy third globally. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange has performed remarkably well. Investors and businesses clearly understand Israel’s value, even when public discourse refuses to.

Why this disconnect?

Part of it is fear: fear of extremist violence now spilling into Western societies, leading many to remain silent rather than openly support Israel. It is deeply saddening. Another part lies in a media narrative that consistently distorts the truth. I have come to believe that meaningful change will not emerge from mass campaigns alone, but from personal encounters and quiet, honest conversations with those willing to listen.

And then I ask the question that lingers: how can a nation accused of genocide be so deeply invested in saving lives? The two realities cannot coexist.

Above all else, what stayed with me most from the SKIES program was this: Many of Israel’s leading innovators openly speak of God. They attribute their success not only to human brilliance, but to the Creator, the God of Israel, the Guardian of Israel. This is not merely a story of human ingenuity, but one written by the Hand of God, sustaining and protecting a nation against all odds.

That is why Israel is different.

That is why Israel is a “light unto the nations.”

Will those sitting in darkness choose to see the light?