UJM- ” Zionism and the State of Israel have been devastating to Klal Yisroel” Every generation there was anti-semitism, and absolutely violent and destructive anti semitism at that. In each generation it takes a different shape and form. From the religious persecution of the crusades and the Inquisition, to the race and nationalist persecution of the Nazis in Germany. Nowadays, Eisav Sonei es Yaakov takes the shape of Arab violence and anti-semitism. It’s easy to use that as a cheap shot against the state and argue that it’s the cause of the violence, but anyone who knows Jewish history knows that’s not true. If there was no State, if Zionism had died, do you really think this would be the generation that the violence and the anti-semitism died and we would finally live in peace with the Goyim around us? Of course not… it would just take some other form. The only difference between the violent anti-semitism nowadays and of years passed is that finally God gave us the means to defend ourselves.
In addition, I would like to argue that spiritually, the State has been magnificent for Klal Yisroel. Yes, I know that Zionisism was born out of a nationalisitc and anti-religious fervor… and many Zionists are still not just non-religious but anti-religious. The State is far from being majority dati (whether Charedi or Dati Leumi) and there is much work to be done. But unlike other spiritual challenges to our people, from the haskalah in Europe, to Communism in the Soviet Union, to the non-religious in the USA… the non-religious’ connection to Klal Yisroel as a nation is also weakend and we see so many marrying out and dropping out from our people. The non religious in Israel still maintain a fierce connection to Eretz Yisroel and to Klal Yisroel as a nation (even though not as a religion) and still maintain fidelity to not only our land, but a far higher percentage stay married in than their golus counterparts. This also keeps their pintele Yid alive, always leaving the chance for them to indeed get close to the religion. Without the connection to Zionism, the State, and Eretz Yisroel, they would be drowning in the secular world of Europe and the USA and many would be gone forever.
Thank you HaShem for the wonderful gift of the Medina. Klal Yisroel is better off for it.