As Israel celebrates its 77th Independence Day, The Media Line’s Maayan Hoffman spoke with seven immigrants [1]—olim—who shared personal reflections on what independence means in a year marked by grief, war, and resilience. From Ambassador Alan Baker, who helped shape Israel’s legal and diplomatic infrastructure, to newer citizens like former US Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard and Member of Knesset Tania Mazarsky, the interviews offer a portrait of a nation still fighting for full sovereignty—both in spirit and policy.
Some, like Simon Plosker of HonestReporting, expressed pride in Israel’s capacity to tackle its own problems as a defining feature of independence. Others, like Pollard, voiced frustration over what he called Israel’s “subservient mentality” toward the US and international opinion. MK Mazarsky emphasized the vital role of civilian volunteers during the October 7 attacks, describing it as proof of Israeli society’s core strength.
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The discussion touched on everything from democratic values and gender representation to national security and foreign policy. Josh Reinstein, president of the Israel Allies Foundation, pointed to recent military and diplomatic gains as a reason for renewed optimism, including US support under President Donald Trump and Israeli action against Hamas and Iran.
While the celebration is clouded by the ongoing war in Gaza and the continued captivity of hostages, many olim shared a deep-seated belief that Israel’s future remains bright. Hoffman’s interviews show how deeply Independence Day resonates—especially for those who chose to join the Israeli story.
To read the full piece by Maayan Hoffman [1] and hear directly from these seven voices, visit The Media Line.