Yes. It's industrialized, and shares the values of a democracy so why not? Due to its nature (there are those who identify themselves with Israel over centuries, but they don't live there, it has a worldwide influence. Likewise those generations have suffered at the hands of most nations' apathy and anti-semitism.

Of course Israel should be part of the G20.

I'm not sure why the writer is worried about providing Kosher food. In the economically vibrant places like Tel Aviv and Herzliyya, it's hard to find a kosher restaurant. Outside of Jerusalem, most Israelis are pretty secular.

Yep, the comments attached to the article are what
every Jewish voter for Obama should have read - the Kos kidz get around don't they? Actually, lots of same Israel-bashing inside MyBO, but the hate was always rationalized away. Just like Warsaw ghetto Jews until there were only 20,000 left.