The other comment is a very important comment on the psychology [which leads to the political but goes beyond it.] Israelis feel themselves very vulnerable. While they work hard to maintain a military superiority, they do so because they feel themselves surrounded by hostility. Much of the world compares them to the Palestinians and the territories – and sees them as a major power; Israelis see the map of the middle east as much larger and see themselves – legitimately – as a small place within it. Whatever ones political positions [and my own is more on the left], it is important to understand that deeply felt sense of isolation.