What Tisha B'Av and Lamentations teach about Israel's foreign policy

On Tisha B'Av, Jews read the Book of Lamentations, which attributes Judea's destruction not only to military defeat but also to "diplomatic isolation" and loss of allies. The text, traditionally linked to Jeremiah, highlights Jerusalem's shift from a prestigious city to a subjugated one, warning against self-reliance and ignoring geopolitical realities. Jeremiah's warnings against relying on Egypt and rebelling against Babylon were dismissed, leading to the First Temple's destruction in 586 BCE. The article argues that this ancient lesson is highly relevant for modern Israel, a small nation that cannot thrive in isolation. It criticizes some Israeli leaders for invoking the phrase "A people that dwells alone" as an ideal and for downplaying international realities. The author, a former Israeli ambassador, emphasizes that statesmanship requires a sober assessment of Israel's dependence on allies and the importance of international legitimacy, rather than bravado like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement, "If we have to, we will fight with our fingernails."