The answer to both questions is a resounding yes. Israel today is a nation, a free democracy, with vital political contests for office. Like any other state, it can make mistakes, it can be wrong.
Anti-Semitism is a grievous offense for a Christian. God told Abraham in Genesis 12:3 that he would bless the Jews and bless those who bless them. Christians see this as a mandate for how believers are to act toward Jews.
But it is not a blank check for the state of Israel. For the very same reason that I believe that I could criticize Israel without being anti-Semitic, so too could a citizen of Israel, or a Jew be critical of the state of Israel.
The highest form of patriotism is to be able to call your own government to account when it is clearly in error. Israel’s citizens are a part of a democracy. They show no sign of being hesitant in criticizing their own governments.
To me, that makes them faithful Jews.
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