So, let’s look at how Israel fared in the silliest, most meaningless survey about anything, really.
In the overall best countries ranking, where Germany was ranked first among 60, Israel had the 25th spot. Right behind India, Portugal and Russia. Just ahead of debt-ridden Greece and Mexico. Malaysia came in 28th. Saudi Arabia 29th. The proper response to that ranking should have been “hide in shame,” not “boast.”
Now, let’s compare Israel’s numbers to two other countries, Germany in first, and the US in fourth place.
In a silly ranking titled Adventure, Israel ranked 53rd out of 60. It received 0.2 points for Fun, 0.7 for Scenic, 0.9 for Pleasant climate, 0.6 for Friendly, and a Zero for Sexy.
The US, 27th in Adventure, is 5.6 for Fun, 4 for Scenic, 1.9 for Pleasant climate, 4.4 for Friendly, and 0.3 for Sexy, which beats zero.
Germany, in 45th place for Adventure, still beats Israel, with 1.2 points for Fun (could you imagine?), 2.7 for Scenic (OK, Bavaria is amazing in spring), Pleasant climate 0.7 — less than the Jewish State! And 3 full points for Friendly (5 times better than Israel) and 0.1 for Sexy.
Incidentally, the best Adventure spot is Brazil, according to Wharton, and it scored 10 points for Fun and 10 for Sexy, 8.7 for Friendly — get us a flight now!
But the area about which Netanyahu was showing off was not how much fun Israel is to visit, but, really, how much pain it can inflict on its enemies, and there the Jewish State is Queen. In 8th place in the category of Power, Israel got 9.7 points on Strong military, 5.8 on Strong international alliances, 2.4 on Economically influential, a very pleasing 7.6 on Politically influential, and 2.7 on being A Leader.
Germany was ranked 4th in the Power category: 5.6 for Strong military (yes, that’s right, fear us, Germans), 9.3 on Strong international alliances, 9.4 on Economically influential, 8.6 on Politically influential, and a scary 9.1 on being A Leader.
The US, ranked first in Power, got 9.5 on its military, 10 on strong alliances, 9.9 on Economic influence, 9.6 on Political influence, and a full 10 on leadership.
The top three in the Power category are the US, Russia and China.
Netanyahu, who obviously took this college survey hype very seriously, told his Likud faction members in the Knesset about his nonstop meetings with foreign dignitaries, including Egypt’s Ambassador to Israel, a group of ambassadors from African countries, not to mention the coming visit of US Vice President Joe Biden, noting that “we’re strengthening our ties with many powers in Asia and in Latin America every day.”
Still, how much influence can Israel have around the world with 0.2 point for Fun and zero for Sexy?