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Israel ranks 7th in 'happiness index'
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 24.04.11, 18:11
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73 Talkbacks for this article
1. Who got interviewed?
telavivit ,   Israel   (04.24.11)
the mind boggles..........
2. Yes we are very happy in Canada!
Maurice ,   Montreal   (04.24.11)
But if it weren't for personal reasons I would be just as happy in Israel! Can't wait to travel there next month.
3. Should I say more ...
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (04.24.11)
4. Just curious
Arie ,   BaGolan   (04.24.11)
Why yet again we have a news report that you will never see in the Muslim Haaretz
5. to #1
Arie ,   BaGolan   (04.24.11)
We all know that the left bank of TA will never be happy until it is part of the greater Muslim world. Then let us compromise: The left bank of TA to a "Palestine" in exchange for the settlement block!
6. what no germany? i wonder why
(04.24.11)
7. USA life is good but politicans stink
(04.24.11)
But the overall life seems to be good here. I think there is lots of good things for those who think positive about where they are in the world and it depends also on who they are with.
8. So what a lot israeli jews go to USA and dont back??
ROSENVALD ,   BRASIL   (04.24.11)
9. #1 I am happy in spite of !!!!
Don ,   Nahal Oz, Israel   (04.24.11)
Yes I live on the border of Gaza and even though, life is not easy with rockets falling and terrorist alerts, I would not want to live any where else. Go and figure that out my friend.
10. Maurice, 2 weeks in Canada is enough
Judah ,   Golan Heights,ISRAEL   (04.24.11)
I just spent 2 weeks in Ottawa visiting my family and friends for Pesach. Great to see everyone. Yet the weather as you know has been cold and rainy with even light snow. Alot of people in Ottawa seem to have the blues. I think that the nice weather in Israel has alot to do with people being happier. Of course religious and ideological reasons(Zionism) I am sure play a big part too.
11. # 2 Who are we in Canada?
Ralph ,   NYC   (04.24.11)
12. I would be happy too...
Juliano ,   Italy   (04.24.11)
If I steal someone else's land and am allowed to get away with it. I guess the happiest would be Americans for stealing Indian and Mexican land....
13. Yes we are happy....
(04.24.11)
We stole some one's country and we got away with it so why should we not be happy?
14. This wil really depress Gideon Levy
zionist forever   (04.24.11)
15. #1 - not sure what you find mind boggling but .
michael redbourn ,   arad, israel   (04.24.11)
I made aliyah 8 years ago and am very happy in Israel. My daughter, her husband and three children made aliyah 6 months ago and they're very happy. I have many friends in Israel that are very happy. Or maybe the results in some other countries boggle your mind?
16. #2 - I loved Montreal!
michael redbourn ,   arad, israel   (04.24.11)
17. #1 - real estate agents in upscale markets .
seadog1946 ,   ArthurKill, Nj   (04.24.11)
and Protektsia enthusiasts.
18. Glad to read it on this Board.
Michael ,   California, USA   (04.24.11)
It primarily means that all those right wing yada yada nonsense commentators here are among the bottom 37 percent of Israelis. Also, it means the Fifth Column American Jews who blame Obama for everything are the ----sh*------ (you fill in the blanks) on this Board. As Yair Lapid wrote, if you want to see the left winning, you need to go the right-dominated Talkback board.
19. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Salameh ,   Gaza, Palestine   (04.24.11)
Really? what a farce hahahahahahahahahahaha
20. Quite content!
avi ,   israel   (04.24.11)
Yes, and we are happy in Israel.
21. Israel ranks 7 in Happiness index
roxie ,   israel   (04.24.11)
Who did they actually survey, certainly wasn't me,everything here is hard,and the go doesn't give a hoot about the people. I was happier in the USA and wish I had the money to return there, instead of living in poverty here!
22. Venezuela?
onimo ,   Barcelona, Spain   (04.24.11)
Chavez is dropping in the polls. It makes you wonder who Gallup has interviewed.
23. settle down maurice #2
morty p ,   IL   (04.24.11)
you got a rating of 69% for canada...that is happy enough...you can come over here and visit us but don't go expecting us to raise your happiness quotient any higher...if you want, you can send me a dozen montreal bagels..then, maybe, i will raise you 1%.
24. What's the matter, Telavivit?
HaifaGuy   (04.24.11)
It's ok, you're among the 37%. Maybe you should move up here?
25. Didn't the OECD find the exact opposite only weeks ago?
confused ,   London   (04.24.11)
"Israelis report the 6th lowest positive experiences – feeling well-rested, being treated with respect, smiling, doing something interesting and experiencing enjoyment – in the OECD. At the same time Israelis report the most negative experiences – pain, worry, sadness, stress and depression – in the OECD."
26. happiness
Jimbob ,   Belfast NI   (04.24.11)
If I knew the girl in the photo i guess I would be happy too....
27. Happy
Andy ,   Canada   (04.24.11)
Great survey but I wonder who sponsored this and paid Gallup to do it? I think it is a better measure of quality of life but if you add up the UN Human Development results and this survey you start to get a picture of the world that is likely accurate. Of course, the Arab countries all score maudlin to low on both measures. Interestingly on the Doha debate today on the BBC intelligent Arabs (oxymoron?) voted to say they don't trust one another to liberate Libya but prefer the West to do so because they think their own people don't have the capability nor the appropriate intentions. I watched the debate in amazement. As a happy Canadian, I was happy I wasn't an Arab with such self-hatred and low, low self esteem.
28. telavivit @ 1, may I venture a guess that you are among 37%?
leo ,   usa   (04.24.11)
29. Economist Intelligence Unit Index Superior Source
EZ ,   US   (04.24.11)
While Gallup does a decent job it is hardly an extensive, in-depth study: the Economist Index is far deeper and a more accurate assessment. Gallup is the fast food of polls but still carries some weight. When u see numbers like 14% though, anything under 40%, when it's a standard average over decades, it typically reflects an internal mindset or one of resignation. In Chad, there is little hope things will change: in the west bank, the whole world is behind the Palestinians, pumping billions in aid in and they're still at such a low...even if they had ALL of Israel all indications are that they'd still be very "unhappy" people. This is why sociologists and anthropologists have embraced genetic findings for an explanation rather that cultural conditions alone. As for those not appeased as to the frightening revelations that genetics DO, factually influence entire cultures...I would point you to the results and manner in which they were found. It IS sad that there are cultures with dormant genetic potentials and have to live with it. And most of these attributes are not relative to the conditions outside of them. This is indeed a scary thought and somehow must be addressed. Israelis and Jews in general are optimistic, progressive individuals: probably among the happiest people in the world regardless of where they are or what's going on around them. Perhaps it's the high value they place on learning, education and "making-do" with what they have.
30. Mr. Rosenvald (Rosenwald)# 8
Ameidane ,   Aarhus, Denmark   (04.25.11)
Have you been recently in Miami or Caracas- There is a zillion Brazilians there, mostly illegally! Don't throw stones if you live a in a glass house (Danish proverb).
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