Malcolm Muggeridge attempted to answer the world's hatred for the Jewish people and the subsequent state of Israel.
He said that throughout history, the Jews were responsible for being the lawgiver (through the Almighty) to the world. People who wish to be their own gods hate the law, and therefore seek to destroy those who have proclaimed the law.
I am unsure if that is not too simplistic an approach, but it has a sense of truth to it. I would go beyond that and say that Israel is on the front lines of the epic spiritual battle between heaven and hell; between good and evil.
That could explain it.