Russians are the way they are because its so cold in Russia. They are only wanting to survive since its practically winter year round up there. They are the land of the midnight sun. So their world view has always been pretty bleak for six months of the year.
Israel, the promised land, the holy land, Palestine, land of Cannan, Zion, Beulah, new Jerusalem, whatver you wwnt to call it, has actually pretty good weather, ideally located at the cross roads of humanity.
Its not too hot or too cold, has rivers, mounatains, hills and valleys. It doesnt rain too much and it isnt in the path if typhoons and hurricanes, nor is it stinkin hot and breeding ground for mosquitos and sandflies.
While its near sandy desert, theres underground springs and its not a total bog. All edible foods can grow there. It has access to a sheltered coast too with a beautiful underwater reef.
So whatver its got going for it, it would be topography, and it wasnt for nothing that the spies found the grapes to be giant as much as the people were.