The land of Israel has always posed a problem for the Jewish people. On one hand, it is and always has been our national homeland. On the other hand, the record of the Jewish people in the land of Israel, and their behavior and attitudes, has often been a spotty one.
The attitude of Jews towards the Land of Israel has always been a litmus-paper type of test of Jewish commitment and even faith throughout the ages.
Living in the Land of Israel or at least visiting it regularly is currently the centerpiece of Jewish life, its faith and its future.
One of the explanations to the negative behavior and damning report regarding the Land of Israel is that the spies were aware that when the Jews entered the Land of Israel, new leaders were to be chosen and they were in jeopardy of losing their titles and positions. This awareness preyed upon their minds and prejudiced their view of the Land of Israel.