Mitzva of Yishuv Ha'aretz

Why is it that throughout history, from Avraham Avinu, to Egypt, to the M'raglim, to the time of Ezra, and until today, most Jews don't want to make aliya? This sharp question, pertinent to this very day, will davka help us understand the secret and the beauty of Eretz Yisrael! Aliya is not just a problem of having "guts", but even the most motivated religious-Zionists who intend to and would like to make aliya, deep down have difficulty believing how my connection to God and His Torah is really improved by being in a particular place. We tend to think that spirituality is not connected with the physical. This sheur shows 6 "contradicting" midrashim, which, upon analysis, helps us understand the problem & the secret beauty of Eretz Yisrael.

These oft-debated issues of "hasbara", demand good answers. Rav Shvat suggests 4 replies to the accusation of Israel occupying arab "territories" based upon the difficulty western & rational man has in understanding why the arabs could be the aggressors if they always suffer more casualties? The world doesn't understand the Jihad mindset which doesn't mind losing wars and being suicide bombers which in fact, defies logic and prevents deterrance. History, both old and new also bolster the Jewish claims. Anti-semitism is an additional unfortunate clouding factor. Among several approaches to why the moral mitzvot are geared particularly to Jews: is simply that the Torah addresses Jewish life, among Jews, in the Jewish Land for the Jewish People, and more.

A concise & encompassing explanation of WHY chazal teach us that "Living in Eretz Yisrael is equated with all of the mitzvot combined"? Proofs and 5 reasons why this mitzva is unique and special among the mitzvot aseh, and 9 additional points why especially today, Israel is that much more important to Judaism, including halachic, philosophic, historical, logical, national, religious, and spiritual reasons.

What are the parameters of the idea that every 4 amot one walks in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzva? Is it only to new places? Does one have to walk on foot?