Business
Israel increases benefits for returning emigrants
Itamar Eichner
Published: 17.08.07, 10:32
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65 Talkbacks for this article
1. do we really need these 700,000 quitters in exile?
aaron ,   ra'anana   (08.17.07)
this is zionism? they won't come back because of a 8000 shekel fee for health insurance? or because we won't let them bring back an LCD tv from the USA? i submit to you that israel is better off without these 700,000. let them continue selling jewelry in fort lauderdale, selling drugs in amsterdam, selling real estate in los angeles, selling falafel in bangkok , selling weapons in angola and selling electronics in manhattan. the last thing we need is injecting another 700,000 clueless lemmings into the voting rolls to vote for the surrender politics of kadima and olmert.
2. Israeli logic
David ,   Haifa   (08.17.07)
Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to invest more in efforts aimed at convincing Israelis to stay, rather than convincing those who looked elsewhere for greener pastures ( or simply fleshpots ) to do us a favor by coming back? Improving this country's economy, fighting corruption, making peace with our neighbors and ending the occupation, I could think of quite a number of investments that are more worthwhile than yet another attempt by a political nobody to justify his ( office's ) existence.
3. Get rid of gov't of losers and ...
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (08.17.07)
not only will many Israelis come home but Aliyah will double. While this is a sensible proposal & it's important to make it easier to come back, money is not the only motivation. The idea of building a Jewish state, even for secular Jews, is very strong - but dismantling the Jewish state is quite a turn-off.
4. aaron , ra'anana (08.17.07)
Simon ,   Malha   (08.17.07)
becuase of you they left in the first place.. little ra'anana's full of expats who belittle the local israelis who were born and bred to a true israeli family.. if you move to a country you integrate.. you dont force religion and zionism down peoples throats! israel is for every jew, whatever background.. get over yourself!
5. Kol Hakavod
BritishYosef.com ,   Jerusalem   (08.17.07)
It's great to see we're taking steps to bring our brothers home. Too many people leave for a 'better life' when you can have happiness and success right here. This is great news for the State.
6. What about those who made aliya?
(08.17.07)
7. no. 1 aaron, ra'anana
gm ,   south africa   (08.17.07)
wow, talk about anger!! Israel is not just for you, and you don't know everyone's circumstances, so don't pretend to. Yes Israel needs them and so do you, even though you personally don't apparently deserve them. Get over yourself.
8. Dumb Dumb Dumb move...
Ari ,   Jerusalem   (08.17.07)
These so called Israelis do not give a hoot about Israel or us, they are back after the money and when they are asked to deliver than receive you'll see then flee yet again and again!
9. Time to make Yerida!
British Oleh ,   Tel Aviv   (08.17.07)
I've been here for years, but lately the attitudes and local mentality have been getting to me. There simply seems to be no need to make every damn thing a struggle. I maintain that we (as Jews) will kill ourselves before the Arabs (or any other interested party - of which there are many) will get a look in! If this weren't a "Jewish" country I'm sure that most Jews around the world would take a look and say "no thank you very much". Let the vitriolic talkbacks begin!
10. luring israelis
JL   (08.17.07)
its good to see and quite fitting that there is no shortage of funds for people who have essentially deserted the country...yet there is no help or relief for those that stayed the course...braved the wars and suffered while those seeking an easier life get to return with their money and to recieve more on top of that...go to hell edrey...
11. violating the oath
observer   (08.17.07)
Jews have been forsworn by G-d "not to enter the Holy Land as a body before the predestined time", "not to rebel against the nations", to be loyal citizens, not to do anything against the will of any nation or its honour, not to seek vengeance, discord, restitution or compensation; "not to leave exile ahead of time." Where are the prophet Elijah and Moshiach who will induce all Jews to complete repentance ? The sin was obvious from the start. Chaim Weizman stated: "The most valuable part of the Jewish nation is already in Palestine, and those Jews living outside Palestine (victims of the Holocaust) are not too important".
12. 100 mil for acquiring the yordim title; how much for higher
observer   (08.17.07)
ranks?
13. to #10...you are totally right!
miri ,   ashdod   (08.17.07)
instead of making life easier for those of us who have to put up with the incompetance of our govt, lack of funds (and respect) for holocaust survivors, physically and mentally challenged, etc. a lousy school system where the level goes down every year (and i know, i teach in one for a terribly low salary), less subsidies on basic food essentials, and i can go on and on, we're using this money to lure back those who left for greener pastures. i left those green pastures to come here and nobody gave me much but boy, with my 3 kids in the army and a husband doing reserves, and a govt that is dumping on everyone, we keep on giving. doesn't seem fair. (thanks for letting me vent).
14. Olim are welcome in Israel, HUH!!
ELY GREENHUT ,   Tzfat Israel   (08.17.07)
I made Alyah in 2005 & I am a very talented JEWELRY ,SILVERSMITH designer. When I showed my work to various jeweler factories, Israeli designers in my profession I was responded to negatively. They were doing this to keep me from persuing my profession here in Israel as they feared I would take away customers from them. So far I did not find a normal paying job here. I can not make enough money to pay my everyday expenses. There are are those who made Aliya but they are rich pensionares or they get financial help from abroad. As a result I will be forced to return to the US. if my situation does not get better.
15. Violating what "oath" exactly?
British Oleh ,   Tel Aviv   (08.17.07)
Nowhere in Torah does it say what the respondant #11 says concerning returning from the galut. Are we also to suffer from the spiteful actions of the ultra-religious who actively aid our enemies because we don't toe their particular brand of religion? True modern Israel appears to be godless but it's not an excuse to exterminate Jews.
16. Offer to Yordim
Bracha ,   Jerusalem   (08.17.07)
I think this offer to Yordim is absolutely disgusting. Firstly, those Israeli's living out of the country are doing so because they went to make a better living and have a more comfortable life. They don't need the NIS1 bribery to come back. But if there is so much money to give out why not give it to "Nitzolei Hashoa" and other poverty stricken people living here in Israel. The saying goes: Get your house in order first! That means here in Israel - to the people of Israel living here now.
17. #11- What specific sources are your quoting?
LEE ,   NY, USA   (08.17.07)
18. #10 #14
JL ,   israel   (08.17.07)
miri...i could not have described it any better...keep venting... ely...i have been here 27 years..and now i am also being forced out...i guess yerida really does pay
19. #14 SON OF A JEWELLER WHO EMIGRATED
Yosef   (08.17.07)
Some advice: Give up on jewellery. We came to Israel a relatively wealthy family of jewellers from South Africa, and left dirt poor because we insisted on remaining Jewelers. My father even took a second job - a Karate teacher - to attempt to make up the money. But it simply could not be done. Unfortunately, people in Israel do not have the money to spend on expensive jewellery. Take an academic subject and study in university, or try taking a trade that there is a shortage of.
20. #11 How about these?
Bechor   (08.17.07)
Said the Holy One Blessed be He: A small group in Eretz Israel is dearer to Me than a full Sanhedrin outside the Land. (Yerushalmi, Sanhedrin 86) If you desire to see the Presence of the Shechina in this world, study Torah in Eretz Israel. (Midrash Tehillim 105) All the benefts and blessings and sources of comfort which the Almighty will ever confer upon the people of Israel will come only from Zion (Vayikra Rabba 24) There is no greater abrogation of the Torah (Bittul Torah)than when the Jews were exiled from their place (Chagigah 5b) In Israel, they are one nation, and not outside of it (Zohar ha Kadosh Emor 93) Living in Eretz Israel is equivalent of all the Mitzvot in the Torah (Sifrei, Parashat Ree, Tosefta Avoda Zara 5) It is preferable to dwell in the deserts of Eretz Israel than the palaces of Chutz LaAretz (Bereshit Rabba 39:8) Why did Moshe Rabbenu yearn to enter Eretz Israel? Did he need to eat its fruits, or to satisfy himself from its bounty? Rather, Moshe said: The people of Israel have been given many commandments, and they cannot be fulfilled except in Eretz Israel" (Talmud Sota 14)
21. THIS IS A TERRIBLE DEAL
Aharon ,   Tel-Aviv   (08.17.07)
They haven't even come home yet, and you're already demanding taxes? You call this luring people home? If I were a Yored I wouldnt come back to Israel under these terms in a million years!
22. Israel increases benefits for returning emigrants
Monique   (08.17.07)
Why not use those funds to encourage teachers to return to ISrael too,we need good qualfied teachers here as well as Drs and scientists. I know though that not too many people who are successful in th USA will return here because of the standard of living here is lower,wages are lower, the educational system here is poor, and there is a lack of consideration for the safety of MDs in hospitals today,seems to be alot getting attacked by patient's families here. the bright spot here is that if Gd forbid you have a life threatening disease such as cancer the treatment is paid for by the government as well as any medications so that is great and may attract those former Israelis back who are sick!
23. You are funny, guys! :))
trustworthy one   (08.17.07)
Now, all that 'abandoned Russians who returned home - to Russia or wherever- will be tempted to come to get the gift from stupid (!) jewish country. ps: it's not a bad idea at all to live for couple of years somewhere abroad and aftermath return to get a many-grant. Thanks to God, I have triple citizenship - could live triple by 2 years abroad. conclusion: Ministry of absorption loses its power in eyes of the tax-payers, so they dream a crazy dreams to stay in power for long.
24. Need to be selective
Israel   (08.17.07)
"Every returning Israeli strengthens the country" is nonsense, and anyone with half a brain knows it. I think natives who are leaving, as well as high-level professionals, should be courted. Any yordim who had previously been state-sponsored under false pretense should be made to return the incentives they stole AND finance repair of the damage they did.
25. Not proud but not ashamed
Yored ,   London   (08.17.07)
I left Israel 2004 as a qualified Surgeon. I was earning a basic wage of 3500 shekels and working other jobs every evening Kupat Holim until 11pm also shabbatot. Israel is a hard life for professionals. The Galut is an easy life with financial security and lots of leisure time holidays which I spend in Israel. Life in Galut is very very easy with huge wages. I'm not proud of what I have done but I'm not ashamed. I was a combat officer in Lebanon for compulsory service and miluim every year. Not all Yordim are traitors we just prefer to have an easier more confortable life.
26. to #1
Natan ,   USA   (08.17.07)
Can't decide wether attitude like yours is the reason Israelis will not return or just may be the reason they left to begin with!!! Don't be so quick to condemn as you don't know the reasons people left or the reasons they don't comeback.
27. What is their insentive to return?
Reuven ,   Israel   (08.17.07)
What is their insentive to return to modern-day Israel? What would they be returning to? Rather than throwing the money at the symptom (or one of the symptoms), why doesn't the government take responsibility and start creatively thinking about how they are going to clean up the mess? Or better yet, why don't the citizens of Isreal begin to clean up the mess by toppling this anti-Zionist/Jewish, corrupt and criminal government ASAP?
28. #24 - israeli more stupid than you think of.
mike   (08.17.07)
"Every returning Israeli strengthens the country" is nonsense, and anyone with half a brain knows it. " You do not need to use your brain at all to catch up with your conclusion.
29. No money for Holocaust survivors????
Chaya ,   Bat Yam, Israel   (08.17.07)
No money for discharged soldiers??? But there is money to lure back Yordim to Israel???
30. #14 & #19 - Some business advice.
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (08.17.07)
If you can't make it with expensive jewellery (although I see a great many expensive jewellery stores), if you have talent & some business sense, go into cheap junk jewellery & don't count only on the small Israeli market - you can manufacture in low wage countries & export all over the world while doing the design work & marketing here. Please, a little initiative. Don't blame Israel, you just have to adapt to local conditions. You can succeed here as well as anywhere else. The world is a lot smaller than it used to be & talent & hard work do succeed.
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