Jewish Scene
Poll: Foreigners jeopardize Israel's Jewish character
Ynet
Published: 04.01.11, 07:35
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27 Talkbacks for this article
1. Why Israel will fail
David ,   Tel   (01.04.11)
The US and other immigrant countries succeeded because they weren't based on race purity or blood quotients. When this country is turns away immigrants who can and want to contribute, it will become and inbred failure. Israel acts like it's the year 1930 where she can run a state without multiculturalism and the fruits of globalization. The result will be pariah status. Oh look, already is.
2. #1 Exactly opposite to this.
tejas ,   India   (01.04.11)
I am just wondering that you don't even know the history of your own country. Israel survived till this date because of jewish majority and will survive if it is maintained. And who told that Israel was based on race purity? If you hate Israel that much why are you still living there? Israel will fail because of non-Jewish people living in Israel and politically correct, self hatred jews.
3. Suddenly liberals oppose democracy!
Paqid Yirmeyahu ,   Ra'anana, Israel   (01.04.11)
Majority dati rule and all that.
4. Israel is not like other Nations
Miriam Woelke ,   Zfat   (01.04.11)
Israel has a special mission in this world and cannot be compared to the US or any other country. Our people and religion is at stake and I am glad that so many Jewish Israelis realize that. What we need is unity among each other and not an African stranger who may contribute.
5. #1 have you ever read Jewish history?
m   (01.04.11)
6. That is what reality TV shows are for. Character.
Josh   (01.04.11)
7. Demographics and the law of large numbers
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (01.04.11)
Jews today make up only 0.2% of the world's population, and that figure is declining. They're outnumbered 100 to 1 by Muslims. So those principles that might apply to a large population need to be reconsidered when we're dealing with one struggling to survive. As it is, the number of foreigners entering Israel every year now exceeds those arriving on legal aliyah - and many of the latter are not even Jewish. So yes, Israel's Jewish character *is* at risk.
8. Accepting foreigners
ORA ,   Jerusalem   (01.04.11)
Switzerland is a good example of a foreign free small state .The only europeen state who did not open his frontiers.The other europeen states are biting their fingers now.Not Switzerland.
9. Joining the region
p ,   Haifa   (01.04.11)
Many critics of Israel complain that Israel, to achieve a lasting presence in the region, must become like her neighbours. It is apparent that the xenophobia that is characteristic of Arab states is becoming a characteristic of Israel. What will be the next negative that we will adopt? Will we make Judaism (and ultra-Orthodox at that) the official state religion?
10. #8, ORA
(01.04.11)
22% of the Swiss population are foreigners! The EU average is 6,4%.
11. 10 i did not mean tourists
ORA ,   Jerusalem   (01.04.11)
12. Why should it be politically correct
Raphael ,   Netanya   (01.04.11)
that only arab muslim countries promote ethnical cleansing? Remember Pakistan vs Hindus, Turkey vs Armenians&Greeks, the whole arab league vs Jews.
13. LOL! Israel's Jewish character has been jeopardized when
Sam   (01.04.11)
the secular Zionists took over. We cannot forget how they cut the peyot off from the Jewish children and the atrocities they did to the Yemenites, Sephardim and Yaldei Teheran (European Jewish children).
14. "Israel is not like other Nations"
Gregg ,   Haifa, IL   (01.04.11)
Miriam, you are lunatic and crazy ! Israel is like any other country in the world. No less, no more... "Israel has a special mission in this world"... says who? Ah right... Yehova told you that ..
15. Rascisim rears its ugly head again
avi ,   israel   (01.05.11)
Rather a thousand foreigners than 1 Eli Yishai.
16. Switzerland->4 official languages 22% pop=foreign workers
(01.05.11)
17. 16Swiss naturalisation difficult
ORA ,   Jerusalem   (01.05.11)
There are in Switzerland,many not naturalised ,three generation families .Only Europeen can enter in Switzerland,since last year,because of a new regulation with the EU.(i did not know that).
18. Diversity is Israel's Strength?
Derick ,   US   (01.05.11)
If diversity is considered good for US, England and let's say Sweden, then why wouldn't it be good for Israel. Your argument about Jews being .2% of the world population being an excuse for them to not change the demographic make up doesn't hold water. Most European nations for example have indigenous Europeans at below replacement and the European population is dropping too drastically. Most Euro countries consist of older populations beyond child-bearing age. Europe is old and dying. So if diversity is supposedly good for Europe, then what's wrong with an Israel with new Israelis of African and Muslim, and Asian ancestry? Help me understand here.
19. more than foreigners
olim hadashim ,   tel aviv/israel   (01.05.11)
Foreigners are foreigners and Arabs are Arabs sothat a clear distincion is already there.What endangers the jewish character of the state is mostly the non-jews who immigrate here within the framework of the Law of Return.They shall be repatriated to their native lands.
20. Why Not Teach Them?
John DeLancy ,   Alaska, USA   (01.05.11)
(first, is 500 out of 5 million, a hundredth of a percent, statistically significant? I don't know the answer - I wanted to ask in case any statisticians were in the audience) Assuming the results are normative, the answer would seem simple enough: why not teach your foreigners your culture? Teach them to speak Hebrew at a minimum. This should already be happening, and if it is not, you need to task someone to do this _now_. Teach them your customs also, so that they do not show up looking for work on Shabbat or do other things that, while okay in their own country, are not acceptable in public in your culture. Teach them how to dress and provide them proper clothing. Finally, allow them to worship however they please, but again within the realm of proper public conduct. Remember, they (we) are guests in your home, and this carries rights and responsibilities in both directions. For example, churches, mosques, temples or other sacred buildings should be modest and fitting for their use. But of course, they should be allowed. Fifty Sudanese Christians fleeing for their lives from Islamic terror should have a church. But fifty people don't need their house of worship to be the largest or tallest building in town just to suit their religious pride or triumphialism. Strangers dwelling in your midst need not be a curse, they are a potential blessing. What makes the difference is how you view them and how you teach them. And according to the Torah, you _are_ supposed to be teaching them.
21. I'm confused here
Derick   (01.05.11)
The indigenous Irish in Ireland are told that anyone can come in and become Irish. Lots of Chinese and Africans have immigrated to Ireland and they are considered "New Irish". You don't hear anyone worrying about the changing of the Irish identity do you? Civilizations and cultures change. Why is it a problem if Israel 50 years from now is composed of 90% Ethiopians and Syrians and Indians? I don't get it. Those immigrants are just looking for better lives. Why would you want to refuse them that? They add diversity and diversity is our strength.
22. 16 Does the 22% include...
ORA ,   Jerusalem   (01.05.11)
the unemployed : El Fayed and his likes?
23. to #18 Derick
John DeLancy ,   Alaska, USA   (01.06.11)
(and a very deserved criticism of Ynet mods) Sorry, Derick - I answered your question very well (heck, since you won't see it I can claim it was Pulitzer material). But since I couldn't copy to a clipboard and Ynet saw fit not to post the first time, my reply was lost. But the gist was this: if the immigrants comprise a large percentage of Israel's Jewish population (and also the population of non-Jewish supporters of Israel as a Jewish, democratic state), and if these immigrants do not self-identify as supporters of a Jewish Israel, they could become competition to the Jewish state and may become an existential threat. The solution is to encourage immigrants to assimilate into Israel. It isn't necessary for them to convert to Judaism, only that they self-identify as supporters of the Jewish state. There's lots of diversity among Jews, and it's supplemented by non-Jewish supporters of Israel as a Jewish nation. Immigration can keep Israel prosperous if the immigrants self-identify as supports of a Jewish Israel. Much like immigrants to America self-identified as supporters of the American Dream. (2nd try, and not nearly as thoughtful nor as engaging a read as the first - maybe post this one???)
24. #19
Gregg ,   Haifa, IL   (01.06.11)
In Israel, also Non Jews can immigrate. It's as simple as that ! If you have a problem with this, I think you'd better start looking another place where to live.
25. # 23
Birdi ,   Israel   (01.07.11)
John, Ynet uses an automated censoring system- a software device which is used for censoring talkbacks. No moderators.
26. # 14
(01.07.11)
Because you are a non-Jew, you cannot understand what Miriam is telling us. Best for you is to keep quiet here.
27. # 26
r cummings ,   uk   (02.09.11)
Your reply is on the dismissive and patronising side. Let us write it this way to see if you can understand the point: "Because you are a non-Nazi, you cannot understand what Frau Miriam is telling us. Best for you is to keep quiet here. " Problem is we all understand perfectly well what Frau Miriam is telling us thanks, we just profoundly disagree with it. The 'Chosen Ones' and the special place of the Jews is a story in an old book. Some believe it, others don't. But always the religious try to bludgeon us into believing that Judaism must be the core of Jewish identity. It doesn't work that way. Jewish identity stems from being born a Jew. It doesn't necessitate accepting everything or indeed anything in the Torah - a Jew can be secular and profoundly atheist or agnostic, they're still a Jew. They could even be a Christian, Muslim or Budhist, they're still a Jew. Organised religion is on its usual historical track to acquire a dominant position in the state and to cajole and bully the citizenry to buy its wares.
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