Opinion
Netanyahu, I have nowhere to go back to
Isaac Shabtay
Published: 02.09.12, 10:50
Comment Comment
Print comment Print comment
Back to article
102 Talkbacks for this article
1. Too many Jews in Israel?
Ilan   (09.02.12)
Nice attitude.
2. Shame!
Abraham Nachmias ,   Petach Tikva IL   (09.02.12)
The only thing that is clear from this article is that Shabtay's loyalties are just to MONEY, seems that money is also his God. Please don't come back, it´s exactly people like you that are not needed not in Israel nor in any country.
3. Iran is a good place
(09.02.12)
Iran is a good place, and take Peres, Mofaz & Dagan with you.
4. Yes, Issac, Vancouver is a great city
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Gush Etzion   (09.02.12)
(don't forget about the numerous people living off the public dole and the shabby, derelict inner city where drugs, HIV and prostitution about with a concentration higher than any other city in North America) although you appear to be blind to any of the downsides of Canadian living. Most of all, you are right, if you are secular and do not believe in principles of Zionism and the right of Jews to their own country. Please enjoy the benefits of a city, and country, engaged in no wars on its home grounds and vicinity for two centuries. And please continue to find someone to blame, i.e., Bibi Netanyahu, in your spoiled boy way.
5. Not Coming Home
Norman Heching MD ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (09.02.12)
I am part of the"non productive sector" I am here because of my religious beleifs and despite all the challenges- personally I thing you should stay in Vancouver enjoy the assimilated enviroment- get to know the locals- your children will most likely marry one of them and eventually no one will in your family will remember their Jewish roots
6. Isaac, dont get too comfortbable in galute my brother.
hippocrates ,   earth   (09.02.12)
you will lose what to live for, and no its not the next lexus or 3 story house. its called purpose ahi. Were you around after the holocaust and to see the rebirth you would forsake the 6 figures lifestyle to settle the land, our land. Dont need to even do that. Make yourself enough to go back and start a business. youre not going back is quitting on your largest purpose outside of family.
7. freedom
mike north ,   karmiel israel   (09.02.12)
You talk of freedom you have to give up if you return to this beautiful land. I left a good life in the diaspora for the freedom of living my life as a Jew in Israel.Sacrifices I made but the life I have here is far more enriched than I would find elsewhere. If you are so worried about the increased number of "certain" first graders-yes people are opting for a education of values that they couldn't find in the regular secular schools. Only if you guys came back here in numbers you can try and change the status quo-so find a wife and come home,
8. weak argument
Yisraeli   (09.02.12)
I think the points you argue as why not to live in Israel are weak and much to do with being anti religious. Allow me to tell you why I no longer see Israel as my homeland and why I am so aggrieved and remain overseas. Israel is the only place on this planet where the government together with the Judiciary kick Jews out of their homes. Let me repeat, Jews are expelled from their rightful and paid for homes only in so called Israel. Arabs have nothing to fear they are never removed from theyre homes, only Jews. Case in point is Migron happening today and many past expulsions. This is not Israel, not a Jewish country, not MY country and I choose no longer to live there. Period. Now thats a valid reason not your bitchy whining.
9. To Isaac
Mindy ,   UK   (09.02.12)
I was in israel many times, whatever you can find here in london or in ny you can find in israel (except in israel the weather is better on avg thruout the year). The tax issue is right, its high, but after all its a state that was created post WWII, without israel no one would fear talking openly about killing jews today, even with israel we see more and more of hate against jews, and please dont blame it on israel as jews where hated before the word palestine was created. The only problem with israel is they still feel the need to ask permission to defend themselves, everything should be done early on to get rid of a threat. The youth forgot everything, they walk around thinking you can reason with a terrorist. While you talk all this nonsense about israel, many americans and europeans are moving there, investing there and the good youth there is making progress very nicely. Shame on you and one day I hope you come to your senses
10. You could have stayed here and worked to change things
Bruno   (09.02.12)
.
11. What a foolish article
david ,   jeruslaem   (09.02.12)
Like him or hate him, none of the things the author mentions is a result of Bibi. Taxes (which for most people are nowhere near 50%) were higher before Bibi. The Haredi population was created by Bibi? He doesn't give them any more money than any previous government. Paying off political parties? Same thing, it's an Israeli institution to do so. The author left of his own accord before Bibi was Prime Minister. To make the claim that he won't come back because Bibi is doing all those things listed in the article which were clearly in existence long before Bibi is ridiculous. I was in Canada, including Vancouver, this past summer and have to honestly say that the disparity between Israel and Canada has narrowed significantly in the past decade. Stay there if you want, but don't blame other people for your (probably poor) decision to do so.
12. Vancouver
Steve   (09.02.12)
Issac, having lived in Vancouver for one amazing year I would have to agree that it is the finest city in the world.
13. Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can
SDB ,   ZY Israel   (09.02.12)
So said John Kennedy. Mr Shabtay, I guess life in Vancouver is simply terrific. And life in Israel is tough, as well you know. You want a different life for your your children. That's understandable. It's surely sad to raise your family away from their extended family. But please take responsibility for your decision. Instead of blaming the government, try and do something for Israel that will create awareness and change for the suckers who live here..including your own extended family.
14. How convenient
Sam ,   Eretz Israel   (09.02.12)
Yeah you a right. Run away. It's easier to flee to comfortable material life rather than staying and fighting to improve things here. Thanks G.od, not all israelis are selfish as you are.
15. Living in Israel
Mabsurfing ,   Israel   (09.02.12)
I was born in Venezuela and lived there for almost all my life, with almost none existent antisemitism (at the time) and in a nice economic situation where I had a very good education, I had the chance to live as well in the USA and in Europe for some periods of time and at the end decided to come to Israel. It is true that the comforts of life in Canada are different like the ones we have (I have an extended family in Canada to know this, a country that I had visited several times), however, the situation in Israel is not because of one politician or one one particular political party has put Israel where and how she is today, but the people like you who left and let those politicians do what they do. Instead of complaining and comparing Israel to Canada or Norway (a very antisemitic country) to Israel, should have stayed here and be part of the people who believe in this country and that is us, not the current politicians who can make this country a better place, a country where some day someone will send the same letter to the prime minister of Canada while living in Israel. There are two kind of people, the one who can be part of the solution or the one who can be part of the problem. Which one of those are you?
16. What is the difference between...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (09.02.12)
this antiharedi hate article and other hate articles? I would like to see more op eds with positive ideas promoting mutual understanding,solutions to unite our people.
17. A real croaker
vernonmarriott ,   London   (09.02.12)
I'm also an Israeli living overseas. I moved to London because it was easier to get a job in my field (which is quite specialised); because prices were cheaper; taxes were lower - and there was more incentive to do well. I also miss Israel in many ways. On the other hand, if this man's family are so involved with Likud, would he not be better lobbying for him to influence them to change their policies? We all have our vision of what Israel should be like - right, left, religious and non-religious. But the plain fact is that we will never see that vision in full: it will always be a compromise - as that's the nature of a democracy. Not moving back to the country of your birth can be about principle. However, pragmatism trumps principle in reality: principle keeps a person sticking to a line even when that line becomes untenable. Thus, if it's the religious Jews and the religious character of the state that keeps you away - that's never going to change. The religious are as much a part of Israel as the secular; and, it has to be said, the religious character of the state is what keeps it together as a state. It's actually a point of attraction for most, highly-educated Jews from western countries. If there was no religious character to the place, they would stick to staying in countries like Canada - and there would be no differentiation, no values defining Israel compared to Cyprus (or more likely Tunisia).
18. Another discontent
Paul ,   Jerusalem   (09.02.12)
Why doesn't he go to Scandinavia, Europe and all the other havens full of anti-Semites. There he can give his tax money to the wonderful governments, so he can contribute to the Arab immigrants, and won't have to support religious Jews, which he obviously disdains. What lame excuses for abandoning his birthplace, which is still the best place left on earth.
19. ridiculous article
tiki ,   belgium   (09.02.12)
In Norway (Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Holland & others)) people pay about 50/60% taxes, but ""they get it back through social benefits"" (which will end pretty soon, because the social benefit money is squandered through bad investments or send to Greece and other corrupt countries), which means that soon these countries will pay even more taxes and get less ""social benefits". The days of social benefits from the 'cradle to the grave' are over. Israel is not Norway, but I'm sure it would love to have the ''problems that Norway has, so it can use the 60% tax for social benefits. Norway is a tiny but very, very, very rich country because of their oil and isn't surrounded by Arab hyena's waiting to destroy it. Mr. Shabtay is just making excuses to stay in Canada, blaming Netanyahu, which is a silly thing to do. It's his choice!
20. Issac the Whiner
Mosh Ram ,   Netanya, Israel   (09.02.12)
Dear Issac, Obviously you need a lot of TLC and therapy. If you don't know how you are going to return to Israel, try buying a ticket and living in the real world. You are a Jew living in a foreign land when you have your own great country. If you are so concerned about the our fellow Arab citizens, please come and show your real concern instead of whining from thousands of kilometers away. From a concerned citizen who does his part by living here, not by critisizing from afar and being an armchair observer. Mosh
21. Do us all a favor and stay in Canada
Adam ,   Yeruka   (09.02.12)
We have enough whining cry-babies who think the world owes them something and that Netanyahu is the root of all evil. Yes there are issues with out current situation and if anybody is to take any sort of blame, in my opinion it is Steinitz. But I would rather have Israeli health care and respectable, free education for my children than the ability to buy each kid an iPad. Maybe my priorities are out of whack?
22. Issac I recently left Toronto after 30 years
Mike ,   Raanana Israsel   (09.02.12)
I dont need to mention that I made much more money and paid much less in tax in Toronto, had a bigger home and drove nice cars and enjoyed like you trips to Israel and other places, but I kept intouch with my friends and family in Israel and followed the news on a daily basis. My family and I decided to return (3 kids and my wife) to Israel becase I like you was and still am concerned with the same points you raise, however I also understand that If I to make a or be part of a change for the better I need to be here in Israel and fight for what I believe is right and that is more than writing letter like yours. Re-think your points and return home its where you belong. BTW I am not religious nor am I a likud fan in fact I will vote Kadima for lack of a better choice. But at least i will try to make the changes. Good luck
23. liar. self-justifying, obtuse, fool-liar
polygraph ,   canada   (09.02.12)
24. author missed reality of situation here
Larry ,   Los Angeles   (09.02.12)
Having lived here since '68, I can say that life is better here than ever, and even surpasses that in LA where I came from. Autos are available and everyone is buying. Goods that never were available are purchased. Sure we have high taxes, but look at the great life we have here. Clean city, constant improvements, and it is safe at night. Good health services and care, and best of all kol yisroel chavarim, here and now. The author is out of touch with reality. Life is not as he describes it. This article should be removed.!
25. Thanks, Ynet, for publishing this crap
Rafael ,   Yerushalayim, Israel   (09.02.12)
26. Agree!
Yosef ,   Ashdod   (09.02.12)
He is right!
27. fellow in vancouver
sue ,   jerusalem   (09.02.12)
no one is forcing you to come home but I am sure that once things will get bad there - you will return here and I HOPE that you will have a hard time settling down. It's always easier to live where things are comfortable. Life is not a piece of cake and history can repeat itself.
28. you left a socialist state for a socialist state?
Golan ,   modiin   (09.02.12)
I call that silly. Besides the alternative to BB is Yachimovitch and Peretz... you think that will improve things? And the disease in Israel started when my fellow Zionists voted for the worthless Wiezman over the backboned Brandise. Everything you do not like about Israel has a name: Social Justice, not individual responsibility and many of your friends are calling for more of this "social justice" poison. Is it any wonder why you do not want to be here where you can get sick?
29. Stay
michael Pielet ,   israel   (09.02.12)
Israel is a bettter place without you. Stay in Vancouver.
30. (I'm single, but I hope my time will come)
dmitry ,   israel   (09.02.12)
As someone who grew up in Vancouver, but is now living and Israel, I recently looked up some statistics. Vancouver and Havana are two major cities in North America that have the lowest fertility on the continent. The rate of marriage is also significantly lower than in Israel. This correlates well to what I remember and what I see around me here. Thus, statistically speaking, even if your time to stop being single does come, your time to have children won't. Sorry... A plus is that you are an immigrant and they usually have more children, but I'm betting one for you maximum if lucky.
Next talkbacks
Back to article