Israel must ask why Jews overseas are marrying out, and why Israelis leave Israel. They marry out because religion everywhere is in decline, thank goodness, and Judaism is more meaningless than most with its mess of unjustifiable and highly restrictive rules on diet and Saturdays, not to mention the rest. Israelis leave Israel because the price of staying is not only low pay and incompetent bureaucracy but, since the 90s, the sacrifice of one's money and energy, even one's life, to supporting the mad right wing Haredi fantasy of Greater Israel. Life is simply saner elsewhere. Make peace, reform the religion, and people will stay.

lol. why would anyone with any sense and means to live outside of israel, not do so? this flawed state needs to understand that the "homeland" excuse will not work forever. if they want to keep jews in israel, then its about time they fix the corrupt government system who takes from those who give and return no favors.

As a child of yordim, I have to differ with the notion that we don't feel Israeli. I certainly do, and always will, and I grew up with many others that felt Israeli as well and that still do. I am not complacent about the problems of maintaining this identity in the diaspora, and I don't mean to suggest that the emigration is not a problem. It certainly is. Nor do I think that being an Israeli abroad is anything comparable to being an Israeli in Israel. But the Israeli identity does not fade as quickly as some believe.

well how else are the ultra religious going to finance their dozen children and non-working lifestyle? how else are israeli-arabs, who denounce and condemn israel at every opportunity, going to fund their 3 wifes each with a dozen children? obviously there is no money for those citizens who serve 3 years (or more) in the army and then pay high taxes for low paid jobs the rest of their lives.

It is the fault of rabbinical teaching, if we would believe Mosje, then this problem would not exist , and then there would be min. 50 000000 Jews . Because then a child would be Jewish trough the father or through the mother.

The sabra ethos just doesn't work anymore. In the US there is an embedded culture of live and let live, of collective destiny, of basic civility. You don't have the ill mannered driving, the inability to wait in line, and the rampant "me-ism", The yordim who encounter the nicety of chu'l think that they landed in Heaven. This is beyond the economic benefit. Unless they have a huge spiritual motive, and they can overcome the Americanization of their children, they can't make the step down to return.

The high taxes are not the problem. In scandinavian countries the people pay most taxes but they get a 1st class social security system. The police PROTECTS the people, health care for everyone, free kindergarten and school, cheap housing etc. The problem in Israel is that the money goes directly to the military-industrial complex.

and it's the worst form of anti-meritocracy and one of the worst causes of the brain-drain. Brains, who were affluent, highly experienced and highly respected in the U.S. with a proven track record, come with great hopes, and can't see -- or believe -- these ills for the first few years. But after 2-4 years they leave because they were asked to work for free, taken advantage of, lucky if they worked for peanuts to make their masters wealthy, and then thrown away. I speak from decades of experience in Israel. Israelis, get a clue

.... that the billions of shekels that pour into the Israeli treasury from expats is worthy of mention. Some ignore their fiscal responsibilities. Most do not.

The bottom line of this article is Israel should be encouraging diaspora Jews to come here period. Be zionists and build the Jewish homeland. To the Old Israeli who comments here. I was not born here but have lived here for 38 years,we tilled the soil and were farmers my husband served in the IDF, after that we re-invented ourselves and did other things. It is not east but we are still here, our sons are here and no one is leaving. Yes there are problems with the government and bureaucracy etc. life is not easy SO WHAT? You can find that everywhere. You love this country or you leave it. Those who go are missing out on the greatest adventure in Jewish history.

People move around and nowhere in the world but in Israel it is an issue. Those Israelis with delusions of grandeur need to face reality, Israel is a tiny country with very limited resource and opportunities and YES it is being handsomely supported by US, Germany and the world Jewry. So love your country but do not forget to take your medication… I live in both countries and I love the US much better. Deal with that!

Sarkozy, said the same thing as you did about France - "you love it or you leave it"! What kind of judgment is that? It's so demagogue ! It doesn't leave space to criticism at all. What are you? A dictator?

The state is a heavy fossil apparatus, wich survives by keeping the price of building artificially high ; the Minhal Mekarkay Israel is a machine milking the citizens who must pay 30 years of loans to the bank.In Israel you end up paying twice the price of basic needs: housing :you pay full price to the kablan and again full price to the bank during the 30 years loan.That' s an absurd rip-off . If the state would open the land available for building it would really help the Citizen instead of helping the banks.When strangled by bank loans the citizens turn more and more selfish and it destroy the social fabric.Therefore you see more yordim and more selfishness.For 30 years Israel was a true society of equality then came a pseudo-liberalization for the good of the banks not for the good of the citizens.

Lapid stop whining and fix the problem. Here are some suggestions : 1.lower taxes on cars-guess what most of the young and middle class actually have to get around -all in all the taxes you gain are minimal 2. one exit price for cars -why should private individuals subsidize the car leasing companies what a scam 3.lower taxes -many of us earn well but have nothing to show for it after all the hidden and open taxes 4. build family size apartments - actually do it don't just talk and pretend to do it - buy the way don't waste your money on small apartment they are not practical for anyone other than pensioners students and some rather unsavory professions .

In the long run its an individual choice Jewishness whether zionist Judaism Or Satmar Chasidic or Atheistic Internationalist .History has taught a searing Lesson the Jews need a Land in their ancient Borders with Iron clad security .Every Jew to their best extent needs support a Jewish Human Rights Democracy with Maximalism in Security.

As one who loves Israel, I believe that Israel needs a strong diaspora of Jews too.

This article & talk backs have to be the MOST depressing opinions I have ever read. My parents left Israel in the 1960, when I was a baby. My brother returned five years later and is still there today.My children have immigrated to Israel 5 years ago.Why you may ask?They were given a good and strong religious/Zionist education and therefore realize the importance of Israel to Jewish survival. Yes, it is not economically easy to live in Israel, but the same is true of North America. My Israeli nieces came to visit me (Canada) and were dazzled by everything. I was completely appalled because they did not see the hardships behind the screen. It is not easy to live anywhere, but Jews must stay in Israel and make it a better place to live.

I leave in prestigious part of the pretty European town in spacious 3 rooms apt and pay LESS than my son in Nachlaot Jerusalem for small studio flat. This is only one example of many others regarding cost and quaility of living. To be a mid class in Israel is as to robbed daily. It's absolutely normal to be pragmatic and to look for better pay WW. It's absolutely immoral to be raped and say you enjoy it. Israeli is a great country, but UNFORTUNATELY is not a right place for academics.