Those who leave aren't simply after cheap pudding. They have been driven out by Israelis having made a mess of their country, that the expats love and want to live in again. Where there was hope for peace Netanyahu only offers land-grabbing. Where there was intelligence and fairness now fundamentalism and Haredi agendas rule. Where once there were Peres and Rabin there are now Liberman and Bennett. No wonder people leave, and no wonder they're angry.

Wonderful!! Very well said!! I've left Israel not once but twice and while I am sorry I cannot feel at home neither in Israel nor outside it, I do believe that if one is not inside Israel daily one should just shut up. Don't vote, don't argue and if you must talk outwardly talk only in a fully supportive manner. The rest of the world will only use your words against your friends and loved ones and... after all... it is not them you wish to hurt. The world would be a far worse place if not for Israel, so you don't have to live there, you don't have to love her... but, know what Israel is and what she brings to you even if she is not perfect.

That is why they will not be silent. It hurts to be underpaid for the sake of extremely rich who wish to be even richer by slashing the income of young families. They are not silent foreigners as you would like to have them, they just show the brutality of a work legislation which neglects the people who work hard in order to keep the investor happy.

He sounds like the bitter one...

Friends are writing for world first class papers in top first class cities.

If people would leave without telling others WHY they're leaving, the situation would never improve. Them leaving is a desperate move in the hope that Israeli politicians FINALLY listen. This angers Israeli authorities because they're being cornered and can't do anything about it. These people want to live in Israel, but it's being made impossible for them to live properly. They hope to return some day if things improve. So obviously they'll keep criticizing it. Now keep your opinions to yourself, your close mindedness and refusal to strive for improvement is sad and annoying.

I am agree with your point of view...but would love to understand why the israelians IN ISRAEL don't see us, olim hadashim, like that: ppl that want to start a new life and not stay forever thinking and living our past or with ppl from ther. Sometimes "you" don't leave us another choice...Whyyyyyy?????

Do you even claim that what these people are saying isn't true? Food here *is* too expensive, and I know this firsthand because I made aliyah two months ago from the States. I wouldn't blame the expats for caring about the living standard here. In fact, I would call into question the motives of someone who fails to criticize the government for making life here more difficult. Whose side are you on? Would you rather starve while achieving a silencing of criticism?

Very well said Yuval your comments were accurate and to the point.As for the Israelis who left. .I predict that within 2 generations their grandchildren will be celebrating Christmas.Do not doubt me as I see what is happening here in America.

American immigrants are all excited now about the NFL and wow-wow-we-wah the World Series, French immigrants cannot understand why a baguette in Israel is so dear, neighborhood restaurants specialize in koubeh, kebab, and couscous, the elderly here look for an Israel that disappeared 40 years ago. Israeli's in Israel are constantly walking around with their head on backwards why should the emigrants do anything different?

leaving, coming back, leaving again,....always bitterness, something is really wrong with this country, instead of blaming people for wanting to leave, why not trying to look for the real reasons behind it..

This excellent article expresses exactly how I and many other Israelis feel about the current onslaught of bile and anger from young (and not so young) people who have left Israel. As an Israeli grandma and an expat Brit who only came to this country after a chance meeting with an Israeli student in London (my husband of 50+ years), I can assure those people that we are well aware of the problems and difficulties in this country. We are also angry and frustrated at ongoing weak government policies in nearly every sector. We fear for our grandchildrens' future and yet we are still here. In short, we really don't need lectures from those who have chosen an easier life, because it was always going to be easier outside of Israel! I wish everyone well including those who have chosen to leave. It's a free country and their choice. But please remember that there are problems everywhere. My children and grandchildren have European passports but will they have a future there in a few years as the immigrant Muslim population grows in power?

"Your chocolate pudding is cheaper than ours, okay?" Loved the way you put it!! Kuddos.

Can we come back for a visit ???? we love vacation in ISRAEL.

that article was very childish in the way it was written. I understand your point, and as someone who made Aliya here 25 years ago, and stayed, a do also get the point. These people are most annoying but there are deeper issues here than their desire to throw mud in our faces....Its not a one dimentional question as you would suggest. Moreover one of the things Israel is proud of is the freedom of thought and speech that it affords its citizens. If we are proud of our democracy we must accept that like it or not.

and everybody had the right to express himself in right or in wrong. As for my advice : live and let live , everybody is entitled to an opinion. My dear article writer you shouldn't be so bitter about Israelis who left Israel for a better living, they might eventually come back if they want to. Shana Tova to everybody!!

a lovely article. full of home truths. especially since the land of israel IS the place traditional jews try to get buried in since it's HERE the resurrection occurs. or begins. also i find it quite acceptable for israelis to emigrate for jobs or better chances for their children, but i dont find it equally acceptable to exult in their cheaper grocery bills (if true). nor the cheaper housing (if true). i dont see europe (let alone berlin) the superior place to raise responsible jewish (whatever brand) children. and thank heavens israel exists --with its high food and housing and taxes-- to give these people a safety net to fall back on when europe --and elsewhere-- intolerates jews again. so yes, shut up, enjoy yourselves, pay your prices, of loss and gain, virtue if any and sin for sure.

Left behind the materialistic God and came to the land of friends and family (not my own). And you know what ? Israel is still the better place to be - even after I had traveled to most places in Europe - Guess I am acclimated or GLUED IN.

In my opinion people leave for the economic situation and not for the political one,or the war. A little more money for the gans cheaper universities ,,a little more time for resting or, going to the doctors , a little more vacations...and nobody would leave Israel

A lot of Israelis feel guilt when they leave so they need good excuses.Those that have served in the Army with distinction feel it less generally .

You apparently feel that you just have to preach and tell them your opinion. "They" express their feelings. I submit my opinion. The moderator/editor chuckles and suffers from the talkbacks. Some people move and migrate, the overwhelming majority stays in their native countries - whether it be Israel, Holland or Tunisia. Those who choose to stay in the remarkable State Of Israel should fight together in order to create better living conditions - fur alle.

Dan, The anger can be justified but only for economical reasons. It is indeed very hard for young people to live and save for their children' future. The monopoly granted to big corporations has been brought about by the ridiculous defense budget % as Israel has been at war well before 1948. Please allow me to tell you that, if you are REALISTIC, peace is NOT possible because there are NO sincere partners for peace. You cannot achieve peace with someone who wants to kill you or wishes to follow his RELIGIOUS Jihad, even if there are among them a few good peaceful ones. But the Arabs are not the only culprits, the West is even the main one as they created animosity against Israel. There is NO land grab, there is NO occupation, Judea Samaria were LEGALLY conquered in 1967, same as California, Texas... during the Mexico war: Nobody is qualifying them as land grab! Peres, Olmert and Rabin (z L) were dangerously ready to give away everything. For what in return? NOTHING! and it was knocked back by the Arabs anyway. PEACE CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED BY A SHOW OF FORCE. Although I do not always agree with the approach of Liberman and Bennett, they are at least showing strength that all labour politicians STOPPED showing. No there is no real issue politically and even the left parties rallied around the government during the Gaza War, that is, in itself a proof that NO party can achieve REAL peace. Once Bill Clinton asked Arafat why he did not sign the agreement with Israel as it was too good to be knocked back: Arafat responded that he would NOT sign his OWN DEATH ! These young people going to Berlin are fooling themselves as antisemitism has not disappeared in the whole of Europe and Germany, it is latent but well and truly existent for whoever WANTS to see it . Some are angry because, deep down they resent leaving and being economically ABANDONED by the country they love. Some are leaving to Berlin because they are snobs and want to show themselves as merciful, open minded (you wonder why Berlin!) And finally some are leaving because they want to identify with the West and swallow the predominant leftist and liberal (wrong) way of thinking. I wish good luck to these young people because they will NEED IT badly.

"It hurts to be underpaid for the sake of extremely rich who wish to be even richer by slashing the income of young families. ". You are not confused Israel with America? Where are you saw this "super rich" people? Maybe in Tel-Aviv. I live 21 years in Israel and never saw any "super rich" people in Israel. Maybe they all live abroad? Rich people live everywhere. In USA more rich people and underpaid poeple, than anywhere in the world. It Russia there are many millioners and billioners. Most of this, who leave Israle are people from the "me,me,me" generation. They demand everything for them. They demand peace with arabs, doesn't matter what they ask for it. They demand Cheap appartments,because they can live just in Tel-Aviv and cast of living there is huge. In return they did nothing to this country. Many of them even didn't go to army, because they didn't want to. You can go and live where grass is greener in your eyes. But don't cry a river, when people in this country, which full of anti-semits, whould attack you and made your life worse. Just yesterday I saw video from USA, where Jewish born in USA guys talk about anti-semitism in USA campuses. It's not a pretty picture and very soon it would be worse. You want to live where you are hated? Be my guest. But don't blame Israel for it. It was your choice.

Right on brother! If they want to leave let them leave and don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out! When they realize what its like raising kids in the Galut it will unfortunately be too late. Trading in their souls for materialism. How sad.

Just wanted to add, You just don't get it...that is so sad. I feel sorry for you

cottage cheese and chocolate pudding but religious nutcases that run my life is another matter all together.

Remove your zionist blindfolds and take a look, there's a lot of ugliness around you, roll up your sleeves and don't waste your time on bitching ,...

Another one with loyalty syndrom ,... "my daughter who is planning to move back after High School, join the IDF" ,... Why not US Marines or armed forces of country that provided a roof over her head and education? ,... No concept of loyalty ,...