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World's Jews are horrified

Israel's image in eyes of Jews abroad dreadful; how can we change it?

When the Olmert-led government was sworn in, I spoke with friends who are among the leaders of the US Jewish community, and all they said was: "This isn't serious." The appointment of "friends" or "coalition considerations" to senior government posts in a country facing strategic and tactical threats is an irresponsible, immature act.

 

This isn't the only point where Israel's image as reflected in the world does not attest to stability. This image is also starting to frighten our friends, who are becoming concerned.

 

Last week I returned from the GA conference in Los Angeles. Once a year, the heads of North America's Jewish federations convene for important discussions on matters of Judaism, pluralism, education, and Israel. This year they devoted much attention to the war and its results. The Iranian threat and its implications were also there. Yet the slogan behind the speakers was the one that drew my attention – the same slogan also used by the Jewish Agency – Peoplehood.

 

About three years ago I participated in a convention of the "Kol Dor" organization. The group is made up of young Jews from across the world. Those are good, idealistic people in their thirties who seek to develop the connection to Judaism at "eye level."

 

Because of my familiarity of the state of Jewish communities in the world, I thought that was a wonderful opportunity. Until I realized their objective: Israel is no longer the center, but rather, just another community – at eye level…there are communities in Paris, Sydney, New York, and also in Israel. And now, one of the heads of the Jewish federations told me this week: Israel is not a unique community.

 

Soros bypassing AIPAC 

The term "peoplehood" says in fact that the Jewish people is at the center, rather than the nationalism that was expressed through the establishment of the State of Israel. This attitude is reminiscent of the ultra-Orthodox community's alienation to the State and its institutes. The motive is different, yet the result is similar.

 

What happened to make part of world Jewry no longer see Israel as the center of Jewish aspirations? We can say, as I was told by Israeli officials, that they are "looking for an excuse to remain in the Diaspora."

 

Yet we have to understand: Most Jews who live across the ocean do not think they are in the Diaspora. Those of them who are interested have access to Jewish education, synagogues are flourishing in all branches, the communities and community institutions are brimming with activity, and the economic situation is excellent (mostly in developed countries.). From there, they examine the alternative.

 

The Jews who live abroad view Israel through the international media's prism, and are horrified. They see existential threats on the outside and government and moral chaos on the inside. If that's the country, and if that's its leaders' morality, the British press may indeed be right to hold discussions on Israel's survivability.

 

This analysis also has practical implications: More and more communities are investing their resources internally – more Jewish education, more local welfare, more community development. Investment in Israel is declining.

 

It goes up when we have an emergency call-up, and even then an analysis of the donors shows almost all the money comes from the large, traditional donors. Almost no money comes from the communities themselves. An emergency convention of a federation that raised USD 2.8 million drew hundreds of members. The venue was filled to capacity. Zero dollars were raised…

 

I believe the State of Israel isn't doing enough to boost the connection between us and our brothers overseas. I think there's great willingness there, and by adopting the current approach we're missing out on it. Yet we should be listening to the new voices: Billionaire George Soros is establishing an organization that would compete with the Jewish lobby, AIPAC. Its objective is to tell the Administration in Washington that not every Israeli requests is commensurate with American interests; Not every AIPAC request should be accepted.

 

Soros, who is known for his blatantly leftist views, could greatly weaken the strategic alliance. He's also undermining the mutual trust between the nations.

 

Stop apologizing 

Where is all this leading and what should we be doing? Our true security does not start in the Defense Ministry; It starts at the Education Ministry, passes through welfare, continues through our connection to communities overseas (that is, the way we present ourselves to the outside), and is expressed during times of security crisis.

 

Had Israel possessed genuine deterrence, we would not need to use military power. This repair must be undertaken on two fronts: The "What" and the "How." We must revive the belief in Zionism's righteousness in the past and present, with the presentation of a vision for the future - this is the "What".

 

We must stop apologizing: We came to establish a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, and our right to it is not subjected to a demographic test. The recognition of civil rights for a minority is a must, but personal human rights should not be leading to national rights. The fear of saying clear words does not allow us to present a clear position, and undermines our education and our ability to present ourselves to the outside world.

 

At the same time, as noted, we should be addressing the "How." The best people stopped going to the public service or to join politics. Regrettably, even some of the best IDF officers quit at early stages. The success of the high-tech industry comes thanks to those who are fed up with politics or the army.

 

We must present a vision for change in education in relation to the weak and different; boost law enforcement; fight for public integrity – a significant cultural change is required of us. The media, too, would have to change – to encourage and not only to seek controversy.

 

And the leadership, what about it? In his book, Altneuland, Herzl commented that the politicians would be those who do not desire the post. We have some people like this amongst us, yet today they are hiding and do not wish to enter the mire.

 

We have a wonderful people that looks like a herd without a shepherd. Only those who are shying away now can bring the change by joining the effort – a dramatic change in our situation in Israel and in the manner in which we are seen by communities abroad. But who has the courage to begin?

 

The writer heads the Gush Etzion regional council

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.08.06, 17:48
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