they should simply change their names - - religion - everything and never look back the whole point of the last 2000 years was to return - if you leave - there is no point in not completely blending in and never looking back

lots of $$$$

Idan is right 100% about corruption in Israel and if some how that problem won’t stop. That will bring disastrous for the nation. But he is wrong 100% about IDF because there are many secretes astrologists in the war which the solders and civilians don’t know about that. Like second Lebanon war which the most majority of Israeli believes that IDF has been defeated by Hezbollah. But in reality that was great victory for Israeli intelligent service which the nation dose not understand. It is like chess game that some time the professional chess player will give chance to his opponent and make a wrong move for to make him confuse .The opponent will believe he is going to win .But suddenly he will realize that that was a trap. And here is my point IDF is strong and smart .And on the right time they know how to defeat our enemies’ .And we are not going to make anymore that mistake which our past generation did. We are not going to give up and will surrender to our enemies .We will stay and we will defends our land to the end of the world Am Israel Khay

This is a great piece, no no this is a MASTERPIECE, our struggle is bearing fruit, and along with this, the 1 million russian israelis who left to NYC is yet another proof. I salute you for trying to open up your fellow zionists' eyes.

and furhtermore, life isn't about running away from a situation you don't like. It is really pathetic. In most cases, I would try to argue some sense into someone like this. However, the best thing a valueless coward could do is leave.

the funniest part here is how the author claims running away is not chickening out. Certainly there are problems in israel. But I am not sure how I follow how the solution is to run away to canada, nz, australia, etc. this seems to be a rather childish reaction that says that if mommy and daddy don't give me what i want i will whine and complain about it. the attitutde seems to be that if there are problems and not perfect then the whole thing needs to be destroyed. this is like a child who wont accept something if it is perfect as some sort of way letting others know that he is not happy. i think this overreaction is an attempt to make the world (israel) suffer for not having provided something. it's like punishing momy and daddy by running away for not giving a bicycle (you will miss me when i am gone!!!). methinks the writer does protest too much. his exaggerations and failure to even attempt balance seems as though he is wildly trying to justify something he feels guilty about or simply lashing out someone or something. methinks he needs some sort of introspection. perhaps the problem is inside you and not out there in israel. perhaps we find it easier to blame things on our surroundings rather than seraching inside. being in israel ends physical exile. but it does not end spiritual exile. but ultimately the failure here is one of education and belief. clearly the writer needs to turn to judaism and to jewish history. there you will learn that the jews wanted to return to egypt and slavery because the hardship of being free people on a long journey to the promise land. but those who are in search of the promised land ar not a farid of a long journey and freedom

like the olmert's and peretz's who nearly ruined this country for feeling leftist enough. without that israel would not only be leading in high tec, medicine, etc., but also be a strong and respected country. and yes, the idf saves the life of the state every date and we believe in it

Kol Hakavod #9 well said!

SOME PEOPLE DONT LIKE TO HEAR THE TRUTH.SOMETIMES WE JUST LIVE HERE HOPING THINGS WILL GET BETTER CHANGE OF GOVERMENT MIGHT HELP

Do not feel so confident that Western countries, so welcoming to Jews at the moment, will remain so in the future. My beloved Canada had no problem interning the Japanese and other nationalities during WW2. Jews are well treated now, but in the recent past there were quotas in universities that limited their entry, and there were signs on beaches saying No dogs or Jews Allowed. Jews found it next to impossible to enter the country during the Holocaust or as survivors after the war. We should take nothing for granted. We could enjoy 'tolerance' (that word in itself is problematic) in the West for hundreds of years into the future, but we still need a strong Israel. Those of us who can't make aliya are extremely gratefull to the Jews in Israel who are sacrificing so much to protect the country.

Idan is right 100% about corruption in Israel and if some how that problem won’t stop. That will bring disastrous for the nation. But he is wrong 100% about IDF because there are many secretes astrologists in the war which the solders and civilians don’t know about that. Like second Lebanon war which the most majority of Israeli believes that IDF has been defeated by Hezbollah. But in reality that was great victory for Israeli intelligent service which the nation dose not understand. It is like chess game that some time the professional chess player will give chance to his opponent and make a wrong move for to make him confuse .The opponent will believe he is going to win .But suddenly he will realize that that was a trap. And here is my point IDF is strong and smart .And on the right time they know how to defeat our enemies’ .And we are not going to make anymore that mistake which our past generation did. We are not going to give up and will surrender to our enemies .We will stay and we will defends our land to the end of the world Am Israel Khay

I am prepared to come to Australia Will you give me a decent job

"Fools rush in where wise men dare to tred", Ishmael was told by Avraham to stay with the Jackass while he went up on the mount.... your reply proves his decision. We are not going anywhere but soon Ishmael will repent... stick around Hani to be part of that repentance

I think that the author is the one who is chickening out. First of all his evidence is skewed. Yes, many acadmmics leave Israel but stil Israel is the country with most published scientific papers per year per capita. And after all, weren't you taught to figh for what you believe in? Why are you "chickening out" and leaving. This is a 1930's Jewish mentality which we all know what it led to.

I don't understand why every negative and derogatory statement about this country has to be published and as a lead article. There are many wonderful things here. I am sorry that Mr. Ben Barak has not seen the "hesed" of so many people here or felt anything spiritual and meaningful. Perhaps Y Net should post some stories about goodness and kindness and living a Jewish life here.

And lucky for you, you're free to make it. We all are. And I chose to come here from Manhattan. NY, NY. The Goldena Medina. The true Promised Land ... or Land of Promise. You know why? Because the life here (Israel) *is* better. My kids are more free, we're not "the other" and no one makes nasty comments at/to/in front of my children because they're Jews anymore (yes, that happened regularly ... regularly! ... in Manhattan, on the liberal Upper West Side). Because for all the corruption and road rage and all of that here ... you'll see when you take off your rose-colored glasses that it's no different anywhere else. There are even crazed terrorists bent on killing Jews and everyone else there. As there are in Europe. And South America. And Australia. And you can disassociate yourself all you like, but they'll still find you when they want to (see: Hitler/Nazi/the Jewish question). If you don't want to live here, fine. Your choice. Gotta love you anyway. It's halakha. :-)

Many of us who now live in Israel came from the very countries you speak about. We don't have blinders on, we know what we are facing here on all levels. We left those countries because we are Jews and we belong in our Jewish state! The only way to make a change is for us to band together, quit fighting each other, the religious and the secular, and stand up for what is right and just and good. If we are all on the same team the kind of corruption and shameful leadership would not have a chance to exists. Everything else has been tried BUT us all pulling together. Why run away? Let's face our problems now and together!!!!!

Idan---- the usefull idiot Hani----- the Idiot.

Who said Zionism wasn't dead?

You could have a similar negative view anywhere. Look at all the Arabs in Sweden, France, Netherlands, Norway, etc. Some say its only a matter of time before those places fall. Anyway, moving isn't the answer.

What a sad and unfulfilling life you must lead Idan Ben Barak. You are just a nasty person trying to a paycheck. I know guys like you very well. Nothing is good enough. Stay where you are.

This is the same "the grass is always greener" argument that exist in EVERY country. Do you think that Canadians or Americans or especially Europeans don't feel the same way? Damn our curropt leaders, our liberal universities, our failed policies. Its the universal battle-cry. The only difference is that Israel has a technical term for this state of mind; its called "Jewish Kvetching" :)

"And meanwhile, the country is crumbling in our fingers. Slowly but surely." Good grief! What does Australia want with a guy who thinks like this! Scyooz us, Ben-Barak, but if you're in Aussieland and we're in Israel, then you're supposed to write "...crumbling in YOUR fingers." Obviously you're having separation pains. Maybe guilt for being in Aussie and not being in Israel and actively fighting for social justice. Sorry, Idan, but you simply don't make sense. The population here keeps growing, not shrinking - so that part of your thesis is bogus. Yes, there's corruption, but gosh golly darn gee-whiz....look under your pillow in Australia and guess what - corruption exists there too! The difference may be that Australian citizens fight to put the corrupt guys behind bars, and you simply haven't noticed that corrupt guys - rich ones too - go to jail in Israel too. As for "crumbling in our (your) fingers", Israel's GDP has never been larger, the infrastructure is sound, there's food on the shelves, medicine in the hospitals and drugstores, the electricity works, the water is still clean (ok, big problem there that you can move back and work on if you gave a hoot) and Israel (not Australia) is a world leader in hi-tech, medicine, and military might. And as for your totally bogus statement "Anyone who's worth anything in science and technology goes abroad to pursue a career" - that must be the reason why IBM, HP, AOL, Intel and others are heavily investing in Israel (not Australia). As my bubbie used to say, och'm vay, vy don't you find something smart to do mit your life???

Those that believe that attacking the author are avoiding the question of why many more Israelis are leaving for Western countries than arriving from them every year. Idan, Enjoy Austrailia. We'll keep the country going until you return. You'll be welcome whenever that is.

No. 64 made it clear that with Idan's attitude that the enemy is winning. Spoken like a true coward. Idan isn't the only coward the liberal media and our cowardly representatives in the U.S.A. and the leadership in Isreal are giving fodder to the enemy.

he is as rich as it gets. he visted israel, fell in love with it, and is moving there. this ben-barak is just a stupid loser. forget about what he says. he knows nothing.

Hey he's right so what are you gonna do whine about it or change it. Off your knees and on your feet. Throw the bums the Leftists and the Terrorists out. If not then you will never have the Israel you dream about. Just a corupt place where Jews devour Jews.

I am sorry for Ynet who had the innitiative to publish such stupid article and promote these ideas. I am sorry to know there are jews who left our beloved country and promote this crap. So sorry, really, what a disappointment.

Ynet....If you're going to give this guy a soap box then be even handed and allow others to refute this BS.

You would stab your mother for an extra buck. There are some concepts more valuable than money -maybe its time for the Israeli media to grasp that! LONG LIVE ISRAEL AND TRUE JEWS!!!