Is Israel ready for a large-scale aliyah? Does Israel still want it? These questions came to mind repeatedly during my visit to Australia last week while I was speaking with Jewish leaders.
Australian Jewry is unique among Diaspora communities. Founded as a penal colony by the British at the end of the 18th century, Australia was settled by convicted criminals, among them Jews. I met AustralianJews whose families had been in the country for eight generations. They and the roughly 118,000 other Jews feel fully at home in Australia — that is, until now.
Two days after the October 7 attack, pro-Palestinian protesters shouted “gas the Jews” outside the Sydney Opera House which had been lit up in blue in sympathy for Israel. Apart from detaining an Israel supporter — supposedly for his own safety — the police did nothing. Since then, the number of antisemitic incidents in Australia have skyrocketed, including multiple acts of arson, the defacement of homes, cars and synagogues, and even an attempted bombing.
Most shocking was the video posted by two nurses who claimed that would kill Israeli patients. One of them has been arrested, and harsher penalties have been legislated for hate crimes. None of these measures, though, have restored the Australian Jews’ sense of security. The leftwing government has broken with decades of friendship with Israel, condemning in the UN and accusing us of committing war crimes. At a recent UN summit, Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with the Iran’s ambassador but snubbed Israel.
Much of the antisemitism in Australia emanates from the rapidly growing Muslim community, now numbering over 1 million. Politicians increasingly curry their vote. Iran is also active, reportedly hiring local thugs to carry out antisemitic attacks. Demographics is destiny and, as their community shrinks, many Australian Jews realize that their situation will only grow worse. As one Australian Jewish activist told me, “I feel now that Australia is merely a temporary stopover for Jews.”
Highly educated and Zionist, Australian Jews would stimulate Israel’s economy and fill its army’s ranks with motivated soldiers. The 18,000 Americans who made aliyah between 2002 and 2008, for example, brought in more than a billion shekels.
But is Israel ready for a wave of Australian olim? Zionist ideology says “of course,” but recent experience suggests, “maybe not.”
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A decade ago, during the sharp rise in antisemitism in France, many French Jews expressed an interest in making aliyah only to be discouraged by the state. They had difficulty finding jobs and affordable housing. The diplomas of doctors and lawyers were not recognized by the state. Consequently, the majority of French Jews who emigrated chose Britain, Canada and the United States. Israel missed an historic opportunity.
I was in government at the time and was shocked to discover the lack of support for mass aliyah. The general sentiment was that the country was too crowded already, short on jobs and apartments, and no longer willing to pay for the immigrants’ absorption. These attitudes contradicted the very core of Zionism, which was to ingather the exiles from throughout the world into our ancient homeland.
Michael OrenMiraculously, in the face of rocket fire and terror, aliyah has increased during this war. Antisemitism certainly is playing a role as Jews around the world, most notably in the United States, feel more secure in Israel than anywhere else. This is an historic moment, one that transforms Israeli society much as the Soviet aliyah transformed Israel 30 years ago.
While Israel must insist that the governments of Australia and other Western countries must do more to defend their Jewish citizens, we must also reiterate our commitment – and our desire – for new olim. Welcoming them would not only bring new energy, resources and hope to our beleaguered society but send an unequivocal message of Zionist willpower to our enemies and the world.
Michael Oren is an American-Israeli diplomat, essayist, historian, novelist and politician, who served as the former Israeli ambassador to the United States