Majority of the response shows very strong bonds. No surprise here, it is as expected.
I have one question for all non-Israeli Jews. How can you be American or British and yet have full support and loyalty for another country? If the U.S. and Israel were at war, which side would you take?
Kareemstein Avi, New York, United States of America
There is no alienation. Jews everywhere are aware that Israel could be their safe haven. However, Jews have always been accused of "dual" loyalty, meaning they were more loyal to Israel than to the country they live in. We learned to abhor this accusation. When I raised my son, I always told him that loving Israel is compatible with loving America, one and the same.
Batya Dagan, Los Angeles, United States of America
Most Jews in the organized community support Israel unequivocally with little regard for ethical considerations. An increasing number of marginalized Jews see Israel as an embarrassment and a mistake. Too few Jews see the complexity of the situation, understand that Israel is fundamental to our existence and realize that coaxing her, even against her will, towards a just political settlement is the most Zionist thing we can do.
Doron Isaacs, Johannesburg, South Africa
The past four years of violence have seen renewed interest in and support for Israel on the part of many Diaspora Jews.
Shalom Freedman, Jerusalem, Israel
The past four years of violence have seen renewed interest in and support for Israel on the part of many Diaspora Jews. The real problem of the Jewish people is the growing assimilation and aging of the world Jewish population. There is also a problem with the ultra-Orthodox and that part of them which is anti-state and ahistorical. We need new leaders with real vision who can inspire our people to greater love and devotion to Israel and to each other.
Shalom Freedman, Jerusalem, Israel
Unfortunately, many Diaspora Jews indentify with Israel only as an insurance policy. They see it as something nice to have in the background and to know that it's there if disaster should ever strike. Their first loyalty is to the countries in which they live. World Jewry needs to understand that without Israel they would simply cease to exist and likewise without the Jewish nation there would be no Jewish state. Jews must understand that their first loyalty no matter where they live must be to Israel.
Joel K., South Africa
Here in South Florida, support for Israel has never been more visible. There have been several rallies, and shows of support, including frequent trade fairs to promote Israeli goods and businesses, and a constant show of support in local Jewish media. Support for Israel, appears to be strong and unwavering. The welfare of Israel and the Diasapora are inextricably linked.
Ian Goldberg, Boca Raton, United States of America
The Israeli population is not representative of world Jewry.
Virginia Wellens, San Luis Obispo, United States of America
A historical incident is relevant here. Frustrated by the lack of immigration to Israel and believing the cause was lack of Austrian aid, Prime Minister Golda Meir traveled to Austria and pounded her complaints on the desk of the Jewish Austrian Chancellor. He explained that most European Jews absolutely did not wish to emigrate to Israel, prefering England, the U.S., Australia - almost any other country. Now, as then, the Israeli population is not representative of world Jewry. Certainly the moral and civilized values, willingness to assume financial responsibilities, and so on, appear increasingly distinct.
Virginia Wellens, San Luis Obispo, United States of America
Israel is and has always been world Jewry. When I visited Israel for the first time, I knew I was home in ways that I could not feel anywhere else in the world. We are one people with one homeland and many opinions. There will always be self-hating Jews(unfortunately), secular Jews, religious Jews, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, right-wing, left-wing, etc., but we are all Jews and Israel is our homeland.
David Landman, Natick, United States of America
World Jewry are as united as ever. They need each other. Every Jew in the world knows that. I say this as a Holocaust survivor who realizes it more than most. Unfortunately, some in the ultra-religous community attempt to restrict those they do not consider Jewish enough, and propose the redefinition of the Law of Return. This could prove to be disastrous.
Steve Gure, Coconut Creek, United States of America
Jews in the Diaspora usually support Israel in theory, but not in practice.
Aaron Harel, Broward, United States of America
Jews in the Diaspora usually support Israel in theory, but not in practice. Jews in the Diaspora, especially in America live in almost complete safety, and feel they have the right to criticize the Israeli government's actions and offer 'peaceful' alternatives while not realizing the full extent of the problems Israel faces. European and leftist American political sentiment in my opinion will cause support for Israel to decline.
Aaron Harel, Broward, United States of America
Most Jews are very pro-Israel. Many my age talk about making aliyah as soon as they are 18. Most anti-Israel Jews are just assimilated self-haters. I've only met one anti-Israel Jew who was not secular, and she was one of those people who only listen to CNN and comments made by the UN. But when active Jews in the community find out that I have a positive connection to Israel, they tend to treat me with a lot more respect.
Raz Olch, Denver, United States of America
Those in the world who care to call themselves Jewish will always see Israel as an inalienable part of Jewish people. Family remains family, no matter what happens. It is only in the fantasy of the Haaretz lefties the bonds are breaking. It is also a fantasy of the Jewish Anarcho-Bolshevist Left to see Israel disappeared from the map of the world, because Israel makes them look bad in the eyes of the "revolutionary" mobs.
Faivus Brauer, Fair-Lawn, NJ, United States of America
If there really is a growing divide between Diaspora Jews and Israel, it may be because they no longer see Israel as the lone country sticking up for Jews.
Avraham Goldberg, New York, United States of America
If there really is a growing divide between Diaspora Jews and Israel, it may be because they no longer see Israel as the lone country sticking up for Jews all over the world. Israel is now undergoing debates on how to remove Jewish civilians from homes in order to create a judenrein area of land. If that is what the government is doing, why should secular Diaspora Jews feel the need to stand up for Israeli policies? That factor combined with a trend of moral equivalency among the liberal secular Jews spells grave danger for Diaspora support from a great deal of Jews.
Avraham Goldberg, New York, United States of America
Diaspora Jews could do better than root for Israel by remote control from thousands of miles away. Now is the time to stand up and be counted by doing. Yes, each one of you can move mountains if you will it. Rooting will not make your vested interest in Israel stronger.
Nat Ben Menachem, Jerusalem, Israel
The radicalization of Israeli Jews will indeed bring them further from the Diaspora values. When the question will be "equal rights" in the bi-national state, the gap will widen even further. "Taxation without representation" is another thing that sooner or later will have to be corrected.
Johanes Franzen, Stockholm, Sweden
Not a separation, but two Israels: one moderate and one mired in religious fundamentalism. The religious right in Israel might want to frame the issue of support for Israel as including blind support for its policies with the Palestinians, but one can still love Israel, be a Jew and be opposed to some of the stringent, sometimes criminal measures the right proposes.
Mitch Wiznitzer, Miami, United States of America
This is an obnoxious question, trying to differentiate Israel from "world Jewry."
Stude Ham, Outremont, Canada
This is an obnoxious question, trying to differentiate Israel from "world Jewry". We are the same and what is really wrong is that there are those who would surreptitiously make that distinction for some scurrilous dogmatic agenda.
Stude Ham, Outremont, Canada
The Jewish communities in the Diaspora do still support Israel in many, many ways. There is nothing wrong with these communities criticizing Israel when the need arises. Diaspora Jews shouldn't be expected to blindly support Israel no matter what.
Eli Michaels, London, England |
