Leading politicians call for more North American aliyah
Praise for U.S.-Canadian impact in run-up to AACI conference
By Charlotte Halle
Prominent Israeli politicians this week called for increased aliyah from North America and praised the contributions of U.S. and Canadian immigrants to the state's development. They were interviewed by Anglo File as the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) prepared for a conference in early May to discuss the impact of North American aliyah. The conference is one of a series of events marking the 50th anniversary of the AACI.
Sharansky: 'A big impact'
Housing Minister Natan Sharansky (Yisrael B'Aliyah): "American aliyah may seem like it is coming from a different planet to Russian aliyah, but if you consider the grandparents [of American olim] and the shtetls and towns they came from, they are the people closest to us on the Jewish family tree. Also, American Jews were very active in our struggle, so we feel very close to them.
"Though [American immigrants] are relatively small in number - and a lot can be done to make this number bigger - they have a big impact in Israel because of their strong tradition of democracy. It is so important to give individuals the power to act, to influence and to challenge things they disagree with. This feeling of public activity, which is very strong among immigrants from the U.S., is lacking in Israeli society. When I founded the Soviet Jewry Zionist Forum in 1988, we learned many things from the AACI about creating an independent body for immigrants.
"They gave us much advice, we ran joint ventures together and coordinated our efforts. From all the immigrant organizations, we felt it was most comfortable and most useful to work with the AACI."
Beilin: 'An honor'
Former justice minister Yossi Beilin (Labor): "The greatest challenge for Israel and the Zionist movement is aliyah from welfare countries, because most immigrants came to Israel from countries with lower living standards. Even if the numbers of immigrants from the United States and Canada - at least those who stayed - is not high, the fact that tens of thousands decided to leave North America is an honor for them and for the State of Israel."
Yahalom: 'A fine example'
'MK Shaul Yahalom (National Religious Party): "I am happy to hear about any aliyah. Only when all Jews are in Israel can we be sure of the future of the Jewish people. When I think of American immigrants, I think of the elite in Israel, working the best professions and reaching the highest levels within those professions, including those from religious society. They offer a fine example of how to combine religion with science and life - living their life according to the Torah and yet working in all kinds of professions.
"The many graduates of Yeshiva University in Israel have brought us this combination. Many ultra-Orthodox think that to follow Torah, we must be in yeshiva all the time. [These American olim] strengthen our outlook, that we can combine Torah and life."
Livnat: 'Total identification'
Education Minister Limor Livnat (Likud): "Shulamit Aloni has said that every aliyah from any country in the world is important to our very existence. As for aliyah from the U.S., they arrived out of free choice and total identification with the Zionist institution.
"The Jewish bodies in the U.S., particularly those that deal with education and Jewish identity, know very well that the future of Jewish youth in the U.S. and Canada is related to their connection to Israel, and therefore work to bring young people to Israel and deepen Jewish education and tradition."
Porush: 'We need more'
MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism): "We need all Jews to live in the Land of Israel, and we are very sorry that more are not coming. We hope that more American Jews will think it worthwhile to live here, as they should all come. For me, there is no difference if immigrants come from America or anywhere else. If they live in Israel as Jews, this is what is important."
Aloni: Mixed feelings
Former education minister Shulamit Aloni (Meretz): "On the one hand, I would like more [North Americans] to come to Israel. I think of the Reform movement and the new spirit they brought to this country.
"I think of the beautiful, liberal Jewish people, who are open-minded and have a strong connection to Israel. On the other hand, I think of Meir Kahane and his zealots, who are trouble-makers.
© copyright 2001 Ha'aretz. All Rights Reserved
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LETTERS
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