In the wake of the terror attacks in Paris, some Israeli politicians have called on French Jews to move to Israel. Critics argued that it was not the place of Israel’s leaders to make such an appeal and, furthermore, that it is in Israel’s interest to have the continued support of Diaspora communities. Taking a more nuanced view, Yaakov Amidror stipulates that, on the one hand, Israel’s “situation would be better in every way if twice as many Jews lived” there:
It would be easier to deal with internal issues such as preserving the state’s Jewish character. It would be simpler to develop the economy, since it is hard to base a national economy on just eight million citizens. A potential enlistment pool twice as large would make it easier to deal with security problems, to name just a few examples. . . .
In addition, Israel must not base its relationship with the U.S. or with other democratic countries on the “Jewish connection” alone. It is better for future relations . . . if it is clear that the relationship is based on mutual interests and on the support that stems from shared values, which Israel promotes in a challenging region.
On the other hand, Amidror writes that “Of course, as long as Jews live in those countries, mutual involvement must be nurtured seriously and the connection between those communities and Israel must be strengthened.”
Read more on Israel Hayom: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=11495