Yet again, we hear a painfully familiar story: a young Muslim jihadist goes on a killing spree and rattles tranquil Europe to its core. As Israeli Jews, our instinct is to call out to our brethren in the Diaspora to come home, to make aliyah before it is too late.
It is dangerous there, we tell them. You are exposed to anti-Semitism left and right over there. The leaders of your countries practically refuse to acknowledge the existence of radical Islam. All the while, Israel has been thriving for 70 years and has one of the best militaries in the world.
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No doubt, these words are said with good intentions. Still, hearing them often intensifies the feeling of disconnection in the Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
First of all, Israel is not exactly free of terrorist attacks. We tend to underestimate Europe's efforts, but we can't say that Israel fights terrorism with all its might when it refuses to deduct terrorists' salaries from taxes Israel collects on the PA's behalf, and hold endless deliberations over every single time it needs to decide whether to raze a terrorist's home.
What we don't fully understand is that Jewish communities in the Diaspora have a deep connection not only to their Jewish identity and Israel but to their country of origin as well. French Jewish culture is rich and diverse because of its connection to the French language and heritage. British Jews are just as proud of their British identity as their Jewish one, if not more. And just by looking at the photos from prayers on the White House lawn, it is clear how American the American Jewry is – both religious and secular.
Millions of Jews around the world feel at home overseas. Some Jews do move to Israel after a terrorist attack; others feel they need to "protect their home," be it France, Austria, Sweden, or the US. Israel is always an option, but in this small, Middle Eastern country, they may not be able to live according to their values, to express Judaism as they understand it, and simply – to feel at home.
We should focus on making Israel an easier option to choose, even for those who do not have Zionism flowing through their veins. Recognition of academic certificates, employment and livelihood opportunities, affordable housing, quality education, reasonable cost of groceries, genuine respect for the immigrant's culture, all internal Israeli issues are of number one importance. Then when terrorism strikes around the world, we will be able to offer our brothers in the Diaspora an open door, and Jews will flock to the Land of Israel in masses not "despite" but mainly "thanks to."
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