A new bill has recently been proposed in the Knesset that would require the Israeli government to consult Jewish leaders in the Diaspora on laws pertaining to matters that are of particular importance to all of world Jewry. One example mentioned by Labor Party Knesset member, Merav Michaeli, is Israel's laws regarding the recognition of non-Orthodox streams of Judaism, or rather lack thereof. The bill already has the endorsement of the Diaspora Affairs ministry. It is imperative that the Knesset and government reject this proposal.
Israel is a sovereign country and must remain a sovereign country. Its policies must be determined by one sector alone: Israeli citizens. Inasmuch as Israel is the national homeland of the Jewish people, it does not belong to all Jews, any more than France belongs to all people of French descent scattered around the world. France belongs to French citizens, and in the same respect, Israel belongs to Israeli citizens.
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Although I am an Israeli citizen, I live outside of Israel, so I am well aware of some of the concerns that members of the Jewish Diaspora have. For example, I too would like to see the Israeli government recognize non-Orthodox streams of Judaism and give them equality before the law. I also believe, however, that it is the citizens of Israel alone, through the politicians that they elect, who should determine whether or not the Orthodox monopoly on Judaism in Israel continues. The Israeli government should not be required to consult with anyone other than their own citizens in regards to any law that is passed in the Knesset. To do so would compromise Israeli sovereignty.
Besides, members of the Jewish Diaspora already have too much influence over Israel's affairs. In fact, some of Israel's laws mandate that Jews abroad have both a voice and the authority to make decisions that affect Israeli government policy. One prime example of this is the law regarding the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and its operating arm, the Jewish Agency, passed in 1952. This law gives these organizations the mandate for bringing Jews into Israel. In effect, the law gives the WZO and the Jewish Agency control over Israel's immigration policy. But if you know what the WZO is, you know that the assembly that governs it is made up of mostly Diaspora Jews. Hence, foreigners have effective control over Israel's immigration policies. I know of no other country that allows foreigners to have control over its immigration policy. Moreover, immigration isn't the only area in which Diaspora Jews exercise undue control over Israel.
Another important law, known as Basic Law: Israel Lands, gives the Jewish National Fund (JNF) governing authority over various public lands in Israel. But the JNF is not an Israeli organization. Rather, it is a non-profit organization primarily funded by Diaspora Jews. Part of the authority given to the JNF is exercised through the powerful Israel Lands Administration (ILA). In fact, by law, nearly half the members of the Israel Lands Council, which governs the ILA, must be representatives of the JNF. Hence, not only do foreigners have control over Israel's immigration policy, but they also have significant power over how Israel manages public lands.
I would contend that not only must the Israeli government reject the aforementioned proposal to require consultation with Diaspora Jews on certain matters of government policy, but it must also act to eliminate the power that Diaspora Jews already have over Israel. Therefore, the Israeli government should amend the Basic Law: Israel Lands to abolish the role of the JNF on public lands. The government should also abolish the requirement for representatives of the JNF to be on the Israel Lands Council. In addition, the Israeli government should take direct control of all matters concerning immigration to Israel, removing the role of the WZO and the Jewish Agency.
Non-Israeli Diaspora Jews must understand that inasmuch as they care about Israel, they do not have the right to make and implement policy in the country. Israel is a sovereign state, and although it is the national homeland of the Jewish people, it belongs first and foremost to its citizens.
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