.....that some of us are fed up paying the price for .....
As an Israeli, I Don’t Want a Dime of My Taxes Going to Jews in Diaspora
It isn’t that I’m mad at the Jews of America. On the contrary. I don’t nurse any grudge against them. But I also don’t feel any sense of responsibility for them.
Uri Misgav Aug 19, 2016
Trying to access the Diaspora Affairs Ministry website requires a lot of patience. The site explains (in Hebrew) that a sub-site “Explaining Israel” is being upgraded and should be back on line soon. I hope the delays aren’t due to a budget crunch. There is, after all, money for “strengthening Jewish identity” and “activity on behalf of Israel” in America (“Orthodox to lead government outreach to Diaspora youth,” Haaretz, August 16.)
A lot of money: 80 million shekels paid for by the Israeli taxpayer and another 170 million shekels from donations. That money could be used for other purposes in Israel.
The criticism leveled at the program so far has concentrated on the prioritization of the ultra-Orthodox community, the failure to coordinate with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the prominent positions of West Bank settlers – all of which are indeed grounds for concern. But discussion at the macro level is also necessary, even if it means taking on a sacred cow.
(snip)
By the same token, Israel doesn’t have too many rights beyond its boundaries, not over “Jewish values” or over “affiliation with Israel.” If the entire goal is, ultimately, to maintain a political lobby in Congress and a philanthropic system (in Jewish circles: schnorr), it is about time that this 68-year old country grew up in those respects as well. Because to pour Israeli money on American Jews is truly the essence of absurdity.
read more: http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.737606
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