ZGram - 11/21/2002 - "Anti-Semitism in Israel Growing"

[irimland@zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

November 21, 2002

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

What must it feel like being so disliked even by one's 'relatives'!

[START]

Anti-Semitism in Israel Growing

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

November 21, 2002

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

What must it feel like being so disliked even by one's 'relatives'!

[START]

Anti-Semitism in Israel Growing

Anti-Semitic feelings in Israel growing

The immigrants, who come to Israel from Russia and other countries of 
the former Soviet Union are considered to be the major reason for the 
development of anti-Semitic sentiments in Israel. As it has been 
said, these immigrants basically only have distant relatives who were 
Jews. The so-called promised land is currently considering 
restricting immigration from Russia.

According to the London newspaper the Sunday Telegraph, the number of 
racist incidents grows every day in the Jewish state. These incidents 
include violence and insults, drawing swastika on houses, and 
desecration of cemeteries. Because of the growing anti-Semitism in 
Israel, the Israeli government might reconsider it's immigration 
policy.

Yuli Edelstein, the Minister for Absorption of New Immigrants, was 
one of the first statesmen who set forth such an idea. The official 
is concerned about the growth of anti-Semitic sentiments in Israel. 
He stated that the policy of Jewish agencies to attract more 
immigrants to the country is too zealous.

Edelstein has already had some meetings with the administration. He 
suggested the filtration of undesirables, who will not follow Jewish 
traditions and customs. A recent opinion poll conducted among 
immigrants from Russia showed that 70% of them are not considered 
Jews according to Jewish religious law.

The problem is intensified with the fact that the law of return 
guarantees a right to return to the "historic homeland" to anyone who 
has a Jew grandmother or a Jew grandfather. Now, the "homeland" is 
thinking over the necessity of inviting people who have distant 
Jewish relatives.

Rabbi Zalman Gilchensky researched anti-Semitic incidents in the 
"promised" land. Five hundred such incidents have been registered 
over the recent year. No wonder Rabbi initiated a campaign to change 
the law of return to Israel. The first demonstration in support of 
this change took place near the office of the Jewish Agency in 
Jerusalem last week. The Rabbi stated that the uncontrollable zeal of 
the agency to attract more immigrants is becoming more and more 
threatening for the country.

The agency itself is concerned about the growth of anti-Semitic 
incidents in Israel as well. However, it is not going to change its 
policy. According to their opinion, it would undermine the confidence 
of the Jewish community on the whole. The agency believes that the 
issue is ought to be solved with the help of education.


Sergey Borisov
PRAVDA.Ru

[END]

<http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/11/19/39699.html>http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/11/19/39699.html


The immigrants, who come to Israel from Russia and other countries of 
the former Soviet Union are considered to be the major reason for the 
development of anti-Semitic sentiments in Israel. As it has been 
said, these immigrants basically only have distant relatives who were 
Jews. The so-called promised land is currently considering 
restricting immigration from Russia.

According to the London newspaper the Sunday Telegraph, the number of 
racist incidents grows every day in the Jewish state. These incidents 
include violence and insults, drawing swastika on houses, and 
desecration of cemeteries. Because of the growing anti-Semitism in 
Israel, the Israeli government might reconsider it's immigration 
policy.

Yuli Edelstein, the Minister for Absorption of New Immigrants, was 
one of the first statesmen who set forth such an idea. The official 
is concerned about the growth of anti-Semitic sentiments in Israel. 
He stated that the policy of Jewish agencies to attract more 
immigrants to the country is too zealous.

Edelstein has already had some meetings with the administration. He 
suggested the filtration of undesirables, who will not follow Jewish 
traditions and customs. A recent opinion poll conducted among 
immigrants from Russia showed that 70% of them are not considered 
Jews according to Jewish religious law.

The problem is intensified with the fact that the law of return 
guarantees a right to return to the "historic homeland" to anyone who 
has a Jew grandmother or a Jew grandfather. Now, the "homeland" is 
thinking over the necessity of inviting people who have distant 
Jewish relatives.

Rabbi Zalman Gilchensky researched anti-Semitic incidents in the 
"promised" land. Five hundred such incidents have been registered 
over the recent year. No wonder Rabbi initiated a campaign to change 
the law of return to Israel. The first demonstration in support of 
this change took place near the office of the Jewish Agency in 
Jerusalem last week. The Rabbi stated that the uncontrollable zeal of 
the agency to attract more immigrants is becoming more and more 
threatening for the country.

The agency itself is concerned about the growth of anti-Semitic 
incidents in Israel as well. However, it is not going to change its 
policy. According to their opinion, it would undermine the confidence 
of the Jewish community on the whole. The agency believes that the 
issue is ought to be solved with the help of education.


Sergey Borisov
PRAVDA.Ru

[END]

<http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/11/19/39699.html>http://english.pravda.ru/main/2002/11/19/39699.html