Press Release
Initiative marks Israel’s long term commitment to invest in Jewish themed programs in the Diaspora
The Israeli government approved the “Joint Initiative of the Government of Israel and World Jewry” at the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem today.
The Government of Israel-World Jewry Initiative was launched by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett with a clear objective – to ensure the security and growth of a vibrant Jewish future while enhancing the connection between the Jewish People and the State of Israel.
The government decision today is the first of two stages:
In the first stage, the government approved the establishment of a new organization that will spearhead the initiative and which will encompass a partnership between the Government of Israel, Jewish foundations and organizations, as well as private philanthropists from around the world.
The Initiative – funding for which will come from three sources: 1/3 from the Government of Israel, and at least 2/3 from the Organized Jewish World and private philanthropists – will have a budget of at least NIS 540 million over the next three years.
To finance the establishment of the new entity as well as its pilot programs, the government approved a budget of NIS 180 million over the next three years and reaffirmed its commitment to the current budget of NIS 400 million already designated for Diaspora programming.
After the new entity is up and running, in 2016 the government will be brought the second stage of the Initiative for approval which will call for an annual budget of NIS 800 million for Diaspora programming.
“This is a revolution in the State of Israel’s relationship with the Diaspora” Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Minister Naftali Bennett said after the cabinet decision. “This new entity will look at the Jewish world’s needs for the next 25 years and will find new ways to strengthen Jewish identity and bolster ties between the State of Israel and the Diaspora.”
Dvir Kahana, Director General of the Ministry of Jerusalem & Diaspora affairs said: “This initiative is a long term investment for Israel and the Jewish people. With anti-Semitism and assimilation on the rise around the world, we need to take every step we can to ensure Jewish peoplehood for future generations.”
“This new entity will look at the Jewish world’s needs for the next 25 years and will find new ways to strengthen Jewish identity and bolster ties between the State of Israel and the Diaspora.”
For Bennett’s information, in his quality of “Jerusalem and Diaspora Affairs Minister”, the Diaspora status was intended to be a temporary situation for the Jewish People, and certainly not to remain another 25 years.
As stated in the Declaration of Independence: “After being forcibly exiled from their land, the people kept faith with it throughout their Dispersion and never ceased to pray and hope for their return to it and for the restoration in it of their political freedom. ..Impelled by this historic and traditional attachment, Jews strove in every successive generation to re-establish themselves in their ancient homeland.”
Instead of wasting money and energy in strengthening the Jewry in Diaspora, the State of Israel should redirect its money and energy in strengthening its Jewry, and rendering the country more attractive to the Diaspora in terms of Jewishness.
The Jews of the Galout in general are aware that they experience a temporary situation although such situation may last during their whole lifetime.
After having being harassed by the non-Jews in their respective countries, they do certainly not wish to be harassed by their own brothers and sisters at home.
As a remainder, there are enough Jews who are persecuted and discriminated, and suffering pogroms on a regular basis in their own homeland, in Yehouda and Shomron regions: their homes are demolished, they are thrown out of their homes at night and in the cold, their goods are scattered and even vandalized.
Some others are not allowed to pray in the Temple Mount. Some are subjected to rock attacks on a daily basis. Some are killed on the roads or slaughtered in their bed during their sleep.
The only need of the Jews of the Galout is to be able to find an authentic Jewish State, the one which will welcome in the near future the construction the Third Holy Temple, the one who will welcome the Gathering of the twelve tribes of the Children of Israel.
Charity begins at home.