How Israelis Think about the Diaspora

A few months ago, shortly after an attempted attack on his synagogue, the head of the Jewish community in the German city of Halle wondered publicly about the future of Jews there. His comments led me to question, on Twitter, whether it was worthwhile for Jews to continue living in the city in the first place. After receiving numerous replies scolding me for effectively aligning with anti-Semites—who also wish to rid Halle of its Jews—it occurred to me I had stumbled onto a knotty topic worthy of disentangling. I also realized that, having lived in Israel for five decades, I had a perspective quite different from that of both Germans and Diaspora Jewry. The latter two would wish for the Jews to stay; as for me, I’m ambivalent.

Admittedly, much has changed for German Jewry, and today many Germans would be deeply offended by any suggestion that there could be a problem with Jews living in their country. For them, a flourishing Jewish community is proof they’ve cured their society; a threatened Jewish community would be a sign the old demons are still there.

Something similar has happened elsewhere in Western Europe as well. One can criticize French politicians for their weak responses to anti-Semitic violence. But when then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in January 2015 that “if 100,000 Jews leave, France will no longer be France,” he really meant it. The many French citizens who wish to live in an open, free society agree. Europe’s Jews, by and large, view their countries as their homes—their natural and rightful place—and are committed to preserving their communities. Most European Gentiles want Jews to continue living in their midst. Therefore, an Israeli doubting any of this obviously doesn’t get it.