Israel approves $46 million plan to abosrb Jewish immigration

[Beco]

The cabinet approved a special NIS 180 million ($46 million) budget on Sunday to finance the costs of absorbing thousands of new immigrants expected to arrive in Israel this year from Ukraine, France and Belgium.

“We are telling our Jewish brothers and sisters that Israel is your home,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during the cabinet meeting. “We are bracing ourselves and calling for a mass immigration from Europe.”

Under the Law of Return, all Jewish immigrants to Israel are entitled to a package of financial benefits. The government expects the sharp upward trend evident in immigration from Ukraine, France and Belgium last year to strengthen even further in the coming year. In Ukraine, this increase has been attributed to the political turmoil in the country, while in France and Belgium, it has been associated with a combination of rising anti-Semitism and a weak economy.

The supplemental budget approved today is earmarked for information fairs, subsidized Hebrew lessons, extra office staff, and beefed up social and employment services.

According to figures published by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, a record number of 6,658 Jews immigrated to Israel from France last year – more than double the previous year’s number. Last month alone, the ministry reported that 1,835 new files were opened for candidates for immigration from France. The Jewish Agency expects 15,000 French Jews to immigrate to Israel this year.

Last year, 5,921 Jews immigrated to Israel from Ukraine – more than triple the previous year’s number. Last month alone, the ministry reported, 1,300 new files were opened for candidates for immigration from Ukraine.

 

[PoppingTom]

Germany is higher.

"As of 30 November 2014 more than 180,000 people have applied, with an expected 2014 total of 200,000."

( Wikipedia )

 

[Sean Renaud]

Okay, getting out of the Ukraine makes perfect sense. Judging from the pictures I've seen I don't know why people with options live there NOW but is anti-semitism in France really getting that bad? I know everywhere in Europe has growing Muslim populations but judging by the last few years they seem a LOT more interested in either generalized attacks or in going after cartoonists than they do anything to do with Jews. I admit to not following up on every attack and I'm sure it happens but the only one that comes to mind are yesterday's attacks. (And last I heard they aren't sure if the Synagogue just happened to be there or if it inspired the terrorist attacks.) Is the economy in Israel really that strong?

While I understand inviting Jews home to Israel (despite it being clearly racist on it's face) maybe now isn't such a good time to invite them with financial aid and the such. I mean it's very, very easy to see this as an excuse to keep building on the disputed land. I don't think that's what's going on here but it's hard not to look at this and think that it certainly looks shady.

 

[The_Trouvere]

While I understand inviting Jews home to Israel (despite it being clearly racist on it's face).

A country has the right to decide who to allow to immigrate. The Immigration Act of 1924 made it very difficult for no Europeans to move to the United States.

 

[Ulaven_Demorte]

A country has the right to decide who to allow to immigrate. The Immigration Act of 1924 made it very difficult for no Europeans to move to the United States.

Yes they can, but that doesn't make it any less bigoted.

 

[Sean Renaud]

A country has the right to decide who to allow to immigrate. The Immigration Act of 1924 made it very difficult for no Europeans to move to the United States.

Yes they can, but that doesn't make it any less bigoted.

Pretty much. Having the "right" to do something (and in this case the rights are really kind of collectively agreed upon by other nations. Like nations have a right to defend themselves how they see fit. Unless they are enemies of the United States then they have no right to self defense beyond what NATO will allow.) but it doesn't make it not racist. It just makes it not illegal under the law.

My "bigger" issue is the way I imagine Palestine will perceive this. And not that I held out any illusions that this was going to be the time Peace talks worked and a mutually beneficial solution was found but on it's face this looks like a huge "fuck you."

 

[Beco]

Okay, getting out of the Ukraine makes perfect sense. Judging from the pictures I've seen I don't know why people with options live there NOW but is anti-semitism in France really getting that bad? I know everywhere in Europe has growing Muslim populations but judging by the last few years they seem a LOT more interested in either generalized attacks or in going after cartoonists than they do anything to do with Jews. I admit to not following up on every attack and I'm sure it happens but the only one that comes to mind are yesterday's attacks. (And last I heard they aren't sure if the Synagogue just happened to be there or if it inspired the terrorist attacks.) Is the economy in Israel really that strong?

While I understand inviting Jews home to Israel (despite it being clearly racist on it's face) maybe now isn't such a good time to invite them with financial aid and the such. I mean it's very, very easy to see this as an excuse to keep building on the disputed land. I don't think that's what's going on here but it's hard not to look at this and think that it certainly looks shady.

Its not racist, its why Israel was created in the first place....

 

[KingOrfeo]

Its not racist, its why Israel was created in the first place....

That does not mean it is not racist.

 

[PoppingTom]

..... but is anti-semitism in France really getting that bad? I know everywhere in Europe has growing Muslim populations but judging by the last few years they seem a LOT more interested in either generalized attacks or in going after cartoonists than they do anything to do with Jews.

I think the "exodus" is highly exaggerated. People move to Israel, but people move away from it, too.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/w...-berlin-young-nations-fissures-show.html?_r=0

 

[Sean Renaud]

Thanks Popping Tom.

Its not racist, its why Israel was created in the first place....

How does that make it any less racist? Now if Jews are legitimately feeling unsafe in Europe (again) and need a safe haven. . .it's still racist but it's justified. I want to know if France and Belgium are having a real rise to significant levels of antisemitism.

However the fact that Israel was created for a combination of guilt and outright racism is well recorded fact.

 

[miles]

Its not racist, its why Israel was created in the first place....

His was the dumbest thing I've read here in months, and that's saying a lot.

 

[Sean Renaud]

If mine was the dumbest thing you've read here in months its because you haven't read anything since before Christmas miles. That's the only way on Earth. And that's making the unsubstantiated assumption you know what a month is.