Aliyah is not the sole contribution Israel can offer to the diaspora

Photo: AVI HAYUN

Last week marked the first state visit of the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, during which he met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and participated in memorial ceremonies dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Babyn Yar tragedy. As part of the visit, the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress, in cooperation with the JNF-KKL, also organized a meeting between Isaac Herzog and the leaders of the Ukrainian Jewish community. What may at first glance appear to be a formal visit has the potential to become the first step toward Israel redefining its role in the global Jewish world and, in particular, its relations with the Diaspora.

Even prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, Zionist ideologists envisioned a central role for the new nation within the Jewish world. Even then, it was evident that not all of the world's Jewish population would immediately choose to link their future with the nascent state. Naturally, this raised the question of policy regarding the "Diaspora," as Israel was destined to serve as the nation-state of the entire Jewish people.

One model of this relationship involves building a politically and economically strong, scientifically and culturally advanced state toward which the eyes of Jews worldwide would turn. Such a state was meant to be a "beacon of light" not only for all nations but also for the Jewish Diaspora. While 70 years ago the young state had to fight for survival and address numerous domestic issues, putting the dreams of its ideologues on hold, today Israel is closer than ever to this model. Consequently, we believe the time has come to adopt a broader perspective on relations with the Diaspora.

Strengthening connections between the Diaspora and the State of Israel is a core pillar of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress's mission. The EAJC has established close relations with the Government of Israel and the Knesset, Israeli embassies in the region, and representatives of EAJC member countries in the Jewish state. The Congress actively works to foster an objective understanding of the Jewish state among opinion leaders in various countries, while consistently advocating for the active involvement of Diaspora Jews in life in Israel.

According to research conducted by the EAJC, Israel remains the most crucial component of Jewish identity for individuals in the former Soviet Union. It serves as the focal point for the majority of social networks, connections, and migration plans of the Russian-Jewish Diaspora.

Among the Jewish population in the post-Soviet space, 69% express solidarity with Israel. Regarding Israel's most appealing attributes, nearly half of those surveyed in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Moldova highlighted its Jewish character (46%), while 56% emphasized that it is an "economically developed state that offers good opportunities for building a life." Only 4% stated that "there is nothing attractive about Israel" or found it difficult to answer. Notably, 20% identified Israel, or both Israel and their country of residence simultaneously, as "their country to the greatest extent." Over 70% believe that Jews should be patriots of both their country of residence and Israel.

Given this deep interest in Israel's affairs, the Jewish state must increase its engagement with the Diaspora, focusing not only on diplomatic efforts but also on involving Diaspora Jews in discussions regarding modern challenges facing Israel. It is essential to provide Diaspora Jewish communities with a "voice" and integrate them into dialogues on matters of concern to Israeli society, thereby strengthening their sense of belonging and awareness. Ultimately, the Diaspora Jews of today may become full members of Israeli society tomorrow by exercising their right to repatriate under the Law of Return.

In October 2020, former Minister of Diaspora Affairs Omer Yankelevich introduced a legislative initiative requiring Israeli government ministries to consult Jewish communities on matters affecting Diaspora affairs. We supported this initiative and proposed intensifying contact between Israeli authorities and Diaspora leaders.

This approach is shared by the current Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Nachman Shai, who in June 2021 attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress. He declared a readiness to cooperate with Jewish organizations representing the Diaspora, and noted that, in his view, this is a reciprocal process: just as Israel must care for Diaspora Jews and value their opinions, Diaspora Jews must seek engagement and remain interested in developments in Israel.

During our recent meeting with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog—who previously served as the head of the Jewish Agency ("Sokhnut") and is deeply familiar with Jewish life in the Diaspora—he expressed support for the EAJC's stance on Israel's role as the state of the Jewish people and the center of the Jewish world, declaring his readiness for active cooperation with the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress.

All of these developments offer hope that Israel will finally review its approach to relations with the Diaspora, viewing Jewish communities not merely as a source of repatriation, but as partners in a deep, long-term relationship, engaging Diaspora Jews in discussions about the future direction of the Jewish state and its impact on the global Jewish community.