Moving to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the establishment of a high level committee whose goal will be to to alter Israel’s relationship with the Diaspora. In what some may call a revolutionary change, Israel is to take a more direct role in Diaspora affairs, to give and not just take. Although some believe there is more to this recent media spin by Mr. Olmert.

According to Mr. Olmert, Israel should not be seen as a poor and needy state, always in need of financial support from Diaspora. According to figures presented by the the prime minister’s office, the financial situation in Israel would get along fine without the monetary supplement.

But financial experts have claimed this for years, so why is the prime minister’s office only waking up now.

Perhaps there is a connection to a statement made by Mr. Olmert at the recent high level peace summit held in Annapolis. During the negotiations Mr. Olmert was under heavy pressure from the Diaspora not to negotiate over the division of Jerusalem. Such an event would bring Palestinian controlled areas to the doorstep of Jerusalem neighborhoods, and possibly a Sderot situation would follow. Mr. Olmert, in a one sided self indulgent manner, basically told the Diaspora that Jerusalem is non of their business. Apparently, in his opinion only Jews who move to Israel can have a say in Jerusalem’s future.

Is the establishment of the high level Diaspora committee an attempt to repair the strained relationship? Or perhaps it’s an attempt to control political opinions in the Diaspora and stifle future complaints.

Another reason could be the incredible budget increase shadily approved for the prime minister’s office. In a time where all other ministries in Israel are tightening their belts, Mr. Olmert, in his usual manipulative way, has succeeded in doubling his ministries budget from 300 million shekels in 2005 to 770 million shekels for 2008 . Perhaps he is looking for expenses to justify this budget increase. The public will surely find out when Mr. Olmert’s next corruption scandal comes out in the press.