Israel – Where is our bus headed?
Sometimes it seems like Israel today is like a crowded and full bus with no more room.
People from all over the world rush to the front door. The rise in anti-Semitism, threats, and hatred lead them to believe that Israel is the place where they will receive them, be protected, and given a home. They say to them: "Come home. This is your future. This is the Jewish people's state."
And they get on the bus.
But at the same time, a completely different scene is unfolding at the back door.
From there, people are leaving who have lived here for many years, and sometimes even their entire lives. Some have grown tired of the endless conflicts. Some do not see a future for their children. Some have lost trust in the state's institutions. And some are tired of the high cost of living, bureaucracy, corruption, and the endless political war of everyone against everyone.
According to the data presented in the Knesset, the number of Israelis leaving the country for extended periods has increased significantly. If until 2021, 40,000 people left every year, in 2022 the number reached 59,000, and in 2023 it reached 83,000. Even after a slight decline in 2024, the number remains significantly higher compared to the pre-war period.
And the strangest thing happens in the middle.
Those sitting in the bus often shout at the leavers: "Leave! You don't love Israel!"
Jews meet at the station, look at each other as if they've gone crazy, and in fact, they don't understand each other.
And the bus continues to drive. It's unclear where it's headed.
Inside the bus, there is corruption, nepotism, conflicts, and mutual accusations for all the country's problems. Jews are less and less willing to hear different opinions from themselves.
Outside the bus, stones of anti-Semitism, hatred, boycotts, and terrorism continue to fly towards it.
But the central question today is not how many more people will enter through the front door.
The central question is why so many people are looking at the back door and considering getting off.
Recently, I attended a meeting of the Knesset's Immigration Committee, and I heard that according to the data presented, 64% of young Israelis are considering leaving the country. Among the risk factors mentioned: secular lifestyle, additional citizenship, higher education, and high professional level.
A strong Jewish state is not just a state that knows how to attract new citizens. A strong state is a state whose citizens do not want to leave.
The number of Jews in the world is still lower than it was before World War II.
Think about that before you shout at each other.
"The Civil Compass" is trying to create a platform where Jews can write to each other what they want, and ask the driver if he even knows where they're headed.
Dr. Guttman
