In the 30s, it was German Jews who came with cultural and technological blessing. In the 50s, it was North African Jews and Jews from Arab countries who came. Today, they make up approximately half of Israel’s citizenry. Without them, we would not have a Jewish – or any – state.
In the 70s, it was the Soviet Jews who refreshed Israel’s forgotten Zionism and enriched our culture. In the 90s, it was the Russian and Eastern European Jews who turned Israel into an unprecedented technological and economic wonder. And don’t forget our Ethiopian brothers, who brought with them good, innocent love for the nation and land – along with spectacular cultural diversity.
And now, in the face of the West’s economic hardship and cultural collapse; the rise of anti-Semitism in the East and West; the economic opportunities in Israel; and the aspiration of many to preserve Israel’s national identity, Israel is expecting one and a half million new immigrants over the coming decade – from Ukraine, France, England, the U.S., and other countries.
The end of the exile is approaching. With the influx described above, Israel is the only community in the world that, demographically, is growing instead of shrinking.
“The beneficiary of a miracle doesn’t recognize his miracle,” said our Sages.
With our own eyes we are witnessing the realization of the sentiments of our prophets: a miraculous, historic, unparalleled occurrence.
Parallel to that, over the border, all the puppet states founded by Western colonialism after World War I for the sons of Ishmael are melting before our eyes. Just look at the wild throngs from Syria and Iraq advancing toward us.
Now, when all the abundance is presented to us on a silver platter, are we to give these thugs of the desert a foothold in the heart of our land? Will we delay the completion of the Zionist enterprise for another 2,000 years?
The decision that is before us is a Ben-Gurion-like decision on the eve of the state’s birth.
Now is the time to decide between rebirth and collapse, between triumph and – God forbid – defeat.
Modiin, in the foothills of Judea, must be replicated throughout the country. The new Modiin, in the foothills of Gush Etzion, must stretch until Kiryat Gat. Modiin, in the foothills of the Talmon Bloc, must overlook Tel Aviv. Modiin, in the foothills of the Shomron, must stretch until the Sharon. Modiin, in the foothills of northern Shomron, must overlook Afula and the north.
Holy Jerusalem, site of the Temple, must become a major metropolis with an international airport in Atarot. The government complex should be moved to the City of David. Ma’ale Adumim should also be duplicated along the foothills of the mountains to the east. The central mountains must be devoted to small villages, just a few minutes from the large cities.
Under this vision, Israel will not repeat its mistakes of the past. All the national lands will be allocated by lottery to young couples and new immigrants. Every Jew will have a place in the Land of Israel at a reasonable price, for the Land of Israel belongs first and foremost to every individual in the nation of Israel. Only after that does it belong to the state of Israel. There will be no more state profiteering from national land.
We will once again establish in our land a just and free society, a truly liberal society – a liberty-driven society born of identity. In the land longed for by our forefathers, all of our hopes will be realized – if we will once again believe in our God and in ourselves.
