U.S.’s largest Jewish newspaper promotes aliyah without disclosing settlement angle

by Rob Browne on July 26, 2009 · 4 comments

This week’s NY Jewish Week has a front page article describing the economic recession’s effect on the number of people making aliyah to Israel. A spokesperson for Nefesh B’ Nefesh, the main organization assisting Jewish people making aliyah, says that 4,000 people from North America and England will likely settle in Israel this year, a 25% increase from last year. The author, Stuart Ain, profiles a family and a single individual who have recently moved to Israel, as well as a family that will be moving in August. The glaring omission in the article is a discussion of where these people have decided to, or are planning, to live.

According to Joseph Dana’s July 8 post here, "Is this ‘Natural Growth’? American Immigrants Flood Israeli Settlements, Backed By The Israeli Government", Nefesh B’Nefesh is encouraging new immigrants to move to illegal settlements:

  Nefesh B’Nefesh, along with the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government, is intentionally encouraging new immigrants to move to illegal settlements. Of the 232 immigrants who arrived in Israel yesterday, seven families were going to settle in Ma’aleh Adumim, along with a handful of people moving to Efrat inside the Gush Etzion settlement block. Both of these areas are considered to be illegal Israeli settlements according to international law.

President Obama has recently called on Israel to cease all settlement growth and activity. The Israeli government has, in turn, argued that it must be able to continue what it calls "natural growth," or building within existing settlements for the children of residents. But even using their own logic, "natural growth" certainly can’t include new immigrants from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The two families that Mr. Ain profiles are Orthodox and the single woman describes herself as having grown up in a "fervently Orthodox" home in Monsey. While not stating an exact location of anyone’s residence, the author mentions this:

Asked about the cost of living in Israel, Hillel said the seven-bedroom private house with a yard he is renting costs $1,250 a month.

Where in Israel can a person with a wife and 6 children get that large a house for that low a price? I’m going to take a huge guess and say………..a settlement! Knowing that this journalist works for America’s largest Jewish newspaper, I cannot believe that he is not aware of the potential controversy of new immigrants moving into such contentious areas. As such, I have to question why he decided to write a borderline promotional piece on religious aliyah and not delve into the potential difficulties that these people pose towards U.S.-Israeli relations and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Hopefully, next week’s installment will provide an nswer to my question 

Related posts:

  1. Is this ‘natural growth’? American immigrants flood Israeli settlements, backed by the Israeli government
  2. Jewish Press Covers Anti-Settlement Angle that NYT Won’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole
  3. Ahmed Moor wants to make aliyah!
  4. Reverse Aliyah
  5. Why Wasn’t a Joint Jewish-Arab Protest of Gaza Siege in My Newspaper?

{ 4 comments }

1 Richard Witty July 26, 2009 at 11:22 am

Most that make aliyah don’t live in the settlements.

INVESTIGATE.

2 Citizen July 26, 2009 at 12:51 pm

No question that “natural growth” masks the stream of immigrants to Israel’s settlements, paid for by US dollars directly and indirectly. It’s a practical form

of ascent to heaven on earth. Witty should ascend there. Make both USA and Israel happy. And such a good deal!

3 Citizen July 27, 2009 at 11:51 am

Breaking news in the USA Jewish community:

“Take advantage of the real estate opportunity in the OPT! Both US dollars and Israeli shekles are ready and waiting so you can have a really nice house on the cheap! The USA-Israel stimulus package is something you cannot afford to miss! A nice gated community is yours for the asking so long as your were born from a Jewish mother.
All paid for by the goyhim! How can you beat it? Both the IDF and the US Military
are waiting on your 9-11 phone call. Get it while it lasts! “

4 ... July 26, 2009 at 6:53 pm

witty perhaps you missed this paragraph…
>> Nefesh B’Nefesh, along with the Jewish Agency and the Israeli government, is intentionally encouraging new immigrants to move to illegal settlements. Of the 232 immigrants who arrived in Israel yesterday, seven families were going to settle in Ma’aleh Adumim, along with a handful of people moving to Efrat inside the Gush Etzion settlement block. Both of these areas are considered to be illegal Israeli settlements according to international law.<<

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