Jewish Peoplehood

The Institute for Policy and Strategy dedicates research to the subject of Jewish Peoplehood and the relationship between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. Successive generations of Diaspora Jews, particularly in the West, have been affected by a totally different global political culture which does not necessarily positively reflect upon Israel. Raised in liberal democracies that defend minority rights, a growing number of Jewish leaders, and even more so young Jews worldwide, find it increasingly difficult to unconditionally defend Israel's policies without their critical notes being registered.  

·         The mushrooming experiential programs of the Diaspora in Israel have however, led to a broad Israeli acknowledgement of the need to reinforce the bonds and attachment of the young generation Jews to Israel. This acknowledgement has led to substantial allocation of government funds to Taglit-birthright Israel and to other programs.  

·         The mounting assault on Israel's legitimacy, a source of concern for most, if not all, Jewish leaders and Jews worldwide, compounds and accentuates the challenges facing both Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. Jewish communities around the world have found themselves on the frontline of the international obsession with Israel, either as proxy target for Israel itself or as (progressively more isolated) counter-advocates of the assault on Israel's legitimacy. This frontline position excessively burdens internal Jewish debates on the future of Israel, the logic and morality of its actions and the nature of Jewish society in general.  

·         The increasing need felt by Jews in the Diaspora to be heard on issues that directly and indirectly influence them as Jews, together with the need for Israel to keep the Diaspora involved but not formally so, offers the rationale for a seeking possible mechanisms for enhancing more formal and regularized Israeli-Diaspora dialogue.