Come to Israel

The horrible incident in Brussels on Tuesday, in which a woman and two children were injured in a synagogue fire, immediately took me back to 2005. I had just been appointed chairman of the Jewish Agency and I accompanied then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on a trip to France. It was an important visit, after years in which an Israeli prime minister had not set foot in the country. In addition to the diplomatic portion of the trip, in which Sharon met with then-President Jacques Chirac, he was supposed meet with the glorious local Jewish community.

Sharon was incessantly reminded by his advisers not to urge the French Jews to immigrate to Israel, as it would be "undiplomatic" to do that on French soil. But Sharon, being Sharon, nodded at his advisers, and with great confidence took to the podium in front of about a thousand Jewish community members, telling them in a loud and clear voice: "Come to Israel! Come to Israel!"

I looked at him with amazement. Did he not understand his advisers' warning?

But Sharon understood perfectly. To him, the ultimate goal was more important than any diplomatic code -- to bring all the world's Jews to Israel. This idea was more important to Sharon than anything else, and he was willing to deviate from the rules of the political game to advance it. The message to all of us was very clear, and still is today: Our work is not done. We must continue to bring Jews to Israel.

The events in Brussels this week are compounded by the countless incidents of attacks against Jews solely for their religion. This is no longer a marginal phenomenon. It has now become a clear escalation in the attitude toward Jews in many European cities. The situation has become unbearable, and the lives of Jews in Europe have become especially difficult. In France, many Jewish families lock their doors once their children return from school. In certain neighborhoods, going out into the street wearing a kippah or tzitziot can be a life-threatening endeavor.

These incidents bring back memories from the past, but there is one clear and obvious difference: In those days the Jews did not have a state waiting to welcome them with open arms. Back then, there was no safe haven for Jews who felt persecuted in Europe. Today, we are here for them. Today, they have Israel, the only state of the Jewish people. We have the ability to defend ourselves, we have advanced technology, a thriving economy, a robust culture. Today, there is a home for the Jewish people. Today, any Jew who wants to roam the streets free of fear can come to Israel.

This is not just about helping the Diaspora Jews. Jews who immigrate to Israel infuse new, fresh spirit into Israeli society wherever they land. Let us recall that Israel was founded thanks to massive immigration.

We must do everything in our power to facilitate the immigration of Jews, wherever they may be, to Israel, quickly, efficiently and with hospitality. Every Diaspora Jew deserves a life of security and tranquility, and every Jewish child deserves to be able to leave home at any hour of the day without worry. We cannot afford to wait. Every Jew who is victimized, or God forbid hurt, for being a Jew can walk safely down the streets in Israel. Now is the time. It is not just our privilege -- it is our moral duty.

Zeev Bielski is the mayor of Raanana and a former chairman of the Jewish Agency.