It is interesting to see the different opinions regarding Aliyah based upon the current Israeli gov't. I see so many Israeli's suffering directly because of the government's hatred for anything Jewish.

It's really hard for me understand why Arab terrorist prisoners who commit atrocities against Jews are possibly going to be released, rearmed, and given millions of $. 'Sure-okay-sign a contract that you'll be good Arabs for 3 months and we'll let you go' We don't even need our beloved kidnapped soldiers back'. GIVE ME A BREAK.

When I hear that Olmert has the audacity to negotiate Judea & Samaria, I want to laugh because I know that Hashem won't allow it. But we all know what took place 2 years ago. The facts are that 80% of those folks don't have a job, are suffering, there's high rates of divorce and children are alienating their yiddishkeit.

Do you know what could possibly be motivating him? Unless he's not really a Jew and really has a pintel Ishmael, what on earth could possibly be motivating him?

I am really idealistic and think I can make a difference but I struggle on the thought of aliyah because children are involved. Even thought Israel is the ONLY place for me and the ONLY place I want to be, with this current government, Israel is still the galus.

So how will staying in chutz l'aretz and not voting for a better government improve things?

Ha Ha If only it was that simple.

You've been there for a couple of years. Has your vote made a difference?

I don't quite understand your question. Yeah, Israel isn't exactly a frum paradise, but if you have the real opportunity to make aliyah, stop making excuses and just do it.

Basically, I am noticing that there is such a great divide between those who want to make aliyah but are legitimately pissed off at the deterioration of Israel under the current leadership. Then there are those who are bitter and returned (yerida). Then of course there are the optimists.

I prefer to listen to the optimists but many are driven by emotion and not reality. I just don't want to land in the Shomron for ex. just to get thrown out.

Then don't move there. The country's not *that* small.

Your opinion of living in Eretz Yisrael HaKodesh should not be dependent upon the current makeup of the Gov't. If you believe it's a mitzvah do your best to do your part and leave the rest up to Hashem.

My opinion is this:
If enough Zionist Jews moved to Israel with love of the land in their hearts, the vast majority of our problems with a corrupt government and the neighboring enemies would quickly dissipate.
So while I know my vote does next to nothing, I know that my being here does something.

Actually, if even enough of us non-Zionist Jews (especially Western Anglo work ethic oriented religious Jews ) would move here, it would make a difference.

Do not move here if you are moving here because you're in love with the idea of a goldener medina. It ain't.

Do move here if you want to live in Aretz Yisrael and struggle with what our Am is struggling with here right now. There is a deep satisfaction every day of being in the Land that was promised to us by Hashem.

That satisfaction can get forgotten if you think about the government too much.

BTW, the Galilee needs a Jewish presence just as urgently as the Shomron (IMO). It's a different battle on a different front, but we'll lose it if we don't have the sheer numbers.