Israeli Futurist Urges Jews Abroad to Consider Aliyah Amid Rising Antisemitism
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Israeli futurist Professor David Passig advises Jews in the US and Europe to consider immigrating to Israel due to rising antisemitism and social tensions. He argues Israel offers agency in crises, unlike the diaspora where Jews are powerless. Passig predicts a significant demographic shift, with 20 million of the world's 24 million Jews living in Israel by the end of the 21st century. He also foresees potential cultural clashes and violence in Europe as immigrant groups seek to impose their norms.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Futurist David Passig urges Jews in the US and Europe to immigrate to Israel.
- He believes Israel offers Jews agency to confront dangers, unlike the diaspora.
- Passig forecasts 20 million Jews will live in Israel by the end of the 21st century.
- He warns of escalating antisemitism and social tensions in Western countries.
- Passig also predicts potential cultural clashes and violence in Europe.
Professor David Passig, a futurist and researcher, is urging Jews living in the United States and Europe to seriously consider immigrating to Israel, rather than waiting for deteriorating circumstances. He argues that despite Israel's security threats, it offers Jews a unique ability to confront dangers that are not available to them elsewhere. Speaking on a podcast, Passig addressed the rise of antisemitism and social tensions in the Western world, suggesting that many Jews underestimate these warning signs, viewing them as temporary phenomena.
Passig believes that while some perceive Israel as the most dangerous place for Jews, it is actually the only place where they can be proactive and respond effectively during a crisis. In contrast, he states, Jews in the diaspora are powerless when faced with threats. He acknowledges the dangers present in Israel but distinguishes between a nation with military power and the ability to defend itself, and Jewish communities reliant on foreign governments.
He attributes the tendency of diaspora Jews to downplay threats to a common human inclination to gradually adapt to problematic situations, even as warning signs accumulate. Passig emphasizes the importance of not suppressing these signs, comparing it to ignoring minor pains that can escalate.
Furthermore, Passig presented a demographic forecast indicating that the center of gravity for the Jewish people will almost entirely shift to Israel within this century. He projects that by the end of the 21st century, there will be 24 million Jews globally, with 20 million residing in Israel, a figure he bases on UN data and internal Israeli projections. He sees the 21st century as pivotal in shaping the future of the Jewish people.
Passig also commented on the future of Europe, particularly the tensions between native populations and Muslim immigrants. He suggests that a system in crisis may exhibit strength before its eventual collapse, interpreting the current situation in Europe as a sign of such pre-collapse strengthening. He anticipates that European societies may react strongly to immigrant groups attempting to alter their cultural identity, leading to potential violence as cultures clash.
