Making aliyah is a heartening trend for Israel and all Jews

With the May 31 Gaza flotilla incident pouring gasoline on an already raging anti-Israel firestorm, one might think now is not the best time to contemplate moving to Israel.

Think again. As our cover story this week shows, the number of Jews making aliyah is on the rise, with 4,000 olim from the United States and Canada expected to immigrate this year.

That includes more than 150 Bay Area Jews getting their one-way tickets so far this year, with more to come.

While aliyah obviously constitutes a momentous personal decision, and may not be the right option for everyone, we are heartened to see so many Jews choosing to live out the Zionist dream.

It says something about our community’s enduring faith in building the Jewish homeland.

This is arguably more important today than ever before. Global forces aligned against Israel have a much more insidious agenda than merely criticizing certain Israeli government policies, seeing an end to the Gaza blockade or reducing the Israeli military presence in the West Bank.

Those measures will not come close to satisfying them.

Many pro-Palestinian activists openly call for the destruction of Zionism and the dismantling of the Jewish state. They saw a huge public relations opportunity with the flotilla tragedy and have been running with it, to Israel’s chagrin.

Pro-Israel forces have argued that the world needs to give the Israeli side a fair hearing before drawing conclusions about the flotilla incident or the nation’s right to exist, but for Israel-bashers that is way too rational an approach.

So what can be done to preserve, protect and defend Israel in the face of such hostility? While we can all speak up, those making aliyah have chosen to vote with their feet. They have thrown their lot in with the State of Israel to build up a nation so many want to tear down.

Among the latest contingent of olim from the Bay Area, many are young and already prepared to join the Israel Defense Forces. What stronger statement can there be to show devotion to Israel and its long-term security?

To all the local Jews who have taken the plunge and will make aliyah this year, we applaud your decision and wish you every happiness in your new life. We know the day-to-day adjustment won’t always go smoothly, but we hope you will always remember the Bay Area Jewish community has your back.

Good luck –– b’hatzlecha! –– and we’ll see you next time in Israel.