MembersForeigners in Israel vs Jews in Europe

While foreigners feel quite well in Israel, fear is rising among the Jews of Europe. Why?

By Aviel Schneider |
MULTICULTURAL METROPOLIS Women from Nepal at a traditional festival in Tel Aviv Photo: Abir Sultan/Flash 90

Israel is different than the so-called “Christian West” in that the state keeps Jewish laws, most of which stem from the Bible.

European countries, on the other hand, have a separation between church and state. One might think that this means a higher level of tolerance. How often does the European Union accuse Israel of not practicing the liberal values that the West takes for granted? The EU charges that the Jewish state treats non-Jews unfairly.

Yet it is in the big cities of Europe that synagogues are often heavily guarded, while in Israel, there are no guards at churches and mosques. This means that non-Jews feel safe in the Jewish state.

According to a report by the international organization InterNations (internations.org), foreigners in Israel are quite satisfied. Even though Israel is a “danger zone,” expatriates who live and work here are less afraid than Jewish citizens in the “free world” of Europe. A total of 14,272 expats from 172 nations took part in this study, and Israel...

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