Peres might be a little cloudy when he speaks about a New Middle East, but there are some qualities of the Old Middle East that are true about the Land of Israel that are common to our neighbors. As Israelis who travel to Turkey learn, they may be secular, but they are also Moslem, not pious, but they "keep the basics". Italians are Catholic and even if they are secular, they get married by a priest and you will see them received Communion from time to time, likewise with Greek and their National Church.
In Israel we have a Rabbinate. Jewish communities in Europe have Gemeinde, Consistoires, and England`s Board of Deputies. They appoint a Chief Rabbi and run the institutions that relate to Jewish life in the country. Most Jews pay their dues, though there are Jews who "don`t belong".
The difference in Israel is that being a citizen of Israel makes you subject to the Rabbinate. In the States its a balagan. You like a balagan, b`vakashah, if not, come on Aliyah |
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