2006 report: Israel's population 7.2 million, growing slowly

We in Israel need two things: Jewish aliyah and more Jewish babies. If more Jews would move here and more Jews here would have more children, we would be in a much better position. Only 12,000 have made aliyah this year and many of them are not even Jewish. Most of the younger Russians coming only had a Jewish grandfather, at the most. For Jews to come, they must find a good job here with a salary enough to survive on.Look at the murderer Karlick's family. No one is Jewish there, only a long dead grandfather buried somewhere in Russia. Everyone else is Christian and they live here in Israel. The Jewish Agency must be forced to bring only Jews.

...demographics in a way that includes people, not alienates them. If not, what will happen the day less than 50% of Israelis vote for Zionist parties, and less than 50% of Israelis serve in the IDF? What will happen when Jewish anti-zionists clash with Arab anti-zionists, and a zionist minority is in control of the IDF? A military regime in control of both Jews and Arabs? Or is transfer the solution? Do you really want to be a fenced in country in the age of Globalization? You can solve this by creating good, solid and inclusive democratic and anti-racist values throughout society. All forms of racism has to be fought. Finding neo-nazi post-Soviet kids in your country should not come as a surprise to you, it reflects upon the general values in your country, it has only backfired upon you, and I am very sorry for that! If you don't deal with it, I'm afraid there's gonna be more of the same in the future. A bi-national state may not seem viable, but are the alternatives???

We live in a fast-changing world. Immigrants to Europe are changing the character of our countries, and for the better! How dull life would be with only timid, cold, distant, blue-eyed blondes around me! We have to embrace our newcomers, and accept parts of their culture as our own, and let go of some of our cultural traits that alienate our fellow citizens. If not, we are in trouble. Alternative is to close our borders and ignore the world. Ethno-national states are a thing of the past. I'm a Norwegian living in Denmark, and I wish Israelis were free to live wherever they wanted on the West Bank, as well as Palestinians free to live wherever they wanted in Israel. I don't support a Danish Denmark or a Norwegian Norway, how can I support an Arab Palestine or a Jewish Israel? Some of the posts here have pointed to the demographic problem in the right way (although some of the attached remarks have been horribly anti-semitic), and you have to start dealing with your changing... (cont'd)

That did not answer my question.

I agree with 17. Looking as a group of people as a problem because of their race or religion is ugly thinking - one that Jews have suffered immensely because of. Please don't do the same to others.

Hola Señor Sweden - si, hablo un poco de espanol. ?Que quieres cabron? Thanks for your concern, but my "cajones" are neither small nor in any imminent danger being roasted over a tequila cactus "spitfire" (sic). (The spitfire was a British warplane in WWII). I would recommend you lay off the peyote buttons before you write these bizarre posts however. Neither the Mayans nor the Aztecs ever lived in any part of what is now the USA. But there are plenty of Palestinians who lived over 500 Arab villages inside of Israel proper since razed. If Israel annexes the occupied lands, then there is about parity among the Jews and Arabs. Even if Israel maintains this illegal occupation, just the Israrabs alone will continue to grow to the point of challeging the Jewish character of the state. Its all in that darned exponential growth. But its inevitable. Israel will change its charmed existence one way or the other - hopefully before all the surrounding states have nukes and decide to stop waiting

You're only 18 and you're already an old man if the peak of your ambition is to be comfortable in a leafy suburb. You have plenty of condescending moralistic advice for the citizens of Israel who are fighting to keep their country safe but your physical comfort is more important to you than joining them in their battle. I'm a grandmother myself and I would encourage my grandchildren to go to Israel.

You're only 18 and you're already an old man if the peak of your ambition is to be comfortable in a leafy suburb. You have plenty of condescending moralistic advice for the citizens of Israel who are fighting to keep their country safe but your physical comfort is more important to you than joining them in their battle. I'm a grandmother myself and I would encourage my grandchildren to go to Israel.

'go up the chimney'... you say Now that has a familiar ring, doesn't it? Everybody knows what kind of person you are

if the ethiopians could live the american dream so the Kaifeng jews . many russians came to israel to make a better living and most do not visit synagogues or keep kosher or Shabat .

Australia is the polar opposite, we are a fast aging society. I really do hope that the Israeli population will increase and the opportunities and infrastructure in Israel will further develop. I sincerely hope that the State of Israel does NOT lose it's Jewishness as it is set to with a great increase in Arab citizens, not because I am racist, but because what I have come to value about Israel will greatly diminish. I am only 18, and I want to make Aliyah one day, but as long as the salaries are so slow for professionals, I doubt it will ever be practical for me, as I will not leave my affluent leafy suburb on the harbour of Sydney for a slum created for new arrivals!

Don Camillo made two statements, I believe indisputable, followed by a series of questions, good ones I'd say. So where was the giving of orders you speak of?

There is but one Jewish state, and a bi national state won't be manageable, safe or Jewish. The Arab population should have housing built in Jordan, parts of the west bank, Gaza or any number of Arab states. Certain portions of Israel can be exchanged and brought under Arab control as was mentioned as a possibliity on this site last week. Arab and Jew need a divorce.

Yoh Kevin,hombre,hablas Espanol? You'd have to become a part of Mexico,better now,when gringos still have an upper hand. Lest you want your tiny cohones roasted on tequilla cactus spitfire. The first thing you'ød have to go is your barking orders to others,like Israelis,you'd be toiling as fruit plucker from sunrise to sunset,no Internett access,learn to dispose of beforehand.

Israel should respect its size,and, work for coperation not confertation, other wise its going to be the looser at the end.

Israel should respect its size,and, work for coperation not confertation, other wise its going to be the looser at the end.

Israel should respect its size,and, work for coperation not confertation, other wise its going to be the looser at the end.

Any time a population is looked at as a demographic problem the state is able to dehumaize them. We must value life, people as people, and not just see race or creed. The Germans first encourage jews to leave, they saw them as a demographic problem, in cities such as Vilnus, they were the majority, a demographic problem they said...and look at what happened? It is unJewish, to treat others, who were, like us, made in gods image as a "demographic" problem. PEACE

There is only one solution to this problem, and that is to make all the jews of the world israeli citizens, it dosnt matter where they live, they have the right to become israeli. I know there might be some problems with that, but not as big as having an arab mayority in israel.

If most of the 5.6 % over 75 are Jewish one can expect a much higher death rate among Jews than Palestinians and therefore a rapid decrease in the Jewish majority.

At least we can hope for a resolution of the conflict - Palestinians, despite the best efforts of Zionist colonization, will soon be teh majority in their own land agai. Then the Zionists will have three chocies - emigrate, participate in a new Palwestinian state, or go up the chimney!

You published a response in which a palestine citizen says, in his words, that the State of Israel is gonna disappear. And you didn't put my comments on the air. Is that what you call democracy?

Ironically, the one-state solution you propose will become the second attempt at a Final Solution for the Jewish people. Ask yourself which side repeatedly calls for Israel's destruction and for death to the Jews? Do people like you ever pay attention, or are your remarks simply an opportunity to vent anti-Jewish racism?

So why is this govenment not bringing in the thousands of the Etheopian and B'ne Menashe people who are trying to come here?

Please print the truth not just you want the readers to believe when its confortable for your paper . Tell these people who want to come here the truth . We as Israeli citizens need to start a revolution against "JEWS WHO ENSLAVE JEWS". This is the main problem with allyah and people who feel like they are stuck here and are trying to get out . I can make more flipping burgers at burger king in new jersey than I made here working for IDT , Let the truth be known it has to start somewhere , if your newspaper really cares for this nation and it's people than it has to come out into the light no matter how dark it is. The average Israeli pay is well above other poor third world nations , but we are not supposed to be a third world nation and the few who prosper and laugh all the way to bank should be taken to task now! People are made to fear that there is no other work for them out there , thats why they eat the crap they are fed by the criminal acts of the few rich people .

Oh, my G-d!! "Encourage the Arabs to leave", said some "Ron". By what means? Concentration camps, for instance?! It's a little bit clearer now how neonazis were found in Israel...

"Time to encourage the Arabs to leave for obvious reasons." Would you let us know what kind of encouragement you're thinking of?

Israeli governments have failed in recent years to take sufficient steps to develop aliyah and encourage the return of Israelis abroad, due to the values of Israel's political and social elites, which work to the opposite. Aliyah from these countries requires idealism and an Israeli society which reflects the best standards of government, social values, and equality.

-the bill for subsidising settler mortgags, tax breaks, cheaper utility billsetc , will grow accordingly. How is the average Israeli family going to keep paying for this growing bill of Occupation? Freezing of welfare payments? Denial of unemployment benefit to anyone under 28? Sell off more State assets? When 38% of Israeli families are already below the official povery line? Hello? Anyone in?

Hey Ron You're right that Isr-arabs are going to continue to increase, Jewish birthrates decline, and further immigration decrease. The answer is not a final solution for arabs however. Eventually the answer will be a one state solution. Its just a matter of time. Better to set up while Jews have the upper hand because each year that passes puts more numbers and power on the other side. One of the first things that will have to go is racist comments about Arabs leaving their own ancestoral lands.

"go arabs go "

#1 were not going anywhere ,soon israel will not be a jewish state. whats the nucks gona do then .

If you have been promised a good job because you speak english or french or even phlemish and have been promised work and good pay at companies like IDT in Jerusalem . Run run run fast, back to your good paying american , english or belgian work place and stay there. Pharoh will make a slave of you and tell you how you can work harder for him and make less money . thats right come to Israel work for an american company and make slave wages . One thing you should know if you come here to work for companies such as this one , DON'T EVER TELL THE TRUTH " this will call for your imediate release . They think you should be able to survive on 4k to 5k a month ( SHEKELS NOT DOLLARS FOLKS)About $250.00 to $300.00 a week . You can allways show your kids pictures of food and tell them about the good old days . This is why Israels allyah is slower than a snail, don't be a sucker make sure you have a good paying job before you come ! This is the truth and the reality of IDT Global.

Somebody, sometime soon better take a look at demographics and deal with it for what it is...Time to encourage the Arabs to leave for obvious reasons.