Nativ, the Israeli government organization that brought Russian Jews to Israel for decades begining in the 1950's, now has its sights set on the 120,000 Russian Jews in Germany - but not in terms of Aliyah (immigration to Israel).
Nativ currently operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Strategic Affairs, of which Haggai Peleg is the Director General. Speaking with Arutz-7's Hebrew newsmagazine, Peleg denied reports that Germany is "furious" over Nativ's "attempts to encourage Aliyah [immigration to Israel] among the Jewish population of Germany."
"There are no such attempts," Peleg said, "and Germany is not fuming."
He explained that a recent Israeli government decision calls for an expansion of Nativ's Aliyah activities into Germany, "in coordination with the German government. I hope such activity will start soon, but it has not yet started. In the meanwhile, we are engaged in educational activity among the Jews there."
Israel Helping Jews Around the World
Peleg explained that the Israeli government is very concerned about Israel's bonds with Jews abroad, "and particularly Jews from the former Soviet Union. There is great assimilation there, great detachment from the Jewish People and from Israel, and we are in danger of losing them. We therefore want to enhance Jewish education among them. There is no reason for the German government to object to this, and we in fact have heard no objections from them."
Peleg said that there are currently some 120,000 Russian Jews in Germany, and another 80,000 family members who are eligible for Aliyah to Israel under the Law of Return. This law stipulates that Jews and their family members - even if they are no more than 1/4 Jewish - are eligible for automatic Israeli citizenship. The above numbers comprise some 90% of Germany's Jewish population. "This is why Nativ, which has experience working with Russian Jews, was chosen to work with them in Germany," Peleg said.
Peleg said that the Jews' economic situation in Germany is "not good", and that unemployment stands at 25-30% in some places. "The former Russian Jews have not yet 'made it' financially in Germany," he said.
Germany Encourages Jewish Immigration
Though Germany has taken steps to restrict new immigration, Jews from the former Soviet Union actually receive preferential treatment in the naturalization process. "Germany sees them as a welcome addition to their country," Peleg said, "as well as a way of rebuilding the historic Jewish community there."
Nativ, originally named the Liaison Bureau, was founded in the early 50's as part of the Prime Minister's Bureau for the purpose of clandestinely helping Jews behind the Iron Curtain study Judaism and immigrate to Israel. It has since taken on different roles, and is currently involved in fostering Jewish identity and education in other countries.
"As opposed to the Jewish Agency, which belongs to the Jewish People," Peleg explained, "Nativ belongs to the State of Israel. Israel realizes that it must help Jewish communities around the world, and not just leave them to their own devices."
In February of this year, Germany’s Jewish establishment demanded that Israel not advertise its invitation for German Jews to immigrate to Israel.