SteveLendman January 19 2014

Many Israelis want out.  Haaretz said “almost 40 percent of (them) are thinking of emigrating.” Recent polling said they’d leave if financially able.

Israeli governance combines militarism, repression, corruption, and neoliberal harshness.

It’s no fit place to live in. Many Jews vote with their feet and leave. Others prepare by securing foreign passports.

Many of Israel’s best and brightest go. In 2012, over 14% of Israeli science and engineering doctorate holders lived abroad for three or more years. They left to work or study.

They’re in no rush to return. Many never do. It’s hard getting them back once they’re gone.

One of the most commonly given reasons for leaving isn’t why they left. It’s why it took them so long to do so.

At the same time, with so many of Israel’s best and brightest leaving, why would their counterparts abroad consider immigrating?

On October 8, Haaretz headlined “Israel has worst rate of brain drain in West, study shows.” It cited a Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel report.

It’s titled the “State of the Nation Report 2013.” A press release cited Israel’s deteriorating higher education system. In part it said: Continue reading →