By Colette Avital  
Tags: Israel, Jewish Agency
Since its inception in 1929, the Jewish Agency has played a crucial role, first, in the creation, and later, in the development, of the State of Israel. After statehood was declared in 1948, the Agency spearheaded the ingathering of Jewish immigrants, and it has played a crucial role in the physical building-up of the country and the galvanizing of its identity. The contribution of the Jewish Agency to the strengthening of Israel, to Jewish education and to our ties with Diaspora Jews has been immeasurable.
In recent years, the Agency has continued to demonstrate to both the Israeli public and to Jews the world over that it still has a vital role to play. Its performance in times of crisis made it the object of admiration. For the Jewish Agency is, by definition, a global partnership between the Jews of the world and those living in Israel: between the World Zionist Organization, the United Israel Appeal (UIA), the United Jewish Communities (UJC) and Keren Hayesod. The various bodies and individuals comprising the Agency's leadership are meant to ensure a wide representation of Jews the world over. These, in turn, coordinate their actions with the government of Israel.
The stated missions of the Jewish Agency are currently: the encouragement of aliyah, of Jewish-Zionist education and of Jewish solidarity. I was therefore surprised to discover, not long ago, that the Agency has decided to name Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein to its executive board. Rabbi Eckstein, an honorable man whose good deeds are well-known and publicized, has made it his business over the years to raise funds from among evangelical Christians in the United States. It is thanks to the large contributions of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), the organization he founded and heads, to the budget of the Jewish Agency that he was invited to join its leadership.
Let me be clear: I have no objection whatsoever to Rabbi Eckstein as an individual, nor do I doubt his sincerity or devotion. My objection to his appointment is not personal. I do, however, find it highly objectionable that an organization such as the Jewish Agency, with its glorious tradition, should choose to put a representative on its executive board because of the money he collects. Why not substitute the entire board with big donors? More important, in my mind, is the fact that the money so generously provided comes from evangelicals, whose views and purposes are, alas, well-known. Throughout my life and diplomatic career I have fostered warm and friendly relations with many Christian individuals and religious leaders. Wherever I have served, I have always strived for a rapprochement between Christians and Jews. Yet I find the idea of evangelicals donating large sums of money to Israel disturbing, both because of their belief in the "Second Coming" and because of their stated mission: "We know that we must wait for God to bring about the fullness of the kingdom at Christ's return."
Allow me to explain. In a survey conducted some time ago by Time/CNN, over one third of America's 40-50 million evangelical Christians said they support Israel because they believe the Bible teaches that Jesus cannot return before the Jews possess their own state in all of the Holy Land. They believe that the nation of Israel will play a pivotal role in the unfolding of "end-time" events. In the past decade, such Christians have become some of Israel's best friends. With my own ears, I have heard them passionately declare that Israel should not be allowed to abandon one inch of territory, since this is God's will.
These dispensationalist evangelicals are staunch supporters of Rabbi Eckstein's IFCJ. Moreover, in their commitment to keep Israel strong and moving in the directions prophesied by the Bible, they support some of the most extreme elements in Israeli society. By aiding these groups both financially and morally, they try to help create the future they envision.
As is true for many Israeli citizens, I feel very uneasy, to say the least, when their money buys a seat on the executive board of the Jewish Agency.
MK Colette Avital (Labor) is a member of the parliament's Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs. 
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