Kadima will continue to maintain the same thoughtless status quo, reacting only belatedly to such challenges as the Iranian bomb and the growing radicalization of the Palestinian polity instead of anticipating them. As for the “New” Labor under Amir Peretz, it does, alas, have a vision.

Since it is much easier to raise funds by pulling at the heart strings, the Jewish Diaspora establishment persists in treating Israel as the poor and less capable relative, largely ignoring the great talents and ability, even the relative success, that many Israelis exhibit. In a two-year course the Jewish Agency holds for promising young Diaspora leaders, all they see and learn about is welfare Israel, with almost no acquaintance with Israel’s productive side. Lack of full and proper information about Israel has not only limited American Jews’ ability to defend Israel in the international arena. It has also caused a serious misapprehension of Israel’s internal problems and what must be done to solve them.

The American people, thank God, are not likely to be bamboozled by their intellectuals, and thank God again, Israel is defended by good fundamentalist Christians. Still, one must not underestimate the potential danger that an erosion in Israel’s moral position poses for Israel and for the American Jewish community. This danger must be met by mounting a massive educational effort.