Video credit: Lori Polatchnik, Host of "Lori Almost Live" (http://www.youtube.com/@LoriAlmostLiveVideo

Albert Einstein: "The Jewish nation is a living thing, and the sentiment of Jewish nationalism must be developed both in [Israel] and everywhere else. To deny the Jew’s nationality in the Diaspora is, indeed, deplorable. If one adopts the point of view of confining Jewish ethnic nationalism to [Israel] (…) My Zionism does not exclude cosmopolitan views. I believe in the actuality of Jewish nationality, and I believe that every Jew has duties towards his co-religionists. The meaning of Zionism is thus many-sided. (…) It opens out hopes of a more human existence."

-- Albert Einstein, About Zionism, 1931.

Changing the current status quo from the political class and some “experts” Israelis is urgently needed. This status quo is inherited from the past, a historical positioning that fails to take into consideration the XXIst century reality of Jews on Earth. 

To generate change in the prevailing belief and ideology that Israelis living abroad do not have the same stake in Israeli society and politics as those residing in the country - and that only those who have spent significant time in Israel should be eligible to vote from abroad, I want to reinforce my initial argumentation with new arguments and ideas for actions, following my current research for this campaign:
I. Arguments for Inclusion: 

1. Global Citizenship: In an increasingly globalized world, many Israelis live abroad for work or study or due to marriage with another national, while maintaining strong ties to their homeland. This reality challenges the notion that physical presence equates to a stronger stake in national affairs.
2. Democratic Norms: Many democracies allow expatriates who are actively involved in their nations activity from where they are established and vote, their nation of origin recognizing their ongoing connection to their home country. Countries like the UK, the US, France, Canada or Italy just to name a few have established frameworks for expatriate voting, which serve as models for Israel. 
3. Economic Contributions: Israelis abroad often contribute economically through remittances and investments, thereby having a vested interest in national policies that affect their financial well-being. 
4. Diverse Perspectives: Expatriates can offer valuable insights into how global trends affect Israel, enriching national discourse and policy-making. 
5. Emotional and Cultural Bonds: Many Israelis living abroad continue to support family and community initiatives in Israel, demonstrating their ongoing investment in the country's future. 
II. Proposed Actions.
1. Legislative Advocacy: Propose reforms that would allow expatriates to vote based on criteria such as maintaining a valid Israeli passport or having lived in Israel within a certain timeframe (e.g., five years). For instance, a recent proposal suggested allowing those who left less than five years ago and paid National Insurance contributions to vote.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate both residents and expatriates about the importance of inclusive voting rights. Highlighting successful international examples can help shift public opinion. 
3. Engagement with Political Parties: Build coalitions with political parties that support expatriate voting rights, particularly those with significant numbers of voters living abroad, such as the Yisrael Beiteinu party.
4. Community Mobilization: Organize forums and events where expatriates can share their experiences and articulate their stakes in Israeli politics, fostering a sense of community and collective action. 
5. Research Initiatives: Conduct studies to gather data on public opinion regarding expatriate voting rights. Presenting this data can help persuade policymakers of the need for reform.
6. Legal Framework Development: Work towards establishing a clear legal framework defining who qualifies as an eligible voter from abroad, potentially including all Israeli passport holders or those with recent ties to the country.
The current status quo in refusing to change the status of Israelis living Abroad is ideological, irrational, arbitrary and disconnected from the current reality of global citizenship and digital nomadism:

Many Israelis live and work abroad, and, yet still maintain strong emotional and cultural ties to Israel.

These Israelis are not less loyal and less patriotic than Israelis living in Israel; the majority of them, including myself Frederic Eger, harbor strong Zionist sentiment and understand the necessity of protecting the existence of the “only Jewish State” on the planet, a state designed to be a safe haven and home for all the Jews in times of hardship, and, in times of peace and prosperity. 

Changing the ideology surrounding the political engagement of Israelis living abroad, promoting a more inclusive democratic process that recognizes their contributions and connections to Israel, is essential to the existence of Israel.

Contrary to what Tsabarim living in Israel think, Israel cannot exist without the Jews of the Diaspora and the Israelis living Abroad. 

All Israelis, those living in Israel and those living outside, the Jews, the Druze, the Muslims, the Christians, all Israelis must be equal before the Law. 

Inclusion is the key to Unity and Unity is the key to Survival:

"Divided we fall, Together we Stand."

The main reasons why a law on the Israeli Citizens of the Diaspora and The Jews of the Diaspora is urgently needed. (You may find the complete list of reasons here: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-a-law-for-israelis-abroad-to-vote-is-urgent) - A law proposal's first draft by Frederic Eger. 

1. In the aftermath of October 7th, an unprecedented rise of antisemitism and antizionism, between 150% and 1000% depending on the countries and the estimations of antisemitic acts, has surfaced from the shadows. The millennia old hate for Jews has finally reached an unprecedented level of absence of inhibition, beyond reason and control. While many Jewish and Zionist organizations have been campaigning to counter the "hate and genocidal narrative" spread globally by the Muslim Brotherhood, Jews remain uncoordinated and to some degree, isolated and insufficiently united to combat for the survival of the State of Israel but quite simply, the survival of Am Israel, the Jewish People. 

2. Am Israel is divided between the Left and the Right, inside and outside of Israel: there is an absolutely urgent need for unity, not behind a Prime Minister or President or a person, but behind the recognition of the existence of a Jewish people that, despite its political divergences and disagreements, must *unite now with Zionism and the State of Israel as the uniting epicenter and core! - There is the urgent need to coordinate an international long-term policy, strategy and action plan against antisemitism and antizionism, and having a law will unify outside the Zionist or religious or political organizations, and organize unity. "Stronger together, divided we fall" is an alert and a call for action that applies more than ever to the Jewish people. -

3. There is a legislative vacuum that must be filled.: the status of the Israelis Abroad and Members of Knesset representating the Israelis Abroad does not exist. After Seventy-Six (76) years of existence and the Kingdom of Israel before it, the State of Israel has reached the sufficient maturity and confidence to understand that the Israelis living abroad are an asset and an integral part of Israel that must not be lost in the jungle of the Nations, and that they must be put to contribution, be it for political campaign or security reporting or organizing social and cultural events...

4. Israel needs the manpower, the lobbying and the fundraising of the Israelis Abroad and the Jew of the Diaspora. Thirty percent of Israel's economy is dependent on the tech startup economy and ecosystem which is highly dependent on the stock markets, the support of American Jews and the Jews of the Diaspora. The "Startup Nation" is funded by foreign direct investors (FDI), who are mostly Diaspora Jews and Zionist Jews. Wouldn't it be about time to recognize beyond just a "Thank you", to reward these Jews who have given their time, their skills, knowledge, know-how, experience, industry and funds for the success of Israelis and Israel...? 

So let's give a status to the Israelis and Jews of Planet Earth and give them a status that will maintain and enhanced their bond until the end of times! -

Am Israel Chai! 

Frederic Eger

For those co-sponsors and co-petitioners who want to advocate to Israel's Knesset members, the details of the contacted Knesset members and organizations can be requested privately via email. 

***

Global Rise in Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism Since October 7, 2023.
According to the 2023 Antisemitism Worldwide Report released on May 5, 2024 by the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University (https://english.tau.ac.il/news/antisemitism-report-2024; Direct link to the report: http://cst.tau.ac.il/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AntisemitismWorldwide_2023_Final.pdf there has been an unprecedented surge in global antisemitism following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack against Israeli civilians. Some key statistics on the rise of antisemitism since October 7, 2023.

In the United States, the Anti-Defamation League recorded a 337% increase in antisemitic incidents between October 7, 2023 and January 7, 2024 compared to the same period the prior year.
*France saw a staggering rise from 436 antisemitic incidents in all of 2022 to 1,676 in 2023.
*The United Kingdom experienced a near quadrupling of antisemitic incidents, from 1,662 in 2022 to 4,103 in 2023.
*Germany saw a significant increase in politically motivated antisemitic crimes, rising from 2,639 in 2022 to 3,614 in 2023.
*Australia recorded a 591% increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023.

*In Switzerland, antisemitic incidents associated with Israel's war against Hamas in October 2023 manifested in physical assaults, offensive graffiti, verbal abuse, and antisemitic demonstrations. The number of real-world incidents almost tripled from 57 in 2022 to 155 in 2023, with the vast majority occurring after October 7.

Globally, the 2023 Antisemitism Worldwide Report serves as a stark warning about the resurgence of Jew-hatred in the 21st century, with dramatic increases in antisemitic incidents compared to 2022 even in the months preceding the October 7 attack, indicating an already worsening situation.

Sincere thanks to the courageous petition signatories! 

Albert Einstein:

“Nationalities do not want to be fused: they want to go each its own way. A state of pace can be brought about only if they mutually tolerate and respect one another. This demands above all things that we Jews become once more conscious of our nationality, and regard self-respect which is necessary to our national existence. We must learn once more to avow our ancestry and our history; we must once more take upon ourselves, as a nation, cultural task of a kind calculated to strengthen our feeling of solidarity. It is not sufficient for us to take part as individuals in the cultural work of mankind: we must also set our hands to some work which can serve the ends of our corporate national interest. In this way, and in this way only, can the Jewish people regain health.” 

“(…) If we really succeed at establishing a nucleus of the Jewish people in [Israel], we shall once more have a spiritual centre, notwithstanding that the great majority of us are scattered over the world, and the feeling of isolation will disappear. That is the great redeeming effect which I anticipate from the rebuilding of [Israel].

(…) We shall create there a completely coherent community, well fitted to form a moral and spiritual centre for the Jewish people. (…) In my opinion, it is not so important for [Israel] to become economically independent at the earliest possible moment as for it to possess a high spiritual and moral value for the whole Jewish people. (…) [Israel] will not solve the Jewish problem, but its development will mean a revival of the Jewish people”.

“Generally speaking, it does not accord with my ideal that communities bound together by the bond of race or tradition, [but] should make special efforts to cultivate and emphasise their separateness. 

In so far, however, as a given community is attacked as such, it is bound to defend itself as such, in order that its individual members may be able to maintain their material and spiritual interests. Corporate action is needed to save the individual from those spiritual dangers which isolation necessarily entails. Whoever understand this clearly must approve of united actions of all Jews for a corporate purpose, be he never unsympathetic in principle to nationalism.

It is for me beyond any shadow of doubt that in present circumstances the rebuilding of [Israel] is the only object which has a sufficiently strong appeal to stimulate the Jews to effective corporate action. It is the immortal service of Herzl that he was the first to see this clearly and to draw the right practical conclusions. 

For this reason I am convinced that every Jew who cares at all for the health and the dignity of Jewry must cooperate with all his power in the realisation of Herzl’s ideal.” 

-- Albert Einstein, About Zionism, 1931.

About the campaigner: 

Frederic Eger is an Israeli, Argentine and French independent journalist and filmmaker with almost three decades of experience in the media industries. He focuses on science, technology, space and global issues. Frederic holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Sorbonne and a certificate in producing from UCLA. He is a member of the several organizations, among them the Moon Society, the Mars Society, Icarus Interstellar... Frederic Eger is also known for his center-right Zionist views and has expressed a strong belief in the power of individuals to effect change in society. Albert Einstein, Michio Kaku or Theodore Herzl are among his models. Frederic Eger's latest blog at the "Times of Israel" on this Campaign: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-a-law-for-israelis-abroad-to-vote-is-urgent 

This is Am Israel's Knesset, the Parliament of the 120 Israelis, Israelis Abroad and Diaspora Jews elected by G-d and themselves to say, Israelis Abroad must have theright to vote at elections from their consulate outpost: 

Frederic Eger, Sarah Gomez, Sharon Weiss, Alina Rolando, Katrina Kalnberza, Suga Min, Olga Pavlova, Kristine Petrova, Sophie Cohen-Charbit, Jimmy McFregor, Jana Visnevska, Kate Omi, Leticia Unzueta, Luīze Gavere, Мяу Гав, Richie Mazalo, Marica Zake, Yoon Bomi, Arseny of Kaygorodov, Agnes Bricka, Artemy Knyazev, Johanna Afriat, Arie Jules Toledan, Michael Am Shalem, Edgars Playz, Sintija Graumane, Gustavs Heinsbergs, Rihards Oroslanovs, Ariana Rambadagalla, Vasilijs Vilks, Kikis K, Davide Racca, Krista Peika, Marta Uniresne, Muriel Elisabeth Kramer, Daniela Zavadska, Yuri Teixeira, Nick Dilk,  Luka A, Elvita Pundure, Eduards Gajevskis,  Inbar Ashbel, Sergejs Gorņiks, Marta Teplakova, Brenda Choi, Ilze Vidauska, Lynette Wrench, Vitalijs Nikolenko, Svetlana Velicko, Baiba Dale, Максим Никитин, Anna Rostic,Artemy Yasnensky, Alana Shimanoviča,Varvara Aladieva, Stanislav Shulzhenko, Alina Shvaiko, Samanta Kenina, Žanete Felsa, Alise Stepāne, Sintija Turkopole, Elina Nikitina, Olesja Aleksejeva, Alise Janulavica, Erica Maeng, Irina Rozevska, Angelina Galicka, Sintija Pogule, Viktorija Malinovska, Lelde Matroze, Saskia Polak, Polina Belova, Gabriela Gabriela, Kamila Millie, Christina Ribdry, Luize Čerņeņka, Odile Ilani, Anastasia Samatova, Jackie Hodgson, Tatjana Melesko, Daniel Nor, Alise Niparte, Boris Bobrov, Inga Hūna, Andrey Berdyugin, Evelyn Irbe, Anastasija Saltinuk, Gatis Krūmiņš, Saeed Ullah, Jurgis Liepins, Steven Cole, Muhammad Waqas, Sherdwali Khan, Islam Hussain, Agron Kodra, Hassan Raza, Yury Nikitin, Chowon Im, Mareks Cīrulis, Kristiana Leaigh, Maria Kalman, Moshe Shapoff,  Roberts Rancāns, Maria Thies, Eva Wasserman Margolis, Monica Wilner, Beth Orlan, Noa Spector-Flock, Ričs Stradiņš, Filips Klavins, Дарья Лоншакова, Veronika Bogdanova, Jelena Kudrjavceva, Krista Salcevica.