Since independence, Israeli polity has muddled through from one crisis to
another at high cost, including human lives, with the help of its powerful
Western ally. Although Israel has met many challenges, some serious issues
have not yet been addressed satisfactorily; some remain unsolved inten-
tionally and are likely to become critical in the future.

The relationship between the Jews in Israel and those in the diaspora is
highly problematic. Some observers draw a direct, even an inseparable link
between the Jews who live inside Israel and those who live outside. Many
say the Jews are "one people," with the same identity and interests. The fact
that almost all Jews now live in countries from which they are free to leave
but that relatively few choose to come to Israel does not seem to affect this
unity. Other observers, fewer in number, consider Israeli Jews a distinctive
nation. A major challenge for the future will be to determine the nature of
Jewish religion and national identities and the kind of relationship that
should exist between them--a difficult task.

According to Israeli law, Israel does not belong to its citizens alone but to
the entire Jewish people. Many diaspora Jews share a strong spiritual tie
with the Jewish community in Israel. They are eager for news of Israel,
some support Israel financially, and some send their children to spend time
there. Some call themselves Zionists without moving to Israel. Israeli polit-
ical institutions are structured to perpetuate these ties: The Jewish Agency,

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