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March 10, 2000/3 Adar II 5760, Vol. 52, No.27
Sharansky hopes to mold compassionate government
LENI REISS
Senior Contributing Editor
A large oil painting of Andrei Sakharov, a gift from the Russian government, dominates the otherwise bare, spartan Knesset office of Natan Sharansky, the former Soviet refusenik and KGB prisoner who now serves as Israel's minister of the interior.
"He was my great teacher and friend and comrade in arms," Sharansky said of the late, renowned physicist and human rights advocate.
And it is clear that while Sharansky has adjusted to the rough and tumble world of Israeli politics, having set aside his icon status for the power of parliament, he strives to emulate Sakharov in seeking a compassionate form of government.
During a visit with American journalists in Jerusalem to attend an international conference, Sharansky, tieless in a white shirt and dark suit, was open and articulate, speaking rapidly and passionately, in heavily accented English.
Sharansky talked primarily about Israel and the Diaspora, observing that "Israel feels the Diaspora is doomed to extinction and that the only way not to disappear is to come here. But before they disappear," he said wryly, "Israelis feel that Diaspora Jews should support the Jewish state financially, so at least their money won't disappear."
On the other hand, Sharansky observed, from the Diaspora point of view, "Israel is the poor relation that you must help. And there is the belief that wars were won and new towns have sprung up only because of financial support from the Diaspora."
These sentiments "still are in the minds of many," Sharansky said. He said that one of his priorities is to work toward the development of "an equal partnership."
"We still need each other," he said. "Israel without the Diaspora will lose the idea of chosen people and become just another Middle Eastern country. The Diaspora helps renew the Jewish story. Sabras (native Israelis) should see that the Diaspora is part of their history and their life as well as vice versa."
"Israel's relationship with the Diaspora is as important as the peace process," he said.
The former Soviet resident, who recently celebrated a decade as a resident of the Jewish state, also commented on the status of his co-religionists who remain in the states of the former Soviet Union.
"Rebuilding the Jewish community there is important," he said, "but if people ask me, I tell them, 'If you have a choice of renting there - or buying - I say rent.' "
"There is no doubt," he said, "that what makes people make aliyah (move to Israel) is the quality of Jewish life they can experience. So as the Jewish component in their life becomes more important, they will want to come to Israel. And it is the same with Jews in America."
He said he is optimistic about bringing a second million people from the former Soviet Union to join their brothers and sisters in the Jewish state - "and then to bring a third million Jews from the United States."
Leni Reiss was in Israel last week for the International Jewish Media Conference.
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