An Anglo contribution to be proud of

Ari Harow, jpost.com

Regev image from article

Excerpt:

A few weeks ago the government of Israel voted to appoint Mark Regev, the prime minister’s foreign media advisor and spokesman, as Israel’s next ambassador to the United Kingdom. Although not a mainstay in the domestic Hebrew media, Mark’s international media appearances in defense of the Jewish state, the soldiers of the IDF and Israel’s elected leaders have afforded him legendary status. Jews across the world stand a little taller each time Mark appears on their television screens. ...

While Israel is gaining the consummate professional in Ambassador Regev, the prime minister and the State of Israel are also losing a key cog in our ongoing hasbara (public diplomacy) efforts. This void has generated much chatter in Anglo circles. The opening of such a senior and sensitive position has created tremendous buzz and great interest in the Anglo community. ...

It is well worth remembering that Regev is far from an isolated case of Anglos in high places, be it in the Prime Minister’s Office or other key decision-making bodies. ... Our fantastic ambassador to the United States and fellow Anglo Ron Dermer previously served as Netanyahu’s senior advisor. ...

The list could go on, but the pattern is clear. For a relatively small community, English-speakers play a disproportionately prominent role in our national affairs. In many ways, they always have. Legendary figures including Abba Eban, Moshe Arens, Yehuda Avner and of course prime minister Golda Meir spring to mind.

What is the secret behind this Anglo eminence? Much of it has to do with the Zionist values which play such a prominent role in the Jewish communities in which Anglos are raised. Jews in the United States and Canada, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa and elsewhere are so often instilled with an innate love for the Jewish people and a deep, unshakable commitment to Israel.

Anglo Jews are invariably motivated not only to build their lives in Israel, but to make a profound difference when they arrive.

This type of motivation, though, can only flourish with the encouragement of those in power. If anyone is attuned to the skills and values that Anglos bring to the Israeli table, it is Prime Minister Netanyahu. The years that he spent in the United States helped equip the prime minister with a keen insight into the English-speaking world, and has also helped fuel the deep personal relationships he enjoys with so many Anglos. ...

This unique partnership between our prime minister and our community has inevitably prompted huge interest among Anglos to become Mark Regev’s successor, to take on the mantle of being the veritable voice of Israel to the world. The huge success of Australian-born Regev and so many English speakers in the Prime Minister’s Office and other governmental bodies is testament to this special relationship. With that in mind, you can be sure that if an Anglo does step into Regev’s role, Israel will have an outstanding public representative to be proud of.