In his address yesterday to the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called for a dramatic change in the financial relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, arguing that the "situation in which Diaspora Jews are the philanthropists and Israel is the recipient cannot continue."

As a result, the Agency will form a new steering committee for the preparation of a plan for the implementation of the government's new policy vis-a-vis the Diaspora, as presented by Olmert in his speech.

Today, the board will convene to discuss the subject of coordination between the Agency's leadership and the cabinet, as well as to appoint the new steering committee, whose plan of action is intended to be brought before the governors next year.

The prime minister went on to say that Diaspora Jews have nurtured Israel over the last 60 years, and that for the next six decades, Israel must take it upon itself to nurture the Jewish people. "Israel and Diaspora Jews must be united, not only in past successes but also in preserving the future," he said.

Olmert presented the board with statistics on such topics as intermarriage among world Jewry, and the low affinity to Israel and Zionism felt by young Jews abroad.

He also described a number of programs and projects proposed by the government, intended to encourage young Jews to visit Israel, to send Israelis abroad to serve as educators in Jewish schools, and the launching of Israeli "culture houses" around the world.

Olmert explained that these projects will require a much larger investment than in the past, and voiced hope that Diaspora Jews will in fact donate the funds, but did not name a sum. To date, the government has invested some $120 million in such initiatives.

He also said that the Agency will have to undergo a dramatic change in its organizational structure and its method of management. He suggested that the organization change its name from "Jewish Agency for Israel" to "Agency for Israel and the Jewish People."

Copyright Ha'aretz News 2008