Editor's Notes: Milei’s torch should push Israel to think about its extra nine million

The Jerusalem Post's editorial notes on Javier Milei's torch ceremony on Mount Herzl delve into a significant subtext often overlooked: Israel's engagement with a broader spectrum of individuals connected to the Jewish story. While Milei's admiration for Judaism and Israel is a public display, the ceremony serves as a powerful, albeit symbolic, moment to consider the millions who stand close to the Jewish people but don't fit neatly into traditional categories. This includes descendants of Jews, anusim, and others seeking a closer bond without necessarily converting.

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How should the Jewish state speak to people who stand close to the Jewish story, sometimes very close, but do not fit neatly into one box?

Our perspective at The Jerusalem Post is that Israel's approach to these individuals has historically been characterized by a 'lazy' avoidance or a conflation of distinct categories. This is not just a matter of semantics; it has demographic and strategic implications. Demographer Sergio DellaPergola's estimates point to a 'wider Law of Return population' of nearly nine million people. This significant demographic reality, as highlighted in our editorial, demands a more nuanced and proactive approach from Israel. Ignoring or mischaracterizing this group allows external forces to shape their connection to Judaism and Israel, potentially in ways that do not benefit the Jewish world.

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If we don’t learn to speak to them more clearly, others will – and they will not always do it in a way that strengthens Israel or the Jewish world.

This issue is uniquely important from an Israeli perspective because it directly relates to our identity as the Jewish state and our future. The Law of Return is a cornerstone of modern Israel, but its application and the broader question of who constitutes 'the Jewish people' or 'close to the Jewish people' requires continuous re-evaluation. The editorial implicitly calls for a more sophisticated dialogue, recognizing that these 'concentric circles of Jewish connection' represent a vital, growing population. Failing to engage them effectively is not just a missed opportunity; it's a potential detriment to the long-term strength and continuity of the Jewish people and Israel.

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He is measuring concentric circles of Jewish connection and eligibility, not deciding who is Jewish according to rabbinic law.