Coming Home: Media and Returning Diaspora in Israel and Germany

APPENDIX

APPENDIX The items presented to the participants were chosen after analyzing eighty issues (forty in each country) of the four most popular Russian-language newspapers between the years 1995 and 2000: the daily Vesti and weekly Globus in Israel; the biweekly Kontakt and monthly Semljaki in Germany. The items were chosen for the high frequency of certain issues throughout the period in question, as well as for their relevance to the discussion on the social and cultural integration of the immigrants and the role of the Russianlanguage newspapers in covering these issues. In both countries, items chosen referred to three main subjects: the attitudes of the host society toward Russian-speaking immigrants; the immigrants’ affinity to the Russian culture; and the immigrants’ political activity. ITEMS PRESENTED IN ISRAEL NOSIK, A. (NOVEMBER 9, 1995). THE FACE OF THE ENEMY. VESTI, PP. 8–10. Who can fill the role of the enemy; one who can divert the audience’s attention from the urgent social issues? The enemy must characteristically be a foreigner, someone who resembles an external enemy. And indeed, the new FSU immigrants are ideally suited to this role . . . as several examples will prove: despite the fact that only 2.5% of the immigrants forged their driving licenses, it did not prevent the Transportation Bureau from declaring a “terrible threat” and making all “Russian” driving licenses illegal. Another accusation hurled at the Russian immigrant community by a well-known economic commentator , blamed all FSU immigrants, who had come with money from apartments they had sold, of belonging to the “Russian mafia,” turning first Cyprus and then Israel into a “money laundering machine.” PRILUTZKI, A., GROSSMAN, S., AND KOTLARSKI, M. (NOVEMBER 12, 1998). THE ‘RUSSIAN’ REVOLUTION IN LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES. VESTI, PP. 1–2. As of now, FSU immigrants are represented in nearly every locality they live: from Katzrin to Eilat. . . . Separate notice should be paid to 151 152 APPENDIX the formidable success of the list “Bayit Shelanu (Our Home)-Ashdod,” who won nine representatives on the town council. By virtue of this victory, the “Russian” fraction became the strongest on the council. . . . Natan Sharanski believes that the success of the “Russian ” lists in local elections points to the overall success of this Aliyah. . . . According to Sopha Landver, local elections bring to power future leaders of Israeli politics. . . . Avigdor Liberman believes that election results point to the victory of the “Russian” alignment. PODRAJENSKI, S. (MARCH 8, 1999). HAPPY HOLIDAY! GLOBUS, P. 2. Evidently we are living in the West; after all, as here it is that on “March 8” the professional associations celebrate, rather than the entire public of women. . . . There, in our pre-historic homeland, “March 8” was a holiday; not necessarily a Soviet one, as opposed to party holidays, but flowers, wine, hugs and kisses were the order of the day. We’d begin celebrating from the eve of the holiday; at work, at school. The next day, was a day off, and the celebrations went on . . . whereas here, in our old-new homeland, we really need such a holiday. We need at least one day a year to cherish our women. Have you, who are now reading these lines, bought flowers for your mother, wife, girlfriend, or the very least, your mother-inlaw ? If not, do it now, immediately! . . . This is the International Women’s Day, so may you all, dear women, have a happy holiday! ITEMS PRESENTED IN GERMANY NAIFELD, K. (OCTOBER 1999). OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE. SEMLJAKI, P. 3. No reasonable person would refuse an inheritance, if he is entitled to it by right rather than by charity. So why must we lose our cultural heritage; one that has been achieved by the previous generations? . . . As well as losing the Russian language, we will also lose contact with the great Russian culture, the reading of books and understanding theater in this language. This problem is particularly severe among our children, who no longer know the spoken language, not to mention reading and writing. . . . After having fit into German society, it is our duty to give serious thought to the fact that besides losing a homeland, we will also lose its language and culture. LOWEN, G. (DECEMBER 1997). WHY SHNEIDER FAMILY HAS BEEN EXPELLED. KONTAKT, P. 3. Voices saying “who will protect our interests” will remain in the air as long as half of our compatriots do not vote and the other half 153 APPENDIX choose a party...