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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Israel
Index
As of late 1988, Israel had a number of so-called
"nongovernment public sector" organizations, also known as
"national institutions." For all practical purposes, they
constituted an integral part of the government system, performing
functions that were vital to the fulfillment of Zionist aspirations
and to the maintenance of Israeli society. Political parties
competed for leadership and patronage within them. During the
Mandate period, these organizations served as the British
administration's officially recognized governing bodies for the
Jewish community in Palestine. The Jewish Agency Executive, for
instance, was recognized by the governments of Britain, the United
States, and other states and international organizations, including
the United Nations (UN). In the process of their work, the
organizations acquired considerable experience in self-rule, not to
mention jealously guarded bureaucratic prerogatives.
These bodies engaged in fund-raising in the
Diaspora (see Glossary),
operated social welfare services, and were involved in
education and cultural work. They operated enterprises, including
housing companies; organized immigration; and promoted Zionist
work. After Israel achieved independence, many of these services
were taken over by the state, but others remained under the control
of these well-entrenched organizations. They came to function side
by side with the government, and their activities often overlapped,
especially in the field of social welfare services. Until the early
1970s, these organizations were almost completely dominated by
Israeli governments; later, the organized representatives of
Diaspora Jewry began to function more independently.
Data as of December 1988
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