I have been living in Eretz Yisrael for over twenty years, love it, love the way bli ayin hara the education my children have received which in Yiddishkeit is far more than I received. I love the fact that there is less emphasis on gashmiyus (though to my chagrin that is slowly changing even among the religious).
HOWEVER, I would never criticize those who do not come. Many people believe it or not are more SPIRITUALLY fulfilled in chutz la’aretz. Eretz Yisrael, and yes I have heard this from people who live in yishuvim as well, for whatever reason lacks that communal structure that many of us non New-Yorkers grew up with and sorely miss. Having less interaction with neighbors also means having less opportunity to give to others and to the tzibbur.
A young couple living near us had an opportunity to go to America to be marbitz Torah, my wife and I were extremely encouraging, though many others were not. What an opportunity. This is something they would not have over here and if from a ruchniyus perspective they could grow then this is what they should do. I have a friend who packed his bags ready to make aliyah when one day he said to his wife – we are growing here, we have Rabbanim, shiurim, we are a part of something. They decided not to come.
My brother told me he volunteers for the chevra kadisha sometimes and my sister is very active in bikkur cholim, these are things where there is less opportunity here and many people find great spiritual fulfillment in these things and they should be encouraged.
There are a whole host of reasons not to come, but I believe everything else can be overcome. The attitude here is difficult to handle, I think every Israeli is on guard that the other person might take advantage of him and therefore argues over what we see as nonsense. Just listen to all the road rage, the horn blowing behind you if you don’t react right away to a green light, this all comes from this attitude. The elections I also think have become holy of holies which to me is nonsense as well.
All these things are not insurmountable and if one is comfortable with who he is he can handle it. However, many people need to be involved in their communities and to give to others and there is no question that the opportunity in chutz la’aretz is far great.