These threats should not only bind us together but also remind us of the reason why Israel is so important as a safe haven for all Jews. As the preeminent former Canadian justice minister and human rights activist Irwin Cotler noted at a session during our mission: “Antisemitism is an assault on our common humanity.” The global rise of Jewish-hatred is increasingly prevalent in the US, Europe and elsewhere, on the street, on campus and online. But the scars of terror can never truly be healed.Īnother, increasingly deadly threat, is the danger of antisemitism. I spoke with their families and expressed the wishes of all of the American Jewish community for their speedy recovery. I visited some of the victims of the recent wave of attacks treated at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. The Biden administration made welcome assurances of its opposition to Iran’s oppressive regime acquiring nuclear weapons – particularly as it supplies arms to Russia.Ī further threat is the increase in Palestinian terror on Israel’s streets. We are proud of the role we play as an organization and as a community, in keeping the Iranian threat high on the agenda in the US. Iran continues its march toward nuclear weapons while continuing its malevolent activities across the region and globe. But division and disunity has always been our downfall, from time immemorial. Debate – respectful debate – has always been our strength, from the days of the Talmud onward. In all these meetings, we made but one request as non-citizens, as Israel’s brothers and sisters abroad: let our disagreements strengthen us, not divide us. We attended committee meetings in the Knesset with an array of parties and we were honored to be welcomed by President Isaac Herzog at the President’s Residence. We enjoyed addresses from senior government and opposition figures.
#RED ALARM ISRAEL FULL#
Last week, as on every mission to Israel, we met representatives of nearly the full spectrum of Israeli politics. We have significant discourses on the issues of the day while striving to form a consensus respected by all. It includes Right and Left, all the religious streams, non-political civil society organizations and more.
In terms of its political opinions, the Conference of Presidents is as diverse as Israel. Democracy is not just majority rule, it is also about tolerance, acceptance and mutual respect. However, regardless of one’s view of the proposed policies, our message is clear: Israel’s political leaders must insist on a more respectful tone and debate. We are extremely anxious by the way in which Israel’s enemies are crowing, arming themselves with every criticism and rejoicing in our public disagreements. We are concerned by the debate’s tone and lack of respect. In the US, Europe and elsewhere, such a public division is sadly all too common, but as Jews and proud supporters of Israel, to see such turmoil in the world’s only Jewish state is even more painful. This is, of course, not a phenomenon unique to Israel. The current public debate is arguably more polarized than ever before. There is no denying the highly divisive reality that Israel is facing today. As representatives of the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, we are here to engage, listen but also be heard. We were interrupted for only one year of COVID and we were the first to return immediately after travel restrictions were lifted. We were here during the Second Intifada, the Gaza disengagement and the Second Lebanon War. We were here during the debate surrounding the Oslo Accords and after Rabin’s heinous murder.
Our mission is now an essential component of the relationship between Israel and its best and greatest friend, the US, as well as between Israelis and American Jewry. The Conference of Presidents brings the heads of more than 50 of the largest Jewish organizations in the US together with Israel’s political, social, economic and security leadership. Last week, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations held its 48th annual National Leadership Mission to Israel. If (slot) slot.addService(googletag.We believe in the resilience of Israeli democracy and know that it will be able to deal with the tremendous challenges it faces. (function (a, d, o, r, i, c, u, p, w, m) Red Alert Israel News and latest stories | The Jerusalem Post
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