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This to Prime Minister Netanyahu

Reform Movement Leaders to PM Netanyahu: Help End Incitement
12/18/2015
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Contact: Max Rosenblum or Jacob Kraus
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org

Today, leaders of the Reform Jewish Movement addressed the following letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,

In these troubling and difficult times, we have witnessed a worrying escalation of incitement targeting both the Israeli President and human rights NGOs in Israel. We write both to express our concern about the violent and personal nature of these verbal attacks and to call on you to publically and privately use your power to change the tone of the conversation.

At its best, the presidency itself serves as a unifier for the state of Israel and all of its citizens, as well as for the Jewish people worldwide. The president’s personal commitment to the values of democracy and Judaism are a source of strength for Israel. Similarly, the work of human rights NGOs are an essential component of Israeli democracy, contributing to improving the morality of all Israeli institutions.

Israel faces unquestionable dangers and challenges regionally and in the broader international community. Yet meeting those challenges can only be rooted in strengthening the national commitment to democracy. Those who seek to curtail essential human rights will only serve to weaken the state, not strengthen it.

A particular concern is that the violent rhetoric doesn’t come only from the extremes, but is echoed by public figures, members of your government, and the media. That is why it is essential that you exercise your leadership to set the tone of civil discourse – preventing incitement and violence – regardless of any disagreements you may have with the views of the human rights NGOs. We have seen the horrors that occur when words of incitement turn to acts of violence; such incitement cannot go unchecked.

We look forward to your strong defense of the role of NGOs and Israeli presidency generally and a condemnation of incitement against President Rivlin specifically. Your leadership can change the direction of Israeli discourse and history.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Denise L. Eger, President, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Rabbi Steve A. Fox, CEO, Central Conference of American Rabbis
Anat Hoffman, Executive Director, Israel Religious Action Center
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director, Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism
Daryl Messinger, Chairman, Union for Reform Judaism Board of Trustees
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center
Rabbi Noa Sattath, Director, Israel Religious Action Center

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