The Nation State Bill just passed by the Knesset endangers Israeli democracy, legalizes discrimination against 20 percent of Israeli citizens, threatens religious pluralism, and threatens the very future of Israel.
The passage of this bill, a change to Israel’s Basic Laws, comes during a week in which the Knesset also approved laws that attempt to silence human rights defenders, and that discriminate against LGBT Israelis. This week, Prime Minister Netanyahu has also strengthened his alliance with autocrats by praising the Trump-Putin summit, and welcoming Viktor Orban to Israel.
This Saturday night and Sunday, the Jewish world observes Tisha B’Av, the day that marks the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem, and that has come to commemorate a long series of tragedies in Jewish history. Our tradition holds that it was our own sins that led to the ruin of our holiest place. Today, in the days leading up to Tisha B’Av, the Israeli government has demonstrated its willingness to destroy the foundations of the State of Israel in pursuit of an anti-democratic and discriminatory agenda.
We find ourselves in a dangerous moment for democracy and human rights, in Israel, the United States, and around the world. But we cannot give up. The past 3,000 years of ups and downs in Jewish history have taught us that a better future is always possible. That’s why the 2,000 rabbis and cantors of T’ruah will continue to stand up to attacks on democracy and human rights, and to bring a moral voice and the power of our communities to working toward a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Media Contact
Julie Wiener, T’ruah Communications Director
jwiener@truah.org; 917-655-4586
About T’ruah
T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, brings together rabbis and cantors from all streams of Judaism, together with all members of the Jewish community, to act on the Jewish imperative to respect and advance the human rights of all people. Grounded in Torah and our Jewish historical experience and guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we call upon Jews to assert Jewish values by raising our voices and taking concrete steps to protect and expand human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories.