To the Jewish Federations of North America and the 2023 General Assembly Attendees,

It is with both deep pain and tremendous hope that we write this letter.
The actions taken since January by the current Israeli government and its plans, should they come to fruition, would lead to the end of Israel as a democratic state and as a homeland for all Jews. While never a perfect democracy, Israel has always maintained a strong judicial branch with a democratic structure and checks and balances that have provided equality and protection to all of its citizens. Painfully, we see how Netanyahu’s government, without broad consensus, is attempting to void the power of the judicial branch in order to promote legislation that would jeopardize civil and human rights. This legislation would put at risk women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, religious and ethnic minority rights within Israel, the rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories, the right to pray as non-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem’s holiest site, and even the right to make Aliyah.

Yet, we are also hopeful: It is Israelis themselves who are keeping us optimistic. Over the last three months, we have seen the largest protest movement in the country’s history—a coalition of Israelis across the political spectrum fighting for Israel’s democracy. We are inspired by hundreds of thousands of our sisters and brothers in Israel, who are standing firm, day after day and week after week, supporting Israel’s democratic institutions and demanding justice for all in the country.

We all share core Jewish values – a commitment to tzedek (justice), to tikkun olam (repairing the world), and to ahavat Israel, love of Israel. As was stated by last month’s JFNA senior delegation to Israel, we are also “worried that certain aspects of the proposed reforms could have a very negative impact on the relationship between our communities and Israel.”  Across North America, week after week, thousands of us, from San Diego to Boston, Seattle to Miami, Atlanta to Vancouver, New York, Washington, and Toronto – Israeli expats, rabbis, Jewish communal leaders, and Jewish community members  –  have been rallying together in solidarity with the people of Israel to firmly oppose the Netanyahu government’s judicial overhaul.

In honor of Israel’s 75 years of independence, a miracle to marvel, the Jewish Federations of North America will hold its General Assembly in Israel. We were saddened to learn that JFNA invited to the event’s main stage two of the main architects of the attack on Israel’s democracy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Member of Knesset Simcha Rothman, Chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Both of these politicians initiated and relentlessly continue to promote the judicial overhaul. Despite a tactical pause, our time is running out. One week after the General Assembly, the Israeli Knesset will resume its work, and the anti-democratic legislation is now at a point where within one meeting of the Knesset, Israel could lose its democratic foundation.

Therefore, we ask the leadership of JFNA  to revoke these invitations and not grant Netanyahu and Rothman access to our communal stage. As leaders of our communities here in North America, we ask you to take a stand and support the majority of Israelis, former leaders of Israel’s security and defense forces, and leaders from academia, the tech industry, and civil society organizations. PM Netanyahu and MK Rothman should not be allowed to use the 2023 JFNA General Assembly as a platform to incite against those who defend democracy or in order to parade false unity and pseudo-shared values. Our communal stage should not be used to legitimize or further advance the attacks on Israel’s democracy or on those fighting to defend it.

In the spirit of the Zionist vision, the Declaration of Independence, which we will all celebrate this month, and with hope for a just, prosperous, and democratic Israel that will continue to thrive for the benefit of all its inhabitants and neighbors and will continue to be the Jewish People’s homeland.

Nesiah tovah, Safe travels,

UnXeptable North America- Saving the Israeli Democracy

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About UnXeptable:

UnXeptable is a worldwide grassroots movement led by Israeli expats in support of a democratic and liberal Israel. We call on world Jewry and supporters of Israel to come together and preserve the democratic identity of Israel as the home of all Jewish people.