Alex Soros, son of George Soros. The actor Mandy Patinkin. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers Union. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, who runs T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.
These and other progressive Jews are among those who signed a letter, under the aegis of Americans for Peace Now, urging U.S. President Joe Biden to “go beyond words and to take decisive action to demonstrate the seriousness of the situation.”
By the situation, the signatories mean judicial reform in Israel, in response to which they think “further actions are necessary to safeguard the democratic values the U.S.-Israel relationship is founded upon.”
“Going beyond words will make clear to Netanyahu’s government that its actions come with a price,” the signatories wrote.
Among their recommendations are appointing a new U.S. ambassador to Israel “immediately”; opening a “separate” U.S. consulate in Jerusalem to serve Palestinians; differentiating between Israel and “settlements”; and refraining from “automatically” defending Israel at the United Nations.
“Thank you for your unwavering commitment to upholding democracy and for your considerable efforts to deter Prime Minister Netanyahu from proceeding with the judicial overhaul In Israel. Your expressions of concern for Israel’s democracy and your frank criticisms of the Israeli government’s campaign to weaken the country’s judiciary has helped buoy the popular opposition to this alarming democratic backsliding,” said the letter in part.
It is not our intention to advocate for punitive measures against Israel, neither the state nor the people. Most Israelis oppose their government’s anti-democratic campaign. Hundreds of thousands of them have been protesting the government’s insistence on weakening the Supreme Court, which works to guarantee basic rights and liberties of all Israelis. These patriots deserve praise, not punishment, the letter continued.
“While Netanyahu’s government seems oblivious to domestic protest, it justifiably cares about Israel’s relationship with Washington. This relationship is Israel’s chief strategic asset,” said the letter.
Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate
Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Saba Fatima
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