Today, 13 leading American Jewish organizations submitted a letter to Knesset opposition leader Isaac Herzog expressing opposition to the discriminatory “Nation-State Bill,” which is currently advancing in the Knesset. The bill would alter Israel’s constitution-level Basic Law in ways that pose severe risks to minority rights and Israel’s democratic foundation. The letter is signed by the New Israel Fund, J Street, T’ruah, Americans for Peace Now, Ameiny, Avtzim’s Green Zionist Alliance, Habonim Dror North America, Hashomer Hatzair North America, Keshet, Reconstructing Judaism, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Right Now: Advocates for Asylum Seekers in Israel, and Tivnu: Building Justice.
Herzog is set to assume the role of Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel next month.
“The defining characteristic of a modern democracy is its promise to protect the rights of all people,” write the organizations. “This bill would remove that democratic basis and give constitutional protection to policies that could discriminate against minorities, including women, Palestinian citizens, racial minorities, LGBT people, non-Orthodox Jews, Muslims, Druze, Christians, and others.”
Full text of the letter is below, and available as a PDF document here.
The Honorable Isaac HerzogLeader of the OppositionThe KnessetJerusalem, IsraelJuly 12, 2018Knesset Member Herzog:We write to express our strong concerns about the Nation-State Bill, which would enshrine discrimination into Israel's basic laws.Israel's Declaration of Independence states a clear vision for the democratic foundation of the state,including "it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex." We share President Rivlin's view that this bill is completely incompatible with that vision.The defining characteristic of a modern democracy is its promise to protect the rights of all people. This bill would remove that democratic basis and give constitutional protection to policies that could discriminate against minorities, including women, Palestinian citizens, racial minorities, LGBT people, non-Orthodox Jews, Muslims, Druze, Christians, and others.A woman must not be forced to the back of a bus anywhere in a democratic Israel. An LGBT Israeli mustnot be excluded from any part of public life or barred from living or working where they please. A Mizrahi Jew must not be denied housing because she is "incompatible" with the ethnic identity of a village. Any Jew must be allowed to pray at all of Judaism's holiest sites, regardless of her adherence to Orthodoxy. A Palestinian citizen must be respected and acknowledged as a minority nationality in the state, including respect for her native Arabic language. Muslims, Druze, Christians, and other religious minorities must not know exclusion and discrimination unbefitting a modern, democratic state.As American Jews, a minority in our country, we know the value of a diverse and multicultural society. Our lives are enriched by participating in a civic and communal life that includes multitudes of peoples, religions, and cultures. We also know that this value can only be realized because our constitution guarantees that we share the same rights and freedoms as our fellow Americans.As you transition to your new role as Chair of the Jewish Agency, please look beyond this political moment toward the future that lies ahead for Israel and all its people. Israel's founding vision provides a blueprint for its greatest potential legacy: a truly democratic state that protects the rights of all, and fulfills our right as Jews to self-determination.Sincerely,AmeinuAmericans for Peace NowAytzim's Green Zionist AllianceHabonim Dror North AmericaHashomer Hatzair North AmericaJ StreetKeshetNew Israel FundReconstructing JudaismReconstructionist Rabbinical AssociationRight Now: Advocates for Asylum Seekers in IsraelT'ruahTivnu: Building JusticeCC:The Honorable Shuli Moalem RefaeliThe Honorable Tzachi HanegbiThe Honorable Yoel HassonThe Honorable Jamal ZahalkaThe Honorable Yoav Ben TzurThe Honorable Orli Levi-AbekasisThe Honorable Eliezer MosesThe Honorable Micki LeviThe Honorable Robert IlatovThe Honorable Roee FolkmanThe Honorable Ilan Gilon