November 28, 2005

President of Orthodox Union Calls Upon American Friends of Israel to Respect Israel's Government and Democracy in Months Leading Up to New Elections

Today -- in the wake of last week's dissolution of Israel's parliament by President Katsav and the scheduling of elections for March, 2006 -- Stephen J. Savitsky, President of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (the nation's largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization) called upon American Jews who are friends and supporters of Israel to respect and not intervene -- through direct acts or through lobbying the United States government -- in Israeli government decisions and in the upcoming Israeli elections. Mr. Savitsky issued the following statement:

“Jews throughout the world, and certainly in the United States, take great pride in the fact that Israel has been a beacon of democracy in the Mideast for more than half a century.

“Jews in the United States hold diverse and passionate opinions about Israel and the challenges she confronts. This passion is laudable when it deepens our connection to the Jewish State.

“But this same passion ought not be channeled into inappropriate interventions in the policy decisions of the duly elected Israeli government, Israel's elections or into lobbying the American government to pressure Israel to make concessions it would not otherwise make.

“Reports of recent efforts by Mr. Seymour Reich and the Israel Policy Forum to urge American government officials to pressure Israel to make certain concessions is not only disrespectful to Israel's government but offensive to millions of American Jews who categorically reject such an approach.

“The period from now until March 28 is one in which friends of Israel must respect the right of her citizens to passionately debate issues and vote for leaders who share their views. It is not a time -- especially in the wake of the wrenching withdrawal from Gaza -- for actions which undermine Israel, even if motivated by good intentions. We call upon all friends of Israel to adhere to these principles.”

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