Union
of Orthodox Jewish Congregations Expresses Deep Concern Over "GENEVA
ACCORD” – Calls Upon Friends of Israel to
Respect Leadership of Sovereign Democratic Ally
The Union of
Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest
Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, expresses deep concern
about the extra-governmental activities that yielded the “Geneva
Accord” “signed” this week by Dr. Yossi Beilin and Mr. Yasser Abed
Rabbo. The people of Israel enjoy the blessings of living in the
only democracy in the Middle East, where public debate and dissent
is entirely appropriate. However, the process leading up to this
week’s “signing ceremony” was undertaken by private Israeli
citizens without the assent of the democratically elected
government of Israel and deliberately presented in a format
properly reserved for true governmental actions. We also regret
that the ceremony provided a platform for international figures to
criticize Israel unjustly and to hinder the efforts of the
legitimate Israeli government to pursue a true and lasting peace.
The so-called
“Accord” addresses many critical and sensitive issues that
profoundly affect the safety and security of the people of Israel,
matters which can only be decided by the people’s elected
leaders. The Orthodox Union is proud of its longstanding record
of support for the fundamental principle that it is only Israel’s
democratically elected leaders, regardless of party, who are
empowered to make decisions that will safeguard the security of
the Jewish state and her people.
We call upon
the friends of Israel everywhere -- especially in the United
States Department of State and the United States Congress – to
respect the right of a sovereign democratic ally’s leaders to
guide her policies and safeguard her citizens.
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