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November 29, 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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