Israel

• Statement on the Formation of a New Israeli Government (November 18, 2022)
  The State of Israel and the world’s Jewish Diaspora communities have a relationship built on a common history and shared values. The reality of a ruling coalition in Israel that will include dozens of Knesset members who freely express racist, homophobic and anti-democratic beliefs is frightening and is an anathema to Progressive Judaism.

• Reconstructionist movement in solidarity with Israeli organizations protesting raids on Palestinian human rights groups (August 24, 2022)
  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have signed on to a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on the U.S. Administration to urge Israel’s government to provide clear evidence of terrorism or reverse course in its policies towards the affected organizations.
• The occupation is at the heart of the stream of painful headlines coming from Israel (June 2, 2022)
  We join with those in Israel, the United States, and around the world who are speaking out forcefully against these events, and against the ongoing occupation that provides the context in which these moral catastrophes continue.
• A mid-Passover message during a time of pain in Israel and Palestine (April 20, 2022)
  Three sacred seasons are overlapping – Passover, Ramadan, and Easter – days of holiness that celebrate liberation, humility, compassion, and rebirth. We dearly wish that we could be marking this confluence of holy days with celebrations of steady and courageous steps forward towards peace, justice, and co-existence in Israel and Palestine.
• Statement on Terrorist Attacks in Israel (April 8, 2022)
  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are horrified and saddened by yesterday’s terrorist attack in Tel Aviv, and by the recent attacks against Israelis in Beersheva, B’nei Brak, and Hadera.
• Responding to Amnesty International’s report on Israel and the charge of apartheid (February 7, 2022)
  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have issued the following statement in response to the recent Amnesty International report:

  Apartheid is one of the most shocking words in the English language, conjuring images of the brutal and racist South African regime that decades of struggle brought to an end in 1994. Last week, Amnesty International became the latest human rights organization to accuse Israel of the crime of apartheid. Amnesty’s report follows reports by Human Rights Watch and by the Israeli human rights organization, B’Tselem, both of which level the same charge. Over the past several days, we have taken the time needed to study Amnesty’s 280-page report and develop our response.

• Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association join letter urging US Senate to fund Iron Dome replenishment (January 13, 2022)
  Today, Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association along with 10 other national Jewish organizations urged the Senate to quickly approve funding for the replenishment of Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. While the House overwhelmingly voted, on a bipartisan basis, to fund its replenishment last year, the legislation has stalled in the Senate.
• Reconstructing Judaism joins Progressive Israel Network to welcome indefinite postponement of settlement construction in E-1 Area (January 11, 2022)
  The Progressive Israel Network (PIN) welcomes the news that the Israeli government will not be building Jewish settlements in the E-1 for the near future. We applaud the Biden Administration’s efforts to prevent such construction, and urge them to continue to push back against settlement expansion more broadly.
• Calling on Gantz to reconsider designation of Palestinian human rights and civil society groups as “terrorists” (November 1, 2021)
  The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) and Reconstructing Judaism express deep concern over last week’s decision by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to declare six Palestinian human rights groups to be “terror organizations.” Absent compelling evidence, this policy enacts a draconian measure that will criminalize critical human rights work.
• Statement on the Spiraling Violence between Israelis and Palestinians (May 14, 2021)
  The spiraling violence that began in Jerusalem and now includes all of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank is heartbreaking and frightening. We condemn the rocket attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad that have targeted civilians, claimed Israeli lives, and terrified children. We also mourn the scores of dead in Gaza, including dozens of children, and we call on Israel’s leaders to remember that their powerful military response can be devastating for families and children there.
• A Welcome Israeli Supreme Court Ruling on Non-Orthodox Conversions (March 4, 2021)
  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association welcome the recently announced landmark ruling by Israel’s Supreme Court to recognize non-Orthodox conversions carried out in Israel for the purposes of matters relating to eligibility for Israeli citizenship.
• Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association join chorus of Jewish voices opposing KKL-JNF plan to purchase West Bank land to expand settlements (February 19, 2021)
  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association strongly oppose the plan of Keren Kayemet L’Israel / Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) to expand Jewish settlements by purchasing private land in the West Bank. We join our friends and colleagues in the Reform movement, the Masorti (Conservative) movement, Liberal Judaism (UK), the Reform Movement in Israel, the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and many others in the global Jewish community in speaking out against this plan.
• In support of Israeli organizations urging their government to provide immediate access to the COVID-19 vaccination in the West Bank and Gaza (February 5, 2021)
  We join the call of the many Israeli organizations that are urging their leaders to act quickly and cooperatively with the Palestinian Authority to develop a vaccination plan that will meet the urgent public health needs of everyone living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Because COVID-19 knows no boundaries, the wellbeing of Palestinians is inextricably connected to that of Israelis.
• Progressive Israel Network Groups Oppose Codification of IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, Citing Strong Potential for Misuse (January 12, 2021)
  As organizations that care deeply about the State of Israel and about the wellbeing of the Jewish people, we are deeply committed to the struggle against antisemitism. We are thus obligated to share our concerns about ways in which the effort to combat antisemitism is being misused and exploited to instead suppress legitimate free speech, criticism of Israeli government actions, and advocacy for Palestinian rights. In particular, the effort to enshrine in domestic law and institutional policy the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, with its accompanying “contemporary examples,” risks wrongly equating what may be legitimate activities with antisemitism.
• Reconstructing Judaism joins Progressive Israel Network in Opposing New Settlement Expansion Moves (December 8, 2020)
  We are alarmed by the recent set of moves by the government of Israel to initiate settlement projects and take other provocative and harmful actions in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, including home demolitions and forced evictions, which further damage the possibility of a negotiated future two-state solution.
• Against Annexation (July 10, 2020)

  We strongly support Senator Chris Van Hollen’s proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which stipulates that US security assistance to Israel cannot be used to implement unilateral annexation in the West Bank.

• Support Project Rozana (July 6, 2020)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are encouraging congregations and individuals to support this life-saving fund-raising effort organized by Project Rozana, a well-respected international non-profit organization that is leading a project supported by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to purchase badly needed ventilators for West Bank and Gaza hospitals in light of the current COVID-19 spike in the region, which threatens to overwhelm Palestinian hospital ICUs.

• Over 600 Jewish Clergy Call on the Israeli Government to Abandon Plans for Annexing the West Bank (June 18, 2020)

  More than 600 rabbis, cantors and seminary students from across the country — including many Reconstructionist rabbis and rabbinic students — have signed on to a public letter warning that the Israeli government’s threatened unilateral annexation in the West Bank “would be a catastrophic mistake…violate human rights, weaken democracy, and make Israelis and Palestinians less secure.”

• Ten American Jewish Organizations Send Letter to Gantz, Ashkenazi Opposing Annexation (June 17, 2020)

  Members of the Progressive Israel Network penned the following letter to Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi opposing annexation.

• Annexation Endangers the Security and Democracy of Israel (May 21, 2020)

  Recontructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are signatories to the following appeal from J-Link, an international network of progressive Jewish organizations from
  Israel, the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Australia.

• Statement on New Settlement Expansion Announcements (February 27, 2020)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are alarmed by the Netanyahu government’s recent announcement that seeks to expand settlements in a way that would cut through Palestinian population centers and deny contiguity to a future Palestinian state. Previous Republican and Democratic US administrations have rejected similar plans with good reason. We call on the Netanyahu government to cancel these plans, and we call on all American Jewish organizations that support a two-state solution to join in this urgent message. We continue to oppose unilateral territorial annexation on the part of the Israeli government, and we remain committed to a just, democratic, and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians within a framework of two states for two peoples.

• Statement on Trump Proposal on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (January 29, 2020)

  For decades Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association have advocated for a negotiated, two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on security, dignity, human rights, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

• Progressive Israel Network Commends Passage of House Resolution 326 Opposing Annexation, Supporting Two-State Solution (December 9, 2019)

  As leading progressive pro-Israel organizations in the American Jewish community, we commend the House of Representatives for passing House Resolution 326. This landmark resolution, which reaffirms support for a two-state solution, marks the first time the House has formally opposed unilateral Israeli annexation of the West Bank and asserted longstanding US opposition to settlements.

• Response to US Policy Shift on Settlement Legality (November 20, 2019)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association are disappointed by and strongly oppose the recent policy statement by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declaring that the U.S. no longer views Israeli West Bank settlements as inconsistent with international law.

• Statement on Recent Rocket Attacks on Israel (November 13, 2019)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the 300 rockets indiscriminately launched at Israel from the Gaza Strip over the past few days.

• Letter to Israeli Political Leadership Opposing Annexation (November 5, 2019)

  As heads of American Jewish organizations who care deeply about the State of Israel and are committed to safeguarding its future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people, we implore you to consider the costs of any unilateral annexations in the West Bank, and ask that you refuse to support annexation as a policy guideline for any government that your party may join.

• Statement Opposing Netanyahu’s Annexation Pledge (September 10, 2019)

  Both Israelis and Palestinians want and deserve to live in peace, with justice and dignity. Israelis deserve to live in a healthy and vibrant democracy. Palestinians deserve to live free from occupation.

• Statement on Israeli Government Decision to Bar Entry to Reps. Omar and Tlaib (August 15, 2019)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association strongly oppose the decision of the Government of Israel to deny entry into Israel to U.S. Congressional Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

• Rabbi Deborah Waxman co-authors op-ed on xenophobic dangers and democratic hopes in Israel and U.S. (July 26, 2019)

  These demagogues sow fear and stoke racial tension. They promote an exclusivist, chauvinist white nationalism. But they will not win. Jewish history teaches us that tyranny cannot sustain itself. From Pharaoh to the Roman Emperors to the monarchs who expelled us from multiple parts of Europe, Jews have outlasted the tyrants who have sought our destruction. And we American Jews know that the only way for the Israel-America friendship to survive — and not be tossed out along with these demagogues — is to center our democratic values.

• New Progressive Israel Network Launched By Ten Leading Jewish Organizations (June 24, 2019)

  Today, ten leading organizations representing Americans who are committed to pursuing democracy, equality and peace in Israel announced the launch of the Progressive Israel Network. The new coalition will provide a strong, unified voice in support of its members’ common goals: democracy and equal rights, religious freedom and pluralism, and a two-state solution that would secure a peaceful future for Israel and end the 52-year-long occupation.

• Endorsement of House Resolution in Support of Two-State Solution (June 19, 2019)

  Reconstructing Judaism joins nine other Jewish organizations in endorsing House Resolution 326, which reaffirms longstanding bipartisan support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opposes any US actions that would encourage or endorse unilateral Israeli annexations in the West Bank.

• Invitation to Support Israelis Opposing Kahanists in Knesset (March 4, 2019)

  Reconstructing Judaism invites communities to show solidarity with thousands of Israelis who are taking action to try to prevent Kahanists from being allowed to enter the Knesset.

• Kahanists are a Danger to Israelis and Israeli Democracy (February 21, 2019)

  We call on our colleagues in the American Jewish community and Jewish organizations to stand for democracy and equality and join us in affirming that Kahanists have no place in the Knesset.

• Statement on Recent Events in Israel (December 14, 2018)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn and are saddened by the recent terror attacks by Palestinian extremists against Israeli soldiers, police and civilians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

• Statement on October 7th Terrorist Attack (October 8, 2018)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the terrorist attack that killed two Israeli civilians. Terrorism is never justified and will not help end the Occupation of the West Bank, nor will it pave the way to a lasting, fair peace agreement. May those who work for peace, justice, and reconciliation throughout the region be strengthened in their work and their ideals.

• Response to Murder of Ari Fuld (September 17, 2018)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the stabbing attack carried out by a Palestinian youth that killed Ari Fuld, an American-Israeli father of four, at the Etzion junction in the West Bank.

• Statement on Israel’s Passage of Nation State Law (July 19, 2018)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association strongly oppose the Nation State Law that the Knesset has now established as one of Israel’s Basic Laws, which carry constitutional weight.

• Statement on Recent Events in Israel and Gaza (May 16, 2018)

  A statement from Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

• Responding to Recent Events Involving Israel’s African Asylum Seekers (April 5, 2018)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) urge Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government to reconsider its decision to abandon the agreement it initially announced it had struck with the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, on April 2, 2018.

• An Open Letter Concerning the Safety and Future of African Asylum Seekers (April 5, 2018)

  In an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Reconstructing Judaism and the other undersigned organizations urge him to pursue a humane solution for the 39,000 asylum seekers currently within Israel’s borders.

• Response to Recent Violence on Gaza Border (April 3, 2018)

  Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) are deeply saddened and concerned following the deaths of approximately 18 Palestinians,  and the wounding of many others, by Israeli army fire during last Friday’s Palestinian-led marches near the border fence between Gaza and Israel.

• Letter Urging Israel to Halt Deportation of Asylum-Seekers (January 22, 2018)

  Reconstructionist leaders were among the early signatories of this letter urging the Israeli government to stop the deportations of asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea who have sought refuge in Israel.

• Joint Statement on Recent Abbas Speech (January 18, 2018)

  We strongly condemn the recent public remarks made by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, which contribute to undermining prospects for a viable peace process.

• Statement on Israeli Government Blacklist (January 9, 2018)

  Statement expressing disappointment in Israeli government’s viewpoint-based blacklist on entry into Israel

• Reconstructionist Statement on Trump Announcement Recognizing Jerusalem as Capital (December 6, 2017)

  Statement on President Trump’s decision to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

• Statement on Use of Force Against Reform Leaders at the Kotel (November 17, 2017)

  We stand in solidarity with the leaders of the Reform movement who were confronted with force by police and Western Wall security personnel as they attempted to carry Torah scrolls to the site.

• Statement on the Har Adar Terrorist Attack (September 28, 2017)

  RRC / Jewish Reconstructionist Communities and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association condemn the terrorist attack that took place in the West Bank settlement of Har Adar.

• Statement on July Violence in Israel (July 25, 2017)

  Statement condemning recent terror attack and addressing Temple Mount violence

• Endorsement of Letter on Middle-East Peace (July 24, 2017)

  Reconstructionist leaders were among the 35 Jewish, Christian, and Muslim national religious leaders sending a letter to President Trump agreeing that Israeli-Palestinian peace is possible.

• Statement on Cancellation of Western Wall Agreement (June 26, 2017)

  The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities jointly condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel an agreement that would have allowed for mixed and egalitarian prayer services at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

• Joint Statement on Israel Conversion Bill (May 16, 2017)

  RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities joined a statement strongly opposing a bill proposed by Israel’s Ministry of the Interior, which would nullify Israel’s recognition of Reform and Conservative conversions performed in Israel, as well as overturn Israel’s High Court ruling requiring the Ministry to recognize Orthodox conversions performed by private rabbinic courts.

• Statement on the Israeli Knesset’s Passage of the “Entry Bill” (March 10, 2017)

  The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) and RRC/Jewish Reconstructionist Communities (RRC/JRC) are strongly opposed to and deeply disappointed by the Israeli Knesset’s passage of the “Entry Bill.”

• Statement on Knesset Law that Retroactively Authorizes Settlement Outposts (February 8, 2017)

  The Reconstructionist movement opposes the Knesset’s passage of the Regularization Bill.

• Statement on Proposed David Friedman Ambassadorship (December 20, 2016)

  The Reconstructionist movement’s statement on President-Elect Trump’s plan to appoint David Friedman as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel

• Statement Condemning UNESCO’s Temple Mount Resolution (October 14, 2016)

  UNESCO’s resolution denying the Jewish history of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem flies in the face of scholarship and history and is in no way helpful to the goal of peace.

• Mourning a Statesman, Peacemaker, and Legend (September 28, 2016)

  The Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Jewish Reconstructionist Communities and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association mourn the loss of Shimon Peres, z’l, one of the most important and influential founders and shapers of the State of Israel.

• Statement on Historic Western Wall Compromise (February 17, 2016)
  he Reconstructionist movement is overjoyed that on Jan 31, 2016, the Israeli cabinet voted to dramatically expand the space for egalitarian prayer at the Kotel. This is a blessed and welcome decision.