Dear Friends,
Like many of you, I am watching the events unfolding in Israel with mixed emotions. On the one hand, I am frightened by the scenes of chaos erupting in the streets, the shutting down of Ben Gurion airport, schools, hospitals and major institutions of daily life. I worry about the fact that the Israel Defense Forces may be weakened by the righteous refusal of reservists to respond to calls to return to their units. I am horrified by the recriminations shouted back and forth between political factions that highlight the extreme political and ideological divisions that are tearing Israeli society in two. All of this is taking place in the backdrop of renewed terror attacks in Israel and the specter of Iran advancing towards nuclear proliferation.
On the other hand, however, I feel a tremendous sense of pride. The fact that these spontaneous protests have arisen in response to an immoral, racist and intolerant leadership bent on destroying the Democratic nature of the Jewish State gives me hope that, in the end, ethics and justice may triumph.
For the past several months, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have taken to the streets to protest the Netanyahu government’s plans to evicerate the Supreme Court – the last bastion of protection against leaders whose stated goals are to enact policies of intolerance against Palestinians, Liberal Judaism, the LGBT+ community - and to overturn the multiple legal entanglements that the Prime Minister is currently facing. Last night, in response to Netanyahu’s firing of Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant (considered by many across the political spectrum as the lone voice of experience, moderation and realism in the current government) after Gallant cautioned him against proceeding with this unpopular and dangerous legislation, a wave of spontaneous protests broke out all over Israel and the Diaspora. From the resignation of Israel’s Counsel General in New York, to general strikes at the airport, hospitals, and labor unions, to multiple protests around the world, to the urgent cries of International Jewish leadership to halt this legislation, to the largest anti-Governmental demonstrations ever witnessed in the history of the Jewish State, Israelis and Jews around the world are praying with their feet to demand that the Netanyahu Government stop this madness.
Next week, we will be celebrating Passover. As we prepare to gather together around our seder tables and retell the ancient story of redemption from bondage, I can’t help but think about the irony of how the tale of a Pharaoh whose heart was so hardened that he could not understand that he was fighting a losing battle with fate has a direct parallel to what we are witnessing in Israel today. The images of mass protest in the face of an intransigent government that is willing to sacrifice democracy, security, and legitimacy in order to enact its intolerant agenda should be a clarion call to everyone who values freedom, egalitarianism and justice.
I will be traveling to Jerusalem after Pesach to serve as a part of a delegation of Arzeynu - the Progressive Jewish Coalition - at a special World Zionist Congress that is being held on the occasion of Israel’s 75th anniversary. In a recent teleconference held by the organizers of our international delegation, we were warned about the potential for conflict and demonstrations during the conference.While I am not concerned about our physical safety, I am worried about the fact that so much is at stake. The future of the entire Zionist enterprise is on the line. I am committed to representing a vision of a Jewish State and a Jewish People that values a pluralistic, compassionate and secure future. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.
In the meantime, may your preparations for Passover be filled with hope, joy and determination that the eternal messages of freedom and hope that this holiday represents may prevail.
L’Shalom (In Peace),
Rabbi Joseph R. Black
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