דברים בפני כנס ועידת הנשיאים, ירושלים.
A Speech at the COP – Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Jerusalem
Dear Friends!
It’s an honor and a privilege to be here…
You represent the most important Jewish community in the world, living in the most important country for Israel: the Unites States of America.
It is a crucial time for us Israelis and for you, our American Jewish brothers. In exactly two weeks we will have the 3rd round of election in less than a year. Israeli democracy is in a deep crisis and there is no point in denying or ignoring this fact. Also American democracy is in crisis, regarding the escalating rate of hate crimes, including a huge increase in antisemitic incidents and attacks.
Here in Israel and in the US, we are facing mounting threats to democracy. In order to counter those threats, we must see the bigger picture, and this picture is about saving democracy,
We are fighting to stop racism, discrimination, lies and deception.
We are fighting to stop Fascism.
All over the world – in Europe, in Latin America, in Asia, and yes, in Israel and in the United States, we face a Tsunami of hatred and bigotry, led by rulers who have no red lines.
These are people and political movements, full of contempt to democratic values. For them, these values and institutions – the free media, the rule of law, the free-spirited culture, the freedom of speech, equality – all this, for them, is a nuisance, an obstacle which should be pushed out of the way. All these values are regarded by them as limiting, whereas they strive for power without limits.
For us, Israelis and American Jews, this is a crucial battle.
In Israel, Netanyahu and his extreme right wing allies are pushing aggressively, for annexation of eventually all of the Palestinian west bank,
for religious coercion,
for racist legislation,
And of course for securing themselves endless term in power.
The very essence of the Zionist vision – a Jewish and democratic state – is in danger. Annexation, coercion, and racism would be the end of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic nation.
In the US, the Jewish community is facing growing and unprecedented antisemitism and violence. This passing year was the most violent in the history of this community: Twelve (12) people were murdered in two synagogues, many others wounded, hundreds of antisemitic incidents all across America.
Those people attacking synagogues in Pittsburgh and San Diego, and people attacking a synagogue in Halle, Germany, on Yom Kippur – are one and same.
There aren’t “many sides” to that, as your President put it after Charlottesville, Virginia. There are only two sides: either you are for democracy, for human rights, for peace, or you are against it. And each and every person in the US, in Israel, in France or in Brazil, should ask himself and herself: where do I stand? Which side am I supporting?
This is the same fight and the same challenge in Israel and in the US. You cannot separate the fight against antisemitism from the fight for democratic values. It’s the same front.
You cannot fight against antisemitism and be quite when muslims or gay people are targeted. One, let’s say an average American jew, cannot say “I’m against racism in New York but I keep quiet about racism in Israel”. No, this is the same battle!
And one, let’s say an average Israeli, cannot say “I feel strongly for freedom and tolerance and for my free secular lifestyle in Tel Aviv, but I don’t care about diminishing freedoms elsewhere in the world”. No, this is the same battle everywhere. The same forces are in motion here and in Israel – sometimes even the same people and same money. And in order to counter and defeat them we have to be much more active, and do it together!
It’s a two way street, my friends: Israelis should be active, present and vocal in your struggle against racism and antisemitism. We should not follow Netanyahu’s Foreign policy in putting all the eggs in one right-wing Republican basket.
All those tweets and statements by Trump that glorified nationalists and insulted American Jews – “voting Democrat was “disloyal”, he said… and the Israeli leadership mumbled some words of sympathy but took pains to shield Trump and his incitement from any blame. NO! We should act differently! Israel was always a bi-partisan issue in America, and Bi-partisan support is essential to Israel. The US Democratic party is a valued friend of Israel, of civil liberties, and thus a home for so many jewish Americans over the past century. Israel must bridge the gap with the democratic party, a gap created under Netanyahu. By the way, banning American Congress-women from entering Israel is NOT the way to do it…
At the same time – American friends of Israel should not follow Trump’s lead in giving Netanyahu, the settlers and the coersists, a green light for annexation and discrimination.
What should be done? Work together with the Israeli progressive movement, be who you are, let us be who we are: progressive, defenders of democracy! Together!
Let us work together on the two states’ solution, which is the only to ensure the future of Israel as a Jewish and democratic nation. This is the true zionist vision. This would make every young jew proud of Israel!
We, Labor-Gesher-Meretz, support direct negotiations with the Palestinians on the two states solution and we strongly object any unilateral steps, especially annexation.
Supporting peace is supporting Israel. Supporting the two states’ solution is the best way to serve the israeli interest in Peace and security. Pro-peace is pro-Israel!
And yes, you can be good friends of Israel and supporting a different prime minister, not just Bibi… that’s OK: the right wing doesn’t have the monopoly of patriotism and friendship for Israel.
So let’s work together on renewing the Peace process, but also on minority rights, on LGBT rights (as it happens I am the first head of a party in Israel who is openly gay – there should be more!). Let’s work together on freedom of religion and freedom from religion. Civil rights and human rights! There are so many things we can achieve mutually!
Finally – Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. In the US and in Israel we see strong movements resisting hate and corruption.
We have to seize the opportunity and form a new government in Israel, based on the centre-left parties, including the Joint Arab List, or supported by it – yes, it’s time to include the Arab citizens in the government, because there is no future to Israel without a Jewish-Arab partnership.
Therefore I call upon Benny Gantz, head of Kachol-Lavan: Benny, do not fall into Netanyahu’s trap, there is no “unity” with the Likud, which is today an extreme right wing party. Bibi should go home and face his trial.
Benny, Live up to the moment, Carpe Diem – Seize the day, and form a government with the forces that support you – with the Labor-Gesher-Meretz, and don’t be afraid of cooperating with the arab parties. so that we can have a government of change: a government that will restart the peace process, fight racism and bigotry, reinforce social justice and Tikkun Olam – this is the meaning of Jewish values, this is the real jewish courage –
ואהבת לרעך כמוך
“What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah״ – said Hillel the elder. Let us follow that, so we could all be proud in our beloved Israel!
And friends, we shall overcome,
תודה רבה לכם!
Thank you very much!