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Statement from the New Israel Fund Re: Attacks in Israel and the West Bank

31 July 2015

Regarding the attacks in Israel and the West Bank that resulted in the death of a Palestinian baby and the stabbing of several marchers in the Jerusalem Gay Pride Parade, the New Israel Fund issued the following statement:

“Today in Israel is a day of soul searching. Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum are condemning the violence. And many Israelis are saying that the elegant words that some Israeli leaders posted to Facebook are not enough. One cannot signal, year after year, that Israel exists only for its Jewish citizens, or only for the Jewish citizens who comply with a narrow, right-wing interpretation of Zionism, and then be shocked when extremists feel free to express hatred and do violence and innocent children are murdered.

For years, some leaders of the right have tolerated or personified incitement and exclusion – against Arabs, against leftists, against African refugees and human rights organizations and anyone else who got in the way of the ultranationalist agenda. Those leaders need to be held responsible for their rhetoric and their actions, and we, who love Israel, need to see the link between yesterday’s attacks and the growing atmosphere of extremism.

This also holds for religious leadership. Rabbinical extremists who use holy texts to justify hatred and violence are even more despicable than their political brethren. Homophobia, misogyny, and the ugliest expressions of prejudice stain some in the ultra-Orthodox leadership and community and must be roundly denounced.

Many Israelis want to see a different type of leadership — leadership that will set an example of courage and tolerance, that doesn’t speak in racist terms, that acts swiftly to end hate crimes, that builds a better relationship between Jews and Arabs, and that prizes human freedom and dignity.

These Israelis give us hope even in the darkest of moments. We at New Israel Fund are proud to support those who struggle against a dark and vicious version of Israel, even when we and they are vilified for it, even when we do it almost alone. We ask Israelis of good intentions, and lovers of Israel worldwide, to join us in a forthright movement for an Israel that is safe, fair, just and honorable towards all its citizens and those under its control.

There is no time left to lose.”

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