JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Reform rabbis back Obama on settlements

By Eric Fingerhut · June 10, 2009

Reform rabbis are backing President Obama on settlements. The Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose almost 2,000 rabbis includes viritually the entire Reform rabbinate said in a statement today that the president's demand for a stop to all settement activity is Israel and his "outspokenness on the issue" is "in the best interest of the United States, of the State of Israel, and of peace."

"The CCAR has also long seen settlements in the West Bank as potential obstacles to peace," says the statement from CCAR president Rabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus and executive vice president Rabbi Steven Fox.  "Repeatedly, we have called for freezing settlement activity. Establishing new settlements or 'outposts,' or continuing to expand existing settlements, even by 'natural growth,' does not serve the cause of Israel or of peace."

The organization does add that "Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not the greatest threat to Middle East peace. The Iranian regime's ongoing nuclear threats against Israel and its support for Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups pose the single greatest threat to peace, to the United States, to the Middle East, and to Israel today. Moreover, Israel cannot be expected to make significant concessions when it remains under terrorist attack."

The group's full statement is after the jump:

Reform Rabbinical Leadership Supports Obama Administration on Settlements

The Central Conference of American Rabbis, the world's largest organization of Jewish clergy, has frequently lifted its voice to seek peace between the Jewish State of Israel and the Palestinian people. We have long supported a two-state solution and encouraged active engagement by the United States government toward achieving that goal.

The CCAR has also long seen settlements in the West Bank as potential obstacles to peace. Repeatedly, we have called for freezing settlement activity. Establishing new settlements or "outposts," or continuing to expand existing settlements, even by "natural growth," does not serve the cause of Israel or of peace.

Let us be clear: Israeli settlements in the West Bank are not the greatest threat to Middle East peace. The Iranian regime's ongoing nuclear threats against Israel and its support for Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups pose the single greatest threat to peace, to the United States, to the Middle East, and to Israel today. Moreover, Israel cannot be expected to make significant concessions when it remains under terrorist attack.

Most recently, President Barack Obama has insisted that Israel freeze all settlement activity in occupied territory. His call echoes those of the last two administrations, though admittedly with a new level of intensity.

We believe the President's position and outspokenness on this issue to be in the best interest of the United States, of the State of Israel, and of peace.