Top Reform rabbi: Freeze building in ‘East Jerusalem’
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, the largest synagogue movement in the county, is calling on Israel to enact a construction freeze in parts of Jerusalem.
He issued the call during remarks to rabbis and members of URJ's board of trustees on Thursday:
The Union for Reform Judaism, like most American Jewish organizations, supports a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. This means that we believe housing units constructed in Jerusalem by Israel are not settlements and they are not illegal. But a great many things that are legal are not prudent or wise – and building in Arab sections of Jerusalem in the current political climate is one of those things.
This decision to build in eastern Jerusalem is one that is not supported by any Israeli ally, including the United States and Canada. I see no reason why Israel should renounce her claim to all of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital, or her right to build anywhere within Jerusalem’s borders. But there are many reasons why Israel should consider a temporary moratorium on all such building. Such a step would strengthen relations with the United States at a moment when those relations have been frayed; it would be greeted enthusiastically by other strong and loyal allies, such as Canada, that were angered by Israel’s recent action; it would demonstrate a firm commitment on Israel’s part to the American-sponsored peace negotiations; and it would, potentially, breathe life into those negotiations and turn the attention back to where it is most needed -- moving forward to a lasting, meaningful peace. Nothing should divert us from this goal.
Here's the text of the full text of his remarks:
Good afternoon. This has been a difficult and complicated time for us as American Jews. We have a number of mandates at the moment: We proclaim our love for Israel in unmistakable terms, and we work to prevent the current situation from spiraling out of control and causing a deep rift between Israel and the United States.
The words of Vice President Biden last week at Tel Aviv University were heartening to all lovers of Israel. The Vice President expressed, in unequivocal language, the commitment of the American administration to Israel’s security and well-being. “There is absolutely no space,” he said, “between the United States and Israel when it comes to security -- none.”The general approach of the Reform movement to issues of peace is the same as that of all recent American administrations: We remain committed to an Israel that is Jewish and democratic, we affirm our commitment to a two-state solution, and we support an active American role in the peace process.
Current tensions are not about a two-state solution, which is accepted by Israel. Nor are they simply about diplomatic courtesy. There is also a substantive question of great importance that needs to be addressed: Should Israel continue to build now in East Jerusalem? I believe that it should not.
The announcement by the Jerusalem District Planning Committee of its intention to construct 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem was a serious miscalculation, leading to condemnation of the decision by Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Clinton. Most American Jews join with our government and others in the Jewish community in noting that this announcement by Israel was an error, particularly disturbing at a time when progress on peace talks appears to be possible. Prime Minister Netanyahu is to be applauded for his prompt expression of regret over the timing of the announcement.
We recognize that compromise will be necessary to reach a solution and achieve a final peace agreement. We expect that the three major settlement blocks will remain a part of Israel and naturally expect that, under a final status agreement, Palestinians fully accept the state of Israel and her right to exist.
Jerusalem, however, poses different issues. The Union for Reform Judaism, like most American Jewish organizations, supports a united Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. This means that we believe housing units constructed in Jerusalem by Israel are not settlements and they are not illegal. But a great many things that are legal are not prudent or wise – and building in Arab sections of Jerusalem in the current political climate is one of those things.
This decision to build in eastern Jerusalem is one that is not supported by any Israeli ally, including the United States and Canada. I see no reason why Israel should renounce her claim to all of Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal capital, or her right to build anywhere within Jerusalem’s borders. But there are many reasons why Israel should consider a temporary moratorium on all such building. Such a step would strengthen relations with the United States at a moment when those relations have been frayed; it would be greeted enthusiastically by other strong and loyal allies, such as Canada, that were angered by Israel’s recent action; it would demonstrate a firm commitment on Israel’s part to the American-sponsored peace negotiations; and it would, potentially, breathe life into those negotiations and turn the attention back to where it is most needed -- moving forward to a lasting, meaningful peace. Nothing should divert us from this goal.
If a peace agreement becomes a real, viable possibility, Israel will likely be prepared and willing to compromise in a fundamental way on Jerusalem. We saw this a decade ago when Israelis, under Prime Minister Ehud Barak, faced the very real possibility of peace in the near future and were willing to make far-reaching concessions. If peace were truly to become possible, we would expect this to happen again -- but first, peace talks must begin.
We do not know if the talks that are soon to begin will generate positive momentum toward peace, but the governments of the United States and Israel have expressed hope that they will. Surely no opportunity to move toward an enduring settlement must be squandered. I hope that the government of Israel will see the declaration of a temporary moratorium on building in East Jerusalem as a means of seizing the initiative, deepening her ties with America, rallying her allies around the world, and challenging the Palestinians and Arab world to come forward with confidence-building steps of their own.
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Wow, this one certainly brought all the proponents of “butch” Judaism and Zionism out in full force. I notice that the knee-jerk response in many of the most vituperative comments is to immediately delegitimize Rabbi (yes, Rabbi) Yoffie and Reform Judaism in general. Reminds me of the haters’ attempts to delegitimize Israel, and about as effective.
So, because Rabbi Yoffie doesn’t live in Israel, serve in the IDF and pay (Israeli) taxes, he has no right to comment on the actions of Israeli politicians? The Israeli government says and does things every day that profoundly affect the lives and safety of Jews everywhere. Rabbi Yoffie (and indeed every other Jew in the Diaspora) absolutely has the right to openly agree or disagree with these acts or statements, whether Israel or Israelis like it or not. The days of the Diaspora simply being a cash cow for the Zionist enterprise are over; it’s about partnership now.
Rabbi Yoffie has no right to speak on behalf of Reform Judaism? I agree with less than half of his public pronouncements, but as the duly appointed head of the URJ, I respect his right to speak on behalf of Reform Judaism in the US. Everyone in Reform Judaism is free to agree or disagree, even to the point of attempting to replace him or leaving the organisation.
Rabbi Yoffie should limit his pronouncements to matters of religion? He is not a pulpit rabbi, who must stay away from politics lest he offend members of his congregation; he is the head of one of the major Jewish religious streams in the US. The boundary between politics and religion is an artificial one; our religious obligations affect the political choices we make. In Israel, ultra-nationalist Orthodox rabbis have been a major driving force behind the Settlement Enterprise, and every religious party has its so-called council of “Torah Sages” (what a sick joke).
Nowhere did Rabbi Yoffie question the right of Jews to live in East Jerusalem; he questioned the wisdom of such steps right now. I see nothing wrong with Israel taking steps to avoid snubbing its single greatest ally, the US. This is simply common sense.
I see little reason for the Diaspora to rally behind a united, undivided Jerusalem as the eternal capital of Israel when Israel itself is so notoriously bad at setting and observing red lines. We know of at least 2 occasions in the last couple of decades where Israeli leaders have been prepared to compromise on Jerusalem for the sake of peace negotiations. There’s no reason to believe the future will be any different. (Also, if Israel hasn’t been able to “digest” East Jerusalem in the last 40 years, there’s no reason to believe it can do so now.)
Finally, while the settlements may not be the main obstacle to peace between Israel and its neighbours, peace is simply not possible until Israel ends the settlement process.
Rabbi Yoffe does not suggest ending the building of Jewish homes in Jerusalem, but a temporary freeze in order to assist the Peace talks to resume. Personally, I think his comments and suggestions (and those of J Street) should be made privately to the Israeli government, not publicly. That is the problem I have with any criticisms of Israel. They would have more impact and importance and be more readily listened to, I believe, if they were no aired to the World, who are only too eager and ready to blame Israel for everything.
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Kevin Walsh
03/21/10 11:35 PM
“Israel has made concession after dangerous concession, only to see her situation worsen and incitement and violence from the Palestinians increase.”
Let us see, Israel gave back the Sinai and got peace (albeit a cold one) with Egypt and it also has a peace treaty that is honoured with Jordan. Last year as I understand it saw the least amount of terrorist attacks for many years with the PM of the PA addressing Israel’s Defence establishment and being lauded for the PA’s security effort.
Disengagement from Gaza was not good but lets see the good as well as the bad.