New York – In light of recent conflicts in Gaza and the rise of militant Islam worldwide, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the need for action at this time, more than ever, at the United Nations General Assembly meeting yesterday. The Rabbinical Assembly applauds the Prime Minister for his commitment to peace.
Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Executive Vice President stated:
We always pray for peace in Israel and the other nations in the Middle East, and we congratulate Prime Minister Netanyahu for his continued efforts to bring about a swift resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict. We echo his concern about the growth of militant Islam and particularly ISIS, as well as a possible nuclear Iran, and we applaud his calling upon leading states in the Arab world to work together, noting that they face many of the same dangers. We agree with the Prime Minister that a broader rapprochement between Israel and the Arab world will also help facilitate peace between Israel and the Palestinians. We will continue to support Israel and its leadership in this long, but worthwhile quest for peace and security for their citizens.
Rabbi William Gershon, President added:
We are proud to recognize Israel as a strong democratic ally for the American people in the Middle East. We support Prime Minister Netanyahu’s concern that the UN Human Rights Council has unfairly singled out Israel for special sanctions, while actual crimes committed by Hamas and by ISIS are not being acknowledged. We are thankful for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recognition of President Obama’s efforts to combat ISIS and we are hopeful that Arab countries can join together with Israel to not only destroy threats, but also build peace. The Prime Minister’s willingness to update the “old template for peace” and work with Israel’s Arab neighbors toward a solution to combat a global threat of militant Islam is laudable. He recognizes this collaboration as a “new opportunity.” As we enter the new year of 5775, we hope that the Prime Minister’s vision for a broader coalition working and collaborating for peace in Israel and worldwide comes to fruition.