NEW YORK, NY (July 17, 2023)
Rabbinical Assembly/United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Welcome President Isaac Herzog to the U.S.;
Condemn Planned Boycott of his Address to Congress
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly, the international association of Conservative/Masorti rabbis, and of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, issued the following statement on the visit this week to the United States of Israeli President Isaac Herzog:
America’s Conservative-Masorti rabbis and synagogues warmly welcome our friend President Isaac ‘Bougie’ Herzog to Washington, and I look forward to attending his address to a joint session of Congress later this week. President Herzog's address is an important opportunity to affirm and strengthen the strong and unique US-Israel relationship.
“Notwithstanding considerable differences we may have with the current Israeli governing coalition and its efforts to undermine judicial independence, we strongly condemn extreme comments by some in Congress about the Jewish state, as well as efforts to boycott the speech of an esteemed Israeli statesman and a true friend of American Jewry.
“This visit provides an opportunity for many of us, out of love and support for the Jewish State, to express our concerns about the future of Israeli democracy, religious pluralism, and other issues, as is the case on a regular basis in Israel itself. However, we regard President Herzog, in his efforts to mediate the current political impasse in Israel over changes to the Judiciary, as an ally in the efforts to strengthen these ideals.
“As Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary, we hope President Herzog’s visit provides an opportunity to redouble the strong and enduring partnership we enjoy, one rooted in shared values between the U.S. and Israel. We resolutely reaffirm our commitment to supporting pluralistic democracy both here and there.”
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