Central Conference of American Rabbis Applauds Christian Rejection of Worst Anti-Israel Initiatives
Monday, June 27, 2016
The Central Conference of American Rabbis is grateful to its friends in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Unitarian Universalist Association, who have prevailed in defeating or amending the most virulently anti-Israel overtures in each church. Presbyterians and Unitarians both rejected divestment overtures, and Presbyterians affirmed the principle of two states for two people. Combined with overwhelming victories in several votes at the United Methodist Church’s General Conference last month, these developments signal a startling and heartening reversal for the destructive Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement which seeks to delegitimize Israel as a Jewish State.
Reform rabbis across North America have been enriched by our conversations with Christian clergy friends and colleagues, as we have shared our commitments to peace and security for Israel, the two-state solution, and the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinian people. We are grateful that our Christian friends have led the opposition to BDS within their national churches, often in conflict with their own national leadership, insisting that BDS is destructive to achieving our shared goals for the well-being of Israelis and Palestinians.
The CCAR acknowledges with gratitude the national Jewish leaders who have worked tirelessly with Christian partners to achieve these historic victories: Ethan Felson of the Israel Action Network, CCAR member Rabbi David Fox Sandmel of the Anti Defamation League; and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, led by CCAR member, Rabbi Jonah Pesner. As always, we are grateful for the leadership of CCAR member Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, who addressed the Unitarian gathering, successfully encouraging delegates to embrace engagement with both Israelis and Palestinians and support for the two-state solution by rejecting BDS.
Rabbi Denise L. Eger Rabbi Steven A. Fox
President Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis