Reform Movement rabbis set to condemn house demolitions

[Classical_Liberal]

Reform Movement rabbis set to condemn house demolitions

By Shlomo Shamir



The Reform Movement's top religious body is expected to issue a statement condemning administrative home demolitions carried out by the Israel Defense Forces as contradicting "the character of Israel as envisioned by the founders of the Jewish state."



Some 400 rabbis from numerous countries, including Israel, who participated this week in Toronto in a meeting of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), are expected to decide that the home demolitions contradict the "vision articulated in the Declaration of Independence, when it described the state as one that `will be based on freedom, justice and peace, as envisioned by the prophets of Israel.'"

Following its official approval, which was to take place during the final session of the conference yesterday, the decision will be part of a declaration that will dictate the activity of some 1,600 Reform rabbis serving in synagogues and communities around the globe.

The statement also refers to Israel's duty to protect its minorities: "In the spirit of this vision, Israel must protect minority rights, and cherish and listen to its critics, to those who stand with the poor and powerless.".......

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/442607.html

[BayCityProgressive]

1. GOOD!

The Jewish people are a natural liberal constituency. We don't need to give in to the far right wing of Israel to gain American Jews support.