ARZA AGM 2024
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The Wider Threat To Israeli Democracy
File: A general view of the Givat Ronen outpost in the West Bank on October 25, 2006 (Olivier Fitoussi / Flash 90)
This past month we have witnessed several worrying incidents of extremists on the far right in Israeli society.
On August 9th, two Israeli Bedouin women were driving with a two year-old toddler to the Palestinian city of Nablus when they mistakenly entered Givat Ronen. Settlers threatened them and stoned and burned their car. They were eventually protected by Israeli soldiers and taken to hospital, and Israeli security forces arrested the Israeli settlers suspected of the assault. Member of Knesset Limor Son Har-Melech, of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, tried to defend the act, claiming that the women’s car did not have an Israeli license plate. (more…)
Our Responsibility Not To Be Silent
1. A blog by Keren Zewler published in the Times of Israel. Keren shared it on WhatsApp – saying she wished she did not have to write this but hopes some Aussies see it.
Who will put a stop to the Jew hate in Australia?
blogs.timesofisrael.com/who-will-put-a-stop-to-the-jew-hate-in-australia
2. On 16 June I attended a special screening at Temple Beit Israel in Melbourne of Josh Frydenberg’s Never Again documentary that examines the alarming rise of antisemitism.
Josh Frydenberg speaks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, former prime ministers John Howard and Julia Gillard, Olympic champion and former senator Nova Peris, former Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, award-winning Australian music artist Deborah Conway and survivors of the Holocaust.
The documentary takes a close look at the radicalisation on our streets and how antisemitism has been allowed to take hold, and critically what needs to be done to stop it. You can access it via this link:
3. You can sign this petition calling for authorities to take action:
Stop The Antisemitism
In just a few days, more than 1000 people have signed our petition caling on the authorities to take action against the antisemitism that’s unashamedly on display on our city streets.
Jews portrayed as Nazis, calls for the annihilation of Israel, incitement to violence and terrorism … enough is enough.
TO SIGN AND SHARE A PETITION URGING THE AUTHORITIES TO ACT, CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW.
Finally, I would recommend reading:
The anguished dilemma of a Reform Rabbi by Rabbi Mark Cohn, reflecting on the question: “How long do I remain a Reform Jew if the institutions of Reform Judaism stray into territories that are untenable for me ideologically?”
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Thank you for continued support of ARZA, helping to promote progressive Jewish voices both here and abroad. To continue our efforts, we need your support. If you have not yet renewed your 2024 membership, the cost is only $18 and your membership will provide us with priceless votes at the upcoming World Zionist Congress in Israel.
We also always welcome donations, for as little as $10. This helps us to continue advocating on key local issues on behalf of Australia’s reform community.
We continue our prayers for the release of the hostages and an end to the bloodshed.
Kind Regards,
Ayal Marek
President ARZA
Co VP UPJ