ARE ACTIONS OF THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT THAT IMPACT DIASPORA JEWRY BEYOND CRITICISM?

Ronald Lauder, the great philanthropist recently wrote an Op-Ed in the New York Times that began as follows:

"For many Israelis, Jews and supporters of Israel, the last year has been a challenging one. In the summer of 2017, Israel’s government withdrew from an agreement that would have created an egalitarian prayer area at the Western Wall and proposed a strict conversion law that impinges on the rights of non-Orthodox Jews. This summer the Knesset passed a law that denies equal rights to same-sex couples. A day later came the nation-state law, which correctly reaffirms that Israel is a Jewish state, but also damages the sense of equality and belonging of Israel’s Druze, Christian and Muslim citizens.

Last month, a Conservative rabbi was detained for the alleged crime of performing a non-Orthodox wedding ceremony in Israel. In several municipalities, attempts were made to disrupt secular life by closing convenience stores on the Sabbath. 

These events are creating the impression that the democratic and egalitarian dimensions of the Jewish democratic state are being tested." https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/13/opinion/israel-ronald-lauder-nation-state-law.html

This was Lauder's brilliant cri de coeur. From a Zionist leader whose love of Israel is reflected in his philanthropy, and in his leadership roles at the WJC and the Jewish National Fund-USA, among other organizations. And, of course, Lauder was attacked by too many in the American Diaspora who believe that there can never be uttered a discouraging word about Israel -- it is sha sha, "if you want to criticize Israel, go live there," and similar.

Sometimes the attacks on those in the Diaspora are just plain silly. For example, I distinctly recall the failed Israeli politician, Yossi Beilin, who, during the height of his support, even co-authorship of the "Oslo Accords" peace plan, explicitly and publicly demanded that American Jewry endorse the plan while at the same time admonishing us for complaints about certain actions of the Government. 

So, I applaud Ron Lauder's articulate pained plea for justice, for compassion, for civility -- a plea made out of love for Israel and its People as was that of Charles Bronfman on the same subject. These were not, as some claimed while condemning the authors, political statements (although they could have been); they were the passionate, heartfelt messages of those who love Israel.

I have no doubt that Ron Lauder knew that he would be attacked; it is a tribute to his courage and his passion that he did not care.

Wexler