Attacks On and In Israel Condemned by the Reform Movement in the United States

Yoffie: “We are outraged at the infringement on a sovereign country’s borders and her neighbors’ continued rejection of Israel’s right to exist.”

Contact:
Annette Powers
apowers@urj.org
212-650-4154

MAY 16, 2011, New York — This weekend’s violence at Israel’s borders with Syria, Lebanon and Gaza left 12 dead as protesters attempted to force their way across the border. The violent threats to Israel’s security coincided with Nakba day, meaning catastrophe, the Palestinian term for the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. In response to the violence, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:

This weekend’s violence on Israel’s borders is profoundly troubling. We are deeply saddened by the loss of human life and pray for the families of all those affected — both Israelis and Palestinians. Above all, we are outraged at the infringement on a sovereign country’s borders and her neighbors’ continued rejection of Israel’s right to exist.

Contentious issues can only be resolved through negotiations. We support Israel in her plan to file a complaint with the United Nations against Syria and Lebanon and call on the Security Council to take swift action to protect the rights and borders of a member nation.