Thank you ADL, Union for Reform Judaism Movement and JSTREET

~ Meir Javedanfar

Last week I wrote a blog post about plans by the Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon to separate Israeli and Palestinian persons on Israeli buses in the West Bank. Basically, any person who is Palestinian would not be allowed to travel on the same bus as an Israeli.

It warms my heart to see that those of us in Israel who think this policy would be wrong in every imaginable way are supported our friends and brethren in the U.S.

According to the Times of Israel, soon after the announcement, the Young Israeli Labor organization sent a letter to a number of US pro-Israel groups. The letter, among other things stated:

“This unfortunate decision is a disastrous one in any respect,” said the letter. “Apart from being a severely miserable decision in every moral aspect, it also adds a very powerful weapon to the arsenal of those seeking to undermine Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

So far ADL, Union for Reform Judaism Movement and JSTREET have responded positively to the letter. The ADL has stated that it will be addressing this issue privately with the government of Israel. The other movements will also be pursuing this matter.

Meanwhile Israel’s Attorney General has requested an explanation from Israel’s Defense Minister. He has to answer by November 9th.

This decision will be challenged to the hilt. The Defense Minister will have to put up a hell of a fight, for an unjust cause. Best to give up now.