The prime minister-designate published a second clarification within a few hours according to his future government partners 12.25.22 (Photo: Prime Minister's Office)
About 100 retired Israeli ambassadors signed a letter to Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu in which they expressed concern about damage to Israel's foreign relations following the emerging policies of the new government.
"We fear damage to Israel's status and interests, as a result of the apparent policy, from the statements made by those who will hold senior positions in the government and the Knesset, from the publications about expected changes in Judea and Samaria and regarding a number of extreme laws that may lead to discrimination and oppression of minorities and possible damage to freedom of expression and the values of democracy in Israel," the ambassadors wrote in a letter sent Today (Wednesday) to Netanyahu.
"You are aware of the importance of ties with the wider world to Israel's resilience and the significance of the struggles we have waged, the crises we have overcome and the achievements we have achieved on behalf of Israeli governments for generations as experienced and dedicated public servants," the ambassadors continued in their address to the prime minister-designate.
"As those who know the community well, we are very afraid that the latest developments in the domestic arena will lead to a severe international reaction, damage to the strategic ties with the United States and Europe, possible damage to the Abraham Accords and the taking of legal measures against Israel."
"You are aware of the importance of connections with the world."
Netanyahu (Photo: Reuven Castro)
The ambassadors even warned that the moves could affect the legal opinion that will be submitted at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and the international business presence in the country.
"The concerns we raise before you here have various supports that have already been expressed by friends of Israel and those who are not our friends abroad," the message to Netanyahu reads. These issues are critical to the preservation and promotion of Israel's resilience and to act to prevent damage to the vital interests of the state and its citizens."
About two weeks ago, senior officials from several American Jewish organizations warned that racist or extreme measures on the part of the new government could significantly damage support for Israel among American Jewry.
In a difficult meeting held at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, concerns were raised regarding the issue of religious pluralism in Israel and the possibility that the Law of Return will be changed, as well as the Conversion Law, in a way that could negatively affect the Jewish community in the United States.
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"We implore you and the incoming government under your leadership to give the necessary priority to foreign policy."
Smotrich and Ben Gvir (photo: Yaniv Khalif, Yaniv Khalif)
Most coalition members support narrowing the Law of Return so that it will not allow the grandchildren of Jews and their spouses to obtain Israeli citizenship.
Such a move could affect many Jews around the world, including in the United States.
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the NBC network earlier this month that he will not allow the Law of Return to be changed, but in the coalition agreements there is a clause, according to which a committee will be established to examine the issue.
The Jewish leaders who participated in the meeting also raised concerns about Netanyahu's partners from the extreme right - Itamar Ben Gabir and Bezalel Smotrich - who voiced racist positions and support for Jewish supremacy, as well as about Avi Maoz - who spoke out against the rights of the LGBT community.
The leaders of the Jewish organizations warned that measures that would harm the LGBT community could harm donations to Israel from the Jewish community in the United States and cause young American Jews to distance themselves from Israel and not express support for it. Some of the participants in the meeting even warned of a scenario in which American Jews would organize demonstrations in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington to protest against the Israeli government or parts of it, according to four sources who were present at the meeting or were informed about its content.
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