On video: President Herzog: "We are in a serious, very serious situation; it may have political, economic, social and security consequences" (Photo: Yotam Ronen)
Keren Hayesod, Israel's central fund-raising organization, sent a letter today (Wednesday) to all the fund's affiliates and collectors, in which it stated that the organization is "deeply concerned about the disturbing events taking place in Israel".
In the letter, the organization's management stated that it supports the president's efforts for compromise and negotiation, and added that "Jewish values, democracy and the rule of law are a fundamental part of Israel's existence and should never be compromised."
This is an unusual statement on behalf of Keren Hayesod, the main organization that collects donations in Israel from wealthy Jewish donors and supporters in Jewish communities around the world, and one of the four national institutions covered by the Zionist Congress.
The foundation raises tens of millions of dollars a year that are transferred to various associations and projects in the field of education, welfare, immigration and absorption, and more, and usually maintains a demonstrable detachment and distance from any political engagement.
More in Walla!
The attack at the Megiddo junction: the terrorist infiltrated from Lebanon, fled north after the incident and was shot dead
The army demanded a response from the political level on the attack in Megiddo - Netanyahu and Gallant ignored it
Consumer Price Index: Inflation continues to soar
A loan on better terms from the bank: up to NIS 150,000 for any purpose
Netanyahu at a Keren Hayesod conference (Photo: Flash 90, Yonatan Zindel)
"These are very challenging days for Israel and the Jewish communities around the world. The sight of hundreds of thousands of Israelis who regularly demonstrate in the streets and raise their voices against the proposed reforms in the judicial system are very worrying and yet inspiring and prove that Israel is a thriving democracy," the statement reads.
"Throughout its history, Israel has known crises and disagreements. Keren Hayesod has always aspired to remain above politics, to serve as an example of an organization that supports what unites us together and not what separates us."
Yesterday it was revealed in Vala that the protest against the government also reached Keren Hayesod, and that the heads of Keren Hayesod in Zurich sent a letter this week to the management of the organization in which they demanded to raise a voice against the moves that the government is promoting, and hinted that they are threatening the continuation of fundraising and withdrawals for Israel.
However, Keren Hayesod senior officials told Walla that Grundorg and Louie's statement had been planned for some time following the dramatic developments in Israel - the legal revolution and the expanding protest against it - and that it was not a response to a letter sent on behalf of Keren Hayesod's branch office in Zurich.
The statement of the Keren Hayesod management refers directly to the legal reform promoted by the government and to the concerns and criticism of the opposition and its protest.
"Jewish values, democracy and the rule of law are a fundamental part of Israel's existence and must never be compromised - a view that the Keren Hayesod leadership strongly believes in," the statement reads.
A letter warning donors to the Foundation Fund: "We will freeze funds and withdrawals" (photo: official website, no)
"Unfortunately, the tone and rhetoric of the public debate is deteriorating day by day. It threatens to tear apart the fabric that unites Israel and the Jewish communities around the world," the letter stated, "We are deeply concerned about the negative effects on the unity and solidarity of Israeli society and the Jewish people around the world." .
The leaders of Keren Hayesod also expressed in a letter their support for the efforts of President Yitzhak Herzog "to bring the parties together and promote a respectful dialogue leading to a solution that will not compromise the values of democracy and the rule of law."
As published yesterday in Walla, the heads of the Keren Hayesod branch in Zurich this week sent a sharp letter to the management of the organization in Israel in which they protested the government's actions in Israel.
"Our mutual responsibility is not only in giving money. As we watch how this amazing vision called Israel is threatened and emptied of values we believe in and share. Our support is unconditional as long as the basic principles of humanity are respected and as long as Israel continues to be committed to the principles of a liberal system and democratic".
Demonstrators against the legal protest (Photo: Reuven Castro)
In the letter, they did not refer directly to the legal revolution, but mainly mentioned the death penalty law for terrorists that was passed last week in a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum as a "red line".
"We mourn the murdered Jews and also the lives and casualties of the Palestinians," the letter reads;
"But after the death penalty bill was passed in a preliminary preliminary vote in the parliament of the Jewish state. We can no longer stand aside in silence. It was like a red line for us. This is not the Israel we want to support."
news
Political-political
Tags
Herzog
Yitzhak Herzog
The legal revolution