Israel Religious Action Center - IRAC Facebook ad: “Orly Erez-Likhovskiwrites: Last Friday, I participated in a…”

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Orly Erez-Likhovskiwrites: Last Friday, I participated in a tour of the West Bank organized by Rabbis for Human Rights and Torat Tzedek and led by Rabbi Arik Ascherman. On this tour, we (members of Reform communities in Israel) were able to witness firsthand the moral outrages, perpetrated in and perverting the name of Judaism that have become daily realities there. We met with Palestinians who suffered violence from extremist settlers and had been driven from their homes, and who continue to suffer abuse and terror. We saw how illegal outposts now occupy nearly every hilltop, established with the clear aim of taking control of large swaths of land, and await legalization by a government that openly supports their goals. The contrast between the pastoral beauty of the landscape and the horrific stories we heard was deeply disorienting. The thought that all of this is happening without a response from the police or the army—and in some cases, with their backing—is almost impossible to grasp. This is not the rule of law on which any democracy depends. It is not humane. It is not Jewish, and it must not be tolerated. All of this is taking place just an hour’s drive from central Israel. So close, and yet so far from where many of us, despite the crises, live basically comfortable lives. For many years, so many Israelis chose not to face this reality and even denied it altogether. But in recent months, the violence has reached even more alarming levels, and the issue is at least beginning to be discussed—though meaningful action has yet to follow. ...................... At the same time, we must believe in and advance a different vision: one of shared society, peace, equality, and tolerance. We insist on raising a different Jewish voice - that makes clear that our Judaism is not one of supremacy, but one that affirms that all human beings are created equally, in the image of God. Even in difficult times, we must be able to imagine a different future. In a time of violence—imagine tolerance. In a time of racism—imagine mutual respect. In a time of war—imagine peace. RReform Judaism in IsraelAARZARReligious Action Center of Reform JudaismUUnion for Reform Judaism RRabbis for Human RightsTTorat Tzedek@ravariktorattzedek https://mailchi.mp/irac.org/confronting-reality-refusing-despair-choosing-peace