International Progressive Jewish Network

Mission Statement

February 11, 2020

 

The International Progressive Jewish network comprises Jewish organizations from the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Australia. Together with Israeli organizations, we cooperate to provide a unified voice in support of democracy, religious pluralism, and a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The human and material costs of this conflict are tragic as attested by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, continuing violence with loss of lives on both sides, and the threat to the very coexistence between Arabs and Jews inside Israel.

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We believe in the deep values and principles of Judaism, which regards human dignity as sacrosanct and justice as an absolute imperative.  Our shared values include the need to uphold pluralism and democracy so as to ensure the protection of minority rights and the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious identities in open societies. We are concerned by the increasing intolerance, xenophobia, and ultra-nationalism in the world.  Building a global network of Progressive Jewry to oppose anti-Semitism and racism, which undermine democracy and tolerance internationally, is both a moral and an existential necessity.

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We see a widening chasm between  Jews from different regions of the world who are concerned with issues of human rights, equality and pluralism, and the growing number of Israelis who are leaning toward parochial nationalism. Many  Jews involved in confronting anti-immigrant xenophobia and a rise in anti-Semitism are finding it difficult to reconcile these values with the illiberal and nationalistic spirit that prevails in Israel. We reject the Israeli Government’s campaign to silence opposition to its policies by falsely equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. Such a campaign weakens the struggle against true instances of anti-Semitism and, instead, strengthens the hands of anti-Semites worldwide. 

 

We continue to believe in the values enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence, according to which the State of Israel as the democratic homeland of the Jewish people will ensure “complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.”  We are greatly concerned by racist and discriminatory trends that are taking hold in Israel. We oppose initiatives such as the Nation-State Law, which discriminates against non-Jewish minorities in the country.  

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We support movements and parties in Israel committed to ending the occupation and   achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on the right to self-determination of the two peoples.  We aim to coordinate campaigns that mobilize Jews all over the world and Israelis who share progressive values, cooperate to defend democracy and the rule of law. 

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The International Progressive Jewish Network aspires to work with our respective local Jewish communities, our national governments and international organizations to advance the adoption of policies that promote justice, human rights, and a peace agreement between the peoples of Israel and Palestine.