New York, NY, November 3, 2022 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) issued the following statement in response to the conclusion of the Israeli election for the 25th Knesset:
“We congratulate PM and Likud Leader Benjamin Netanyahu on winning the elections and we wish him well in this endeavor. We are greatly concerned that the results of the Israeli election suggest the next government, led by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will likely include representatives from the Otzma Yehudit and Religious Zionist parties, including their leaders Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and offering them government ministries. Both have a long history of engaging in racist, anti-Arab, homophobic and other hateful behavior.
In particular, we are concerned about several of Mr. Ben-Gvir's stated policy intentions, including to set up a government office to “encourage” the emigration of Arab citizens of Israel. – whom his party refers to as “enemies of Israel.”
As an organization deeply committed to Israel’s security and well-being as a Jewish and democratic state, we believe that including these far-right individuals and parties in an Israeli government would run counter to Israel’s founding principles, and impact its standing, even among its strongest supporters.
As an organization committed to fighting racism and all forms of hate, we will not shirk from calling out expressions by, and policies of, the Israeli government and Israeli leaders that are hateful, racist, anti-Arab, homophobic and anti-democratic. On the ground in Israel, we are committed to our important work promoting social cohesion within Israel society, including fighting racism, bigotry and all forms of hate, and standing up to those who seek to attack or marginalize minority groups of all kinds. We will continue our advocacy for Israeli-Arab normalization, and for policies that maintain the viability of an ultimate two-state solution.
We also anticipate that there are those who are committed to denying the legitimacy of Israel, and who engage in the relentless demonizing of Zionism, who will be further emboldened by these developments, with repercussions for global Jewish communities, and, in particular, for Jewish students on campus. ADL remains strongly committed to combatting these initiatives and working to counter anti-Zionism and other efforts to attack Israel’s legitimacy as a Jewish state.”
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.