Rabbi Stephen Fuchs, the newly appointed President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism states, 'As Progressive Jews in 46 countries around the globe, we cherish Israel's tradition of democracy and freedom of speech.
Its democratic tradition is essential to Israel's standing as a Merkaz Ruchani - a spiritual center for the entire Jewish People, in all its marvelous diversity, and all humanity. Even as we oppose Israel's delegitimization by its enemies outside Israel, so do we oppose its delegitimization from within Israel by over-zealous and unwise restrictions on freedom of speech and democratic openness afforded its own citizens'.
Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Executive Director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, and Anat Hoffman, Director of IRAC characterized the law as anti-democratic and anti-pluralistic:
'In principle, the Israel Reform Movement does not support boycott as a means to delegitimize the State of Israel. Reform Judaism in Israel and throughout the world stands against international actors who are taking steps to harm Israel's legitimacy and to isolate the country.
However, the attempt to prevent a boycott by means of legislation is much more dangerous than the use of the boycott and may cause greater damage to the strength of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. The law that was recently approved by the Knesset actually provides support to those calling for boycotts and isolation of Israel and in this sense, the law is both unjust and unintelligent at the same time.
Therefore the Israel Reform Movement condemns the Knesset's adoption of the 'Boycott Law', a law that penalizes a form of non-violent protest against government policies and severely infringes on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
This law is yet another sad addition to a series of anti-democratic, anti-pluralistic laws recklessly being passed by the current Israeli Knesset in its efforts to silence opposition. The Jewish tradition embraces public debate and controversy. As our sages teach us, 'these and these are the words of the Living God'. The Knesset would do wisely to heed this teaching."
The World Union for Progressive Judaism, with its World Headquarters in the heart of Jerusalem, joins with all Jews world-wide who uphold the freedom of speech, which has always been a hallmark of the tradition of the Jewish People and has been the groundwork of rabbinic tradition, discussion and debate.