Religion and Hypocrisy

Agudath Israel in America published a public statement criticizing the involvement of United States government officials in the defense of democracy in Israel. This statement reeks of hypocrisy

24/08/2023 10:34

Tags: Agudath Israel · USA · democracy

public statement by Agudath Israel America

This is certainly not the first time that we have pointed out the hypocrisy of actions that are supposedly “in the name of God”, but this time these actions directly relate to the existential struggle to bolster I sraeli democracy and to the position of the Jewish leadership and the US Administration in dealing with the unprecedented challenge that lies before us.

On August 2nd, Agudath Israel in America published a public statement criticizing the involvement of United States government officials in the defense of democracy in Israel.

The message begins: "Agudath Israel of America takes no position on the Israeli government’s proposed judicial reforms. But, whatever the merits or shortcomings of that plan, American lawmakers and other government officials, while they are entitled to their opinions, should not be seeking to use their positions of power to meddle in the internal affairs of another sovereign democratic state…”

This statement reeks of hypocrisy. It starts off by stating that Agudath Israel “takes no position” on the issue at hand. Who do they expect to take such a statement seriously, knowing that their sister entity in Israel, Agudath Israel is part of the Israeli government and a prime mover and pusher for the “judicial reforms”? Their support of the judicial upheaval is the best explanation for their choice to issue such a critical statement against the United States President’s strong views and pronouncement on the matter. Agudath Israel then makes a principled claim that US leaders should not “use their positions of power to meddle in the internal affairs of another sovereign democratic state”.

One may be impressed by such a principled position, had we not known that this too is but sheer

Who do they expect to take such a statement seriously, knowing that their sister entity in Israel, Agudath Israel is part of the Israeli government

hypocrisy. When Agudath Israel felt that it had an interest in events happening elsewhere in the world, such as with regard to European legislation and litigation involving banning of Kosher slaughter, for instance, they felt very differently about “meddling in the internal affairs” of other sovereign states. Back in 2021, Rabbi Abba Cohen, Agudah’s Vice President for Government Affairs and Washington Director and Counsel announced that “Over the past two years, Agudath Israel’s Washington Office has been conveying its concern in regard to the Belgian ban and other issues to the White House and State Department officials, and congressional leaders, and has received a receptive ear. We will continue those efforts …”

Whereas in the past it wanted to mobilize the US in becoming involved in safeguarding the rights of Orthodox Jews in Europe, what’s different now is that Agudath Israel wants to block US involvement in the safeguarding of Israeli democracy. Agudath’s statements and positions have nothing to do with the essence of democracy or sovereignty. They are taking a stand which advances their own religious outlook and privileges.

In the case of Israel, it’s about preventing religious freedom and pluralism. This is an additional reason why American Jewish leadership and the US administration should take a clear stand and play an active role in defending and strengthening Israeli democracy, so that it can truly be a Jewish and Democratic State, welcoming all and celebrating equality.

As for Hiddush: we are part of an unprecedented group of 38 Israeli human rights organizations that have petitioned the High Court through the Israel Civil Rights Association against the judicial overhaul and the abolition of the standard of reasonableness and the damage this will cause to individual liberties and human rights in Israel. We are active partners in this existential struggle.