Preamble:
The importance of the State of Israel as a safe haven for the Jewish people to exercise their right to self-determination cannot be understated and is perhaps now more evident than ever with the number of reported accounts of antisemitism dramatically increasing in both Europe and around the world. Since its establishment, the State of Israel has faced existential threats from neighbouring countries and terrorist organisations vowing to erase the Jewish state from the map.
Precisely because of the importance of the State of Israel, we look at the political developments there with great concern. The current Israeli government’s proposed judicial reform has been widely criticised for its attack on the independence of the Israeli legislature. With Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Minister of National Security of Israel, who was convicted of incitement to racism and supporting a terrorist organisation, and Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister of Israel, who is in favour of a shoot-to-kill policy for throwing stones, for example, Israel is now led by the most far-right government in its history. In addition, the alliance around Ben-Gvir and Smotrich calls for the abolition of the right of return to Israel for grandchildren of Jews thus massively jeopardising Israel as a place of refuge for all patrilineal Jews.
The current Israeli government’s racism, sexism, and queer- and homophobia are intolerable and pose a threat to the democratic cornerstones of the State of Israel. Additionally, the current Israeli government continues to engage with and endorse right-wing extremist parties in Europe, most recently, when Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli publicly backed Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right party Rassemblement National. The crumbling democratic values of the only Jewish state put both Israeli society and the Jewish Diaspora in danger. The only way to guarantee the security of Jewish life is the possibility of self-determination in a democratic Jewish state.
EUJS notes that:
1. The current Israeli government (25th Knesset) is the most far-right coalition in the history of the State of Israel.
2. The current Israeli government engages with and endorses right-wing extremist parties in Europe.
3. The current Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have made significant efforts to undermine the democratic basis of the State of Israel.
4. Parties and representatives of the current Israeli government continue to express deeply racist, sexist, and queer- and homophobic views.
5. Parties and representatives of the current Israeli government continue to express the desire to restrict the Law of Return.
6. Since 2023, hundreds of thousands of Israelis have voiced their opposition to the current Israeli government’s actions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the planned judicial overhaul.
EUJS believes that:
1. The State of Israel is the safe haven for the Jewish people, allowing them to live self-determined and free of persecution.
2. The State of Israel was founded on the principles of democracy and equality for all its inhabitants.
3. The current Israeli government’s efforts to undermine the democratic basis of the State of Israel, threaten its very existence.
4. The current Israeli government’s endorsement of European right-wing extremist parties and its reported plans to restrict the Law of Return pose serious threats to the Jewish Diaspora in Europe.
EUJS resolves to:
1. Condemn far right members of the current Israeli government for:
a) its efforts to undermine the democratic basis of the State of Israel
b) its racism, sexism, queer- and homophobia
c) engaging with and endorsing right-wing extremist parties in Europe
d) its reported plans to restrict the Law of Return
2. Not engage with right-wing extremist and ultranationalist Israeli parties.
3. Advocate for the State of Israel to uphold its democratic principles.
4. Stand in solidarity with the pro-democratic movement in Israel.
