LA Jews for Peace Policy Statement
Los Angeles, CA. November 28, 2022 Contact: info@LAJewsforPeace.org
Israel must not include Fascist Parties
in its New Government
LA Jews for Peace look on in horror as Benjamin Netanyahu is forming a majority Israeli government that will include the Religious Zionist Party.
The Religious Zionist Party is led by Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir who both have been previously either convicted[1] or jailed for engaging[2] in terrorist activities. The Religionist Zionist Party is openly “Kahanist” in its views that in the U.S. are equivalent to the KKK, and is widely considered fascist.
Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir seem to be in line for senior military- and security-related portfolios in the new cabinet.
An Israeli government cannot include that party and still be considered democratic. Even the LA Times[3] is concerned.
The prospects of Smotrich and Ben-Gvir in the Israeli government has already emboldened terrorist settlers who attack Palestinian and peace activist property and land, and the Israeli army that has been beating Breaking the Silence activists in Hebron citing “authority” of the new government (that is not yet even formed).
With the Religious Zionist Party in the government, Israel will accelerate along its path to dismantle Israeli democracy and transform Israel into a theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan.
It seems that there is only one party that can halt Israel’s rush to madness — the United States that supports Israel diplomatically, militarily, and financially.
LA Jews for Peace calls on President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and all members of Congress to demand that Netanyahu reject fascist parties in his government.
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-see-how-israels-far-right-lawmakers-act-before-passing-judgement-ambassador-2022-11-10/
[2] https://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-security-official-foresees-major-disaster-if-smotrich-made-defense-minister/
[3] LA Times, November 28, 2022, p.1.