Agudah’s Am Echad Sends Letter to Bennett Opposing the “Kotel Deal”

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Am Echad, an affiliate of Agudas Yisroel of America, sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, relaying the message of opposition the the ‘Kotel Deal.’

Read it here:

Dear Prime Minister Bennett,

Am Echad unites dozens of leaders from Jewish organizations the world over. These
organizations work tirelessly to achieve the critical missions of strengthening Jewish
identity and cementing the bond between Jewish communities from around the world
and Israel.

As your government is planning to implement the Kotel Deal, we are writing to you to
warn you against this critical mistake, which will pose tremendous danger to the
continued unity of our people and to the connection between the Jewish communities
and Israel. Not only will this move do nothing to bring the various Jewish communities
together, but on the contrary, it will deepen the rift and distance Jews from Israel and from each other.

The Kotel is the heart of the Jewish people. Despite the differences between us, we are
all united around the Kotel. In front of its stones, we are all inspired by our nation’s
millennia-old tradition and history. The partitioning of the Kotel will eternalize the
divisions among the Jewish People, quite literally setting them in stone.

Moreover, the idea that the partitioning of the Kotel will boost the connection between
Diaspora Jewry and Israel is fundamentally false. From our work in the trenches, we say
unequivocally that the distancing of certain parts of Diaspora Jewry from Israel is in no
way caused by Israel’s policy at the Kotel, but rather by the disconnect from their own
Jewish identity. Recent studies of Diaspora Jewry, such as the Pew Report, show a
clear correlation between the depths of Jewish identity and the affinity for Israel. Only a
massive investment in Jewish education and identity programming can bring young
Diaspora Jews to once again identify with Israel.

In contrast, the damage inherent in the deal is enormous. Historically, communities loyal
to Jewish tradition have also shown the greatest interest, support, and loyalty to Israel.
These communities are more involved than anyone else in programs to strengthen
Jewish identity among all sections of the Diaspora, as a reflection of our shared destiny
and common Jewish values.

The implementation of the Kotel Deal and the balkanization of the place so holy and
dear for all of us, while violating the millennia-old prayer tradition will send a clear
message to these communities that the State of Israel has given up on our sacred
values and bonds.

Therefore, we would like to reiterate that large swaths of Diaspora Jewry, especially
those that feel the closest connection and affinity to Israel, are strongly opposed to the
partitioning of the Kotel. Any attempt to implement the Kotel deal will lead to
unnecessary stand-offs, which will only serve to undermine the unifying force of the
Kotel as one of the last symbol of Jewish unity.

Sincerely,

Shlomo Werdiger

Dr. Irving Lebovics
Co-Chairmen

{Matzav.com}


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