http://news.reformjudaism.org.uk/press-releases/statement-on-jnf-event-w...
Avigdor Lieberman is the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Israel. Far from being "outside the consensus of Israel society" both Labour (initially) and now Kadima have no objection to serving alongside him in the government. In fact with 94 out of 120 MKs the Coalition has more support than any other government in Israel's history.
Reform Judaism's statement is therefore based on a false premise. They really should have done their homework first. Many of his detractors resort to lies. For example the Turkish Prime Minister alleged entirely falsely that Lieberman said that Gaza should be nuked. And Lieberman has never denied that "Arab citizens of Israel are fully part of Israeli society with the same rights of free speech as Israeli Jews".
The Reform demarche is also deplorable. Lieberman is in his position as a result of the political process in the Middle East's oldest - if not only - democracy. It is entirely wrong for the Reform to challenge the JNF's invitation to him. He is a Minister whose credentials are accepted by governments around the world including in the UK. (Foreign Secretary William Hague is seeing Lieberman while he is in the UK).
But wait, the Reform Movement of the UK begs to differ .....
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Who will be the first in the Reform Movement to say "Not In My Name"?
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Postscript #1:
http://www.liberaljudaism.org/news/552-liberal-judaism-responds-to-jnfs-...
As expected the Liberal Movement has followed suit. Well what do you expect of a Movement whose Chief Executive openly supports Ken Livingstone and denies that it's antisemitic to call for "One State" ...
Postscript #2
Counter-demo to oppose the Forces of Darkness: 6:15pm Tuesday, Pillar Hotel, 19 Brent St, NW4 2EU - Hendon Central tube (N Line)- bring a flag
Postscript #3
Great counter-demo - here are the photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67529945@N03/sets/72157629855182568/show/
Postscript #4
Admirable JC Editorial:
http://www.thejc.com/comment-and-debate/leader/68067/thats-democracy
