Speaking exclusively with Israel Hayom, former Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch and current CEO of the American Jewish Committee voiced criticism over the government's plan to abolish the so-called Grandchild Clause in the Law of Return.
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"We want the government of Israel, we want our friends in Israel to understand that anything that would cause Diaspora Jewry, any part of diaspora Jewry, to start to view Israel as something other than that place of refuge that it is now, especially at a time of rising antisemitism...to the extent that the message is sent that there are some in the Jewish community wouldn't be welcome in Israel, that's what we need to prevent. That's a message that we can't afford to send to the global Jewish community, and we have been clear about that in the conversations that we have been having." Deutch adds, "We want to be sure that there are no changes to that relationship, that there are no changes to the Law of Return, that would treat any portion of the global Jewry differently, less important, less a part of the Jewish people because we believe so strongly in Jewish peoplehood."
Deutch, who represented his Florida district in the US House of Representatives for 12 years, was a stalwart supporter of Israel throughout his service as a lawmaker. He was tapped to his current role some three months ago, after leaving Congress, leading one of the oldest and most important Jewish organizations in the world. He replaced David Harris, who was at the helm of the organization for decades.
Deutch has been in Israel over the past several days as part of a mission of AJC executives. They have met senior Israeli officials, including Opposition Leader Yair Lapid and Regional Cooperation Minister Ron Dermer, a close associate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They are also scheduled to speak with Netanyahu.
During his interview, which is Deutch's first, he stresses that "AJC is committed to ensuring that the inextricable link between Diaspora Jewry and the State of Israel remains as strong as it has ever been."
Q: Do you agree that antisemitism in the US is the worst that it has been in many decades?
"I don't like to make grand historical pronouncements, but certainly, for me, and for much of the community I am comfortable saying this is the most concerning moment that we faced in a long time. It's the normalization of antisemitism that can't be tolerated that is exactly why we need to condemn it when it happens, whenever it happens, whatever the politics are of the person who is engaged....there is no question that it feels different now when political leaders engage in antisemitism and use antisemitic language and social media figures spew vitriolic antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and ongoing attacks that seek to undermine Israel's very right to exist, it makes the community feel on edge, and that's what I hear over and over all across the country. That there is a concern that it's growing and that it is all interrelated. So when Kanye West tweets his antisemitism that invites the antisemites out from under the rock."
Throughout the conversation, Deutch notes that AJC has been engaged through a variety of programs, including one that seeks to shape the next generation of Jewish leaders in Jewish high schools, with a particular emphasis on being pro-Israel; bringing delegations of public opinion leaders from around the world to Israel, and an annual conference that is held in Israel every fifth year.
He notes that various challenges facing Israel and the Jewish people require constant activity. "There is no magic moment that everyone sits back and says 'We've succeeded in accomplishing all this'," he says on how Israel can deal with Iran and other foreign policy challenges.
Q: You are probably aware of the ongoing debate in Israel over the government's proposed judiciary reforms. Do you think there is a reason to be concerned over what this could do to Israel's democratic character?
"The relationship between the US and Israel is – we say this but it bears repeating – is more than just a strategic relationship, it's based on shared values, and an important one of those shared values is democracy. So from our perspective, to the extent that there are changes to the institutions that are central to Israeli democracy, we would obviously hope that it would be a result of a process that is thoughtful and deliberative, one that respects civil liberties. A lot of people have asked our thoughts about the planned reform, and again, at this point, especially being here ... from where I sit, my goal is not to become part of Israeli politics."
Q: During this visit, you haven't met with Religious Zionist Party chief Bezalel Smotrich and Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir. Do you have a principled objection to doing so?
"We have a very full agenda, we're meeting with a range of leaders, both inside and outside the Israeli government. Thought leaders, NGO officials, so there is no question that we are reaching out to ensure that we are getting feedback from all parts of Israeli society. Our goal is to meet with people from across the political spectrum and that is what we are doing."
Q: What do you say about the ongoing concern that the younger Jewish generations in the US are less pro-Israel?
"It's true that for previous generations the big story was the threats Israel has faced and still faces. Those were the dominant stories, and depending on how many generations we go back, it's the wars that Israel had to endure, and the challenges to Israel's very existence that rallied support for Israel for the Jewish state. It's important that we recognize that the big story now is what Israel has become and we need to work hard to help young people in particular...Israel's place in the region in the world and all the innovation that it provides. I'm worried and optimistic; they are not mutually exclusive...We have got to continue to stand together, what we have been able to do throughout history for the world is remarkable and it is very important for us to remember that."
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