In response to the Israeli Knesset’s election of Naftali Bennett as the country’s new prime minister, and the approval of a new governing coalition, with Yair Lapid as Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) has issued the following joint statement:
“We look forward to forging a new relationship with Israel’s new prime minister as he steps into his leadership role. The RA and USCJ also extend a hearty mazal tov to its former Labor leader, Isaac ‘Bougie’ Herzog, the chairman of the Jewish Agency, on his election as Israel’s 11th president. After weeks of violence across the region and months of uncertainty in the Knesset, this historic coalition – and soon this new president – have a unique opportunity to cultivate tolerance and cooperation among Israel and its neighbors.”
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, CEO of both the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Rabbinical Assembly, said ‘We pray for continued strength and solidarity of the Jewish people, across movements and continents, and celebrate the pluralism that drives the new Israeli government. We have faith that elected leaders will strive to forge bonds of common ground, not stoke the flames of division.’ And weekly in synagogue we collectively pray for the welfare of the State and the wellbeing of its leaders.”
