Saperstein: "In their twisted attribution of blame for the Goldstone Report to the NIF, these attackers are trying to delegitimize the New Israel Fund in much the same way that the Goldstone Report is being used to delegitimize Israel in the eyes of the world."
Contact: Kate Bigam or Liz Piper-Goldberg
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WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 3, 2010 - In response to the recent attacks against the New Israel Fund, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement:
We express our alarm at the recent attacks in the Israeli media against the New Israel Fund (NIF). Together with so many in the U.S. and Israel, I know the New Israel Fund as a respected organization with a long, accomplished history of defending human rights, civil liberties, religious pluralism, and social justice. Its efforts have helped make Israel a more equal, more just, more fair and more compassionate society.
In their twisted attribution of blame for the Goldstone Report to the NIF, these attackers are trying to delegitimize the New Israel Fund in much the same way that the Goldstone Report is being used to delegitimize Israel in the eyes of the world. It is ironic, to say the least, that those pointing to the danger of the Goldstone Report are using the same tactics of half-truths, hyperbole and sweeping generalizations they criticize in it to delegitimize the New Israel Fund.
NIFs support and training for those in Israel who fight for womens rights, civil rights, religious rights, consumer rights, environmental protection and civil liberties should be a source of pride for all those committed to Israels social well-being. This effort to tarnish this respected organization with guilt by association ill-serves the interests and values of Israel and the Jewish People.