Technology & Innovation — December 18, 2010

For A Democratic, Pluralist Israel

When dozens of Israeli ultra-Orthodox rabbis signed a formal edict prohibiting Jews from renting or selling real estate to non-Jews, the ensuing uproar was reassuring.

bigthinkeditor

When dozens of Israeli ultra-Orthodox rabbis signed a formal edict prohibiting Jews from renting or selling real estate to non-Jews, the ensuing uproar was reassuring to those of us working for a democratic, pluralist Israel. Within days, nearly 1,000 rabbis worldwide signed onto a letter originated by my organization, the New Israel Fund, condemning the ruling and calling on rabbis in Israel to take a forceful public stand against it. …These swift and clear denunciations are critical reassertions of Israel’s core commitment to democracy and equal rights for all its citizens. And yet, there are disturbing counter-trends afoot.

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