American Jews between supporters and opponents of Netanyahu's moves to amend the justice system in Israel

Washington — American Jews, estimated at 6 million people (2 percent of the total number of Americans), fall into three categories according to their degree of religiosity and religious commitment, and share a duty to support Israel and its security interests and ensure continued American support.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent move to amend the justice system, marginalize the Supreme Court, and the accompanying massive demonstrations in Israel in protest have shaken the unity of these currents between a majority opposed to Netanyahu and a minority supporting him.

The so-called "moderate Jews" in America make up 35% of its Jews, and they have taken a position against Netanyahu's moves, while the non-religious Jews (37%) have taken the same position, but the so-called "ultra-Orthodox Jews", who make up to 28% of American Jews, supported Netanyahu's decisions.

The recent Israeli crisis resonated with American Jews in a different way from previous crises, a crisis of governance and democracy that approaches in nature political disputes within the United States, whether over the right to abortion or the right to bear arms, which are usually decided by the Supreme Constitutional Court.

Many leaders of these organizations have expressed concern not only about the substance of Netanyahu's proposal, but also about its potential impact on U.S.-Israel relations at a time when polls show Israel is losing some support among younger Americans as its government's policies tilt to the far right.

Unprecedented Jewish anxiety

American Jews have known anxiety during periods associated with Israel's wars and military battles, and have never worried about Israel's "democracy." The leaders of many Jewish organizations that had been reluctant to criticize Israel's domestic politics seemed more willing to speak out now.

A group of 30 leaders of various Jewish organizations traveled to Israel to work to bridge the gap between those with ambivalent positions.

Eric Weingerhutt, executive director of the North American Jewish Federations, said the visit focused on two things: first, to illustrate the deep concern that Netanyahu's new orientation is causing among North American Jews, and second, to affirm American Jews' love for Israel.

Wengerhout pointed out that the visiting delegation carried a three-dimensional message, the first of which is to demand negotiations to reach a compromise, the second is to postpone any proposal for the draft amendments for several weeks or months, and the third is that the final package of amendments includes mechanisms to control and balance the legislative and judicial executive authorities.

Meanwhile, the Jewish associations in North America, a huge entity that collects and donates $3 billion a year to Israel, sent an open letter to Netanyahu and Israeli parliamentary opposition leader Yair Lapid, objecting to the idea of judicial overreach, and endorsing a call by Israeli President Isaac Herzog for compromise and consensus.

"We recognize that any system of checks and balances will be different from those in our countries, but such a dramatic change in the Israeli system of government will have far-reaching consequences in North America, both within the Jewish community and in the broader community," the letter said.

Sharon Bruce called for challenging Netanyahu's "illiberal ultra-nationalist" regime (social media)

Tears of Zion

Some U.S. cities with a large Jewish population have seen rallies to oppose Netanyahu's move in parallels with demonstrations inside Israeli cities. Thousands in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles expressed support for the Supreme Court remaining independent and impartial.

Former Anti-Defamation League director Abraham Foxman said that "if Israel ceases to be an open democracy, I will not be able to support it."

In Los Angeles, California, Rabbi Sharon Bruce delivered a sermon titled "Tears of Zion," urging attendees not to "sleep during the revolution" and demanding a challenge to "Netanyahu's illiberal ultra-nationalist regime."

In New York City, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a longtime advocate of Israeli policies, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times in which he said Netanyahu was "flirting with the catastrophe that threatens Israel's security, its economy, and the very democracy on which the country was built."

The Central Conference of Jewish Rabbis in the United States expressed relief "that Prime Minister Netanyahu has finally responded to months of protests by nearly every sector of Israeli society that strongly opposed government interference in the judiciary."

However, in the same statement, the conference also expressed great concern about the high price Netanyahu paid to keep his fragile coalition intact in exchange for postponing judicial reforms, which was Netanyahu's agreement with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to establish a national guard under Ben Gvir's authority.

The conference warned that "the formation of a civilian militia located outside the scope of the Israeli police and under the supervision of a far-right leader, such as Ben Gvir, poses a threat to democracy and civil security in Israel."

No to interference in Israeli affairs

Some Jewish organizations defended Netanyahu, with Zionist Organization of America President Morton Klein criticizing interference in Israeli affairs, saying that "liberal and less religious American Jews who shout: This is a disaster! This is the end of democracy! It's ridiculous."

Matt Brooks, chief executive of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Washington, said, "Just as it would be inappropriate for a foreign country to tell the U.S. Senate whether Supreme Court justices can be suspended, judicial reform is a sovereign Israeli matter that should not be subject to the wishes and whims of the American Jewish community."

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the most influential Jewish organization in the American ruling elite, declined to comment, saying it focuses on Israel's security against threats from enemies such as Iran.

AIPAC did not add its signature to a joint statement Monday by the American Jewish Committee, the Conference of Presidents, the Jewish Federations of North America and the Anti-Defamation League, which praised Netanyahu's willingness to at least delay the judicial plan. Instead, AIPAC pointed to the broader context of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and shared challenges.