Open letter to the Chairman of the Labor Party

November 2006

Dear Mr. Peretz:

We are a group of Italian Jews who believe in the equal rights of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples to their national existence and on the necessity of a negotiated solution to the conflict based on the principle of “Two states for two peoples”. We have also been engaged for many years in combating racism and anti-Semitism in Italy and Europe. We are writing to you out of deep concern about the future of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, its peaceful and secure existence, and its lasting ties with the Diaspora.

We register with disconcert and dismay your acceptance of the inclusion of Mr. Lieberman’s party in the coalition. Your decision was opposed by one Labor Minister – Mr. Ophir Pines-Paz - , several members of Knesset from the Labor Party, and many members of the Central Committee of the party who are rightfully disgusted by Mr. Lieberman. His positions on the Arab citizens of Israel and the relations between Israel and the Palestinians are profoundly racist, hateful, and unacceptable in a democracy and from the standpoint of tolerant Jewish values we so deeply cherish. Those positions blatantly contradict the very principles contained in the Israeli Declaration of Independence of May 1948. By signing a coalition agreement with Mr. Lieberman you have legitimized such views and contradicted your own Government guidelines under the item “Minorities”. The presence of Mr. Lieberman’s party in the coalition is a major obstacle to any serious negotiations with the Palestinian Authority or Syria, the freeze on settlement activity, and the removal of illegal outposts which appear to us urgent imperatives for the Government of Israel.

We exhort you, Mr. Peretz, to reverse your own decision.

Sincerely,

Martin Buber Group- Jews for Peace