Last week the United Arab Emirates, the nation of seven states including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, unblocked their 10 million residents’ ability to directly call a +972 phone number. From now an Emirati can phone an Israeli and vice versa. This is one of the steps in the UAE’s recognition that Israel, the Jewish state which has now been in existence for 72 years does indeed exist. Out of the countries that make up the 423 million people who live in Arab League nations, so far only 120 million are residents or citizens of nations that recognise the existence of the State of Israel, those in Egypt, Jordan and now the UAE. The consistent position of Progressive (Reform and Liberal) Judaism has been and remains that all the nations of the world should recognise Israel, trade with her, enable travel to and from her and work together with her in peace to deal with the many problems of the region that they all share.
At the same time Progressive Judaism has consistently understood that peace for Israel is dependent on a two state solution, with a Palestinian state, within secure boundaries and full diplomatic and trade relationships with Israel and all other countries, alongside Israel enjoying the same rights. We understand that peace and full relationships with Arab countries can only help and contribute to these aims. It is why Progressive Jews were deeply concerned about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s aim to unilaterally annex areas of the West Bank to Israel, irrespective of the Palestinian position, now suspended as relationships with the UAE become real.
Behind all of these issues are deep Jewish values. The need to seek peace and pursue peace, the millennia old connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and the need for a Jewish state in order for the Jewish people to have a full stake and share of safety in the world. The care for the rights of the stranger which should be as strong as our care for our own rights as Jews. Our aim to be a light to nations and not to cast darkness over them. We also know that around half of Israeli citizens back Prime Minister Netanyahu’s way of doing things and about half do not, so getting involved in Israeli dissent against current government policies in Israel is as creditably Zionist an act as supporting the government.
