August 20, 2024 - Over 1,400 Jews from the United States and Canada signed a petition from the Union for Reform Judaism urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to heed the voices of the hostages' families and negotiate for a new ceasefire and hostage deal during the latest round of negotiations in Qatar. The petition with the signatures was delivered to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC on Monday, August 19th.
"With the voices of hostages' family members in our ears and fear for the hostages' fate in our hearts, our Jewish community is yearning to hear a commitment from the Israeli Prime Minister to a deal that will bring every hostage home," said Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism. "We are buoyed by Secretary Blinken's account that PM Netanyahu has agreed to a "bridging proposal," and pray Hamas will do the same. We share the view of the Biden Administration that this deal is the best chance for a swift return of all the hostages, the assurance of Israel's security, and an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."
The petition, addressed directly to PM Netanyahu, was signed by a diverse contingent of North American Jews, inspired by a love of Israel and commitment to its well-being and security. The petition also outlines the tremendous toll the war has taken on innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza. "As Jews, we are taught the sacred mitzvah of Pidyon Shvu'im, the redemption of captives," the petition reads. "We also are a people who know that we must never be inured to the suffering of the innocent. We hold fast to the ideal that each of us is created b'tselem Elohim, in the image of God."
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