Reform Leader’s Statement on Right Wing Attack on Reform Congregation in Israel

April 30, 2025 - On Yom HaZikaron - Israel's Memorial Day - a solemn Israeli-Palestinian joint remembrance ceremony hosted at Kehillat Ra'anan, a Reform synagogue in Ra'anana, was violently disrupted by a mob of far-right extremists. Protesters physically and verbally assaulted attendees, including families of fallen soldiers and terror victims, while some elected officials openly encouraged the incitement. A local leader of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party defended the riot and said in a social media post that it should be seen as "just the opening shot."

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, issued the following statement in response:

On Yom Hazikaron, this sacred day when lovers of Israel all over the world remember the thousands of Israelis who gave their lives defending Israel, it is shameful that there are those who instead chose this day to attack fellow Jews gathered in solemn remembrance. Equally shameful are the elected officials who encouraged the violent mob.

This was not a conflict between two groups. This was a violent, hate-filled mob of Israeli extremists who violently attacked a group of peaceful Israeli Jews. Just days ago, National Security Minister Ben Gvir came to the US with his ideology of hate but was rebuffed by almost all American Jews and governmental officials. Not surprisingly, the attack against our Reform congregation in Raanana was a result of ongoing incitement by members of the Israeli government such as Ben Gvir and Likkud ministers.

There aren't separate cemeteries for the fallen soldiers that were affiliated with different political camps. Profound grief cuts across the full spectrum of Israeli society. Memories of so many unfinished lives are held close by all of us who love Israel and understand the enormous sacrifice 77 years of statehood has required.

This day should be characterized by silent remembrance, but Israel's leaders must not remain mute in the face of such an ugly expression of anti-Jewish hate. Disagreements by themselves are not problematic, but violent attacks against those who express their Judaism and their love of Israel differently is antithetical to the values upon which Israel was founded. Those democratic values must remain the bedrock of the State of Israel and should be the rallying cries as the country observes a quieter Yom HaAtzmaut with our hostages still languishing in the tunnels of Gaza.