RHR-NA Supports Secretary of State Clinton's Position on Home Demolition

March 9, 2009                13 Adar, 5769

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Clinton,

On behalf of Rabbis for Human Rights - North America, an organization of rabbis from all the streams of Judaism dedicated to the human rights of all, we want to express our strong support for your efforts to prevent the Government of Israel's proposed demolition of over 80 Palestinian homes in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan.  We believe that the demolition of Palestinian homes in the Jerusalem area and in the West Bank is an egregious violation of the core Jewish values on which Israel is based and of the core American commitment to equality under the law. 

The demolition of these homes is fundamentally discriminatory and serves no security purpose.  It is almost impossible for Palestinians to legally obtain building permits in those parts of the West Bank under Israeli civilian control or in Jerusalem, while thousands of homes are built for Jews in the same areas.  Israel uses discriminatory zoning practices to limit the growth of the Palestinian population.  Indeed, the Or Commission set up in 2000 to examine the causes for the deaths of 13 Palestinian citizens pointed to the zoning and housing inequities as one of the factors that fuels the frustration of Palestinian citizens of Israel.  

As rabbis deeply committed to Israel, we believe that these proposed demolitions violate the prophetic principles of freedom, justice and equality articulated in Israel's Declaration of Independence as the central values of the Jewish state.  As American citizens, we believe these proposed demolitions are in violation of the principle that under girds democracy: equality before the law.  We would not allow such ethnic discrimination in our own country, nor should we allow it in other countries.  Moreover, the demolition of these homes will undoubtedly engender further hatred, perpetuate the cycle of violence, and weaken the security of the State of Israel. 

We share this ethical commitment with our colleagues of Rabbis for Human Rights in Israel, who have courageously done all they can over many years to end this policy.  In 2004 over 400 North American rabbis, including many leaders of rabbinical schools, signed a public letter to Prime Minister Sharon urging him to end the policy of home demolition.  The Union of Reform Judaism passed a resolution in support of this position in March, 2004.  I have enclosed copies of the Rabbis' letter and of the resolution. 

There is broad and strong opposition in the Jewish community to this practice.  We urge you to insist that Israel not demolish these Palestinian homes and end the policy of home demolition.  We support all your efforts to prevent this egregious injustice.

With great admiration for upholding the values of our country,

Rabbi Brian Walt             Rabbi Gerry Serotta

Executive Director                       Chair

For more background information, read the Israel Policy Forum's recent article about home demolition.