Rivlin on Kotel agreement: 'Symbol of unity became symbol of division'
President attends annual JFNA conference, professes hope split between Israeli gov't, Diaspora Jews on kotel can be resolved; Rivlin dubs Diaspora Jews 'fifth tribe', says 'We are one people, Diaspora Jews keep us strong'; Rivlin later meets family of Israeli held captive in Gaza, vows to continue working until he, other missing civilians and soldiers are freed.
President Reuven Rivlin gave a speech at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)'s General Assembly in Los Angeles early Tuesday, addressing the crisis Israel has faced with Diaspora Jewry surrounding the Kotel agreement to build an egalitarian prayer area for all denominations and genders. "The symbol of unity, the Wall of our tears and joy, has become a symbol of division and disagreement," Rivlin lamented.
"The development of the agreement was a sensitive process, led by our government in order to try and bridge the gap. I hope that in the future we can return to the table together, and reach an understanding on this important issue. It is our mutual responsibility, and a common interest. At the same time, we must all respect Israel's democratic process," the president pleaded.
"Israeli society is going through a major change. It is changing from a society made up of a clear Zionist majority, to a society made up of four clear sectors, or 'tribes,' which are getting closer in size: secular Jews, National Religious Jews, Haredim, and Arabs. Four tribes, all of them Israeli," Rivlin explained.
"The new Israeli order is an enormous economic challenge for the State of Israel, but a social and moral challenge to not lesser degree. How do we go about creating a shared language and sense of belonging for each sector? I believe that this challenge—of creating a partnership between the four tribes—is one of the most significant challenges that the State of Israel faces today. In order to meet this challenge we need the partnership with you, the fifth tribe, the Jews of the Diaspora," he said.
"The State of Israel was, and will always be, the home of every Jew; Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, secular, traditional, Ashkenazi, Sephardic. Jews. We are all one people, and Israel is dear to all of us.
"The Jews of the Diaspora, especially in North America, are full partners. You stand beside us at times of crisis and joy. You dream with us. You challenge us. You help keep us strong. And we are strong," Rivlin affirmed.
The President praised the commitment of the Jewish community to Israel, and said, "You have real, positive, and effective impact on the Israeli system and society. We have built strong channels of cooperation on strategic issues. You have great impact on the Israeli agenda. I ask you, don't stop. As part of the challenge of building the relationship between us, we need to create an honest and open dialogue between the sides, this is our only way to move forward.
"The challenge of building the relationship between us must begin with getting to know each other better. Sometimes the way to become closer is to recognize the differences, understand the different points of view. We are one people. We all share the responsibility to keep Jewish identity and the Hebrew language, and to pass it from one generation to the next. This is a hard challenge in Israel, andit is even harder in the Diaspora," Rivlin commented.
Speaking about rising anti-Semitism in the world as well as the United States, Rivlin said, "We shall continue to fight together against anti-Semitism in all its forms; from the vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, to terror attacks against our brothers and sisters around the world, from BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions—ed) on campuses, to attacking Israel's legitimacy in the United Nations. There is no room for hesitation, we must continue the fight against it as one united front."
Rivlin also touched on Israel-US relations and thanked President Donald Trump and his predecessor Barack Obama for "supporting Israel and keeping its strategic edge." Rivlin also wished to thank American Jewish communities, saying, "I always say Israeli foreign policy has three basic principles: relations with the US, relations with the US and relations with the US. You're an inseparable part of the strong ties between Israel and the United States. I thank you for your role in developing and preserving the relationship and for maintaining the American commitment to Israel's security."
After his General Assembly speech, President Rivlin met with the family of Avera Mengistu, who has been held in Gaza for the past three years. Mengistu's family is currently in the US as part of its effort to raise awareness for the struggle to bring him home.
Rivlin gave an update to Mengistu's family on his personal efforts towards that goal with the king and prime minister of Spain, with whom he met last week during his state visit to the country.
"We're standing opposite a merciless enemy who doesn't care a whit for humanitarian principles. We'll do everything in our power to bring Avera and our missing soldiers back home," Rivlin told the Mengistu family, before vowing to continue working on the matter until all Israeli civilians and soldiers are returned.
