In light of the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza:
The WUPJ condemns the most recent actions of Hamas of torturing Israeli hostages and manipulating international public sympathy for the plight of innocent Palestinians, mainly children, while playing a major role in the conditions of their starvation in Gaza.
The WUPJ also calls on the government of Israel to speak honestly about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and to act responsibly. We condemn members of the government, and anyone, who support the killing of innocent people. We support government actions to end the war now, return all Israeli hostages and engage in a strategic plan for all Israel-controlled areas that would guarantee human rights and the opportunity for safety and economic opportunity for all.
We act in accord with our Jewish values:
Education and Bearing Witness
Do not stand by the blood of your fellow
לֹא תַעֲמֹד עַל־דַּם רֵעֶךָ
We view our responsibility as Jews, especially as Jewish leaders, to be as informed as possible about what is happening in Israel and the actions taken by the State of Israel, through news sources, study, dialogue and visiting Israel.
We are pained daily by the continued captivity of our brothers and sisters held and tortured by terrorists in Gaza. We are pained by every Israeli soldier that falls, in awe of their readiness to give their lives for the existence of the only Jewish state in the world, whether or not they agree with the opinions of its leaders. We are pained by the suffering and death of innocent casualties of war in Gaza. We are pained to see fellow Jews treating Palestinians – created in God’s image – with indignity and violence as a method of taking over land.
Of the innumerable Jewish texts we could quote, we reference the prophets of Israel who teach that a religious Jew is one who lives a life of decency and compassion for all, especially society’s weak. In this past Shabbat’s reading of the book of Isaiah, Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat of vision, the prophet reprimands us (Isaiah 1:5):
עַל מֶה תֻכּוּ עוֹד תּוֹסִיפוּ סָרָה כׇּל־רֹאשׁ לׇֽחֳלִי וְכׇל־לֵבָב דַּוָּֽי׃
Why do you seek further beatings that you continue to offend?
Every head is ailing, and every heart is sick.
And then he implores us (Isaiah 1:18):
לִמְדוּ הֵיטֵב, דִּרְשׁוּ מִשְׁפָּט, אַשְּׁרוּ חָמוֹץ, שִׁפְטוּ יָתוֹם, רִיבוּ אַלְמָנָה׃
Learn to do good. Devote yourselves to justice; Aid the wronged.
Uphold the rights of the orphan; Defend the cause of the widow.
Community
A wise one to know all that goes on in the Land
חָכָם…לָדַעַת אֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ׃
We look to our brothers and sisters in Progressive Judaism – Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, the Israel Religious Action Center, Maram (Council of Reform Rabbis) – and other Israeli organizations that share our values to serve as our references on the ground. Our global movement stands behind them, as they represent Jews who simultaneously serve to defend the State of Israel from existential threat, stand up for human rights and minister to a society in trauma.
Diversity and Pluralism
All Israel is responsible for one another
שכל ישראל ערבין זה לזה:
The WUPJ is a global body of Jewish communities that represent a diverse range of political opinions. Our leaders outside of Israel tell us daily how the war in Gaza and the Israeli settler violence affect their daily lives and even their safety. They experience antisemitic remarks and even verbal and physical violence. We support them in their fraught position of maintaining the cohesion of their communities, promoting civil discourse on matters of geopolitical import but which are also deeply personal, sustaining interfaith relations, and taking a stand in the name of Progressive Jewish values.
Progressive Zionism
For Torah comes out of Zion
כִּי מִצִּיּוֹן תֵּצֵא תוֹרָה:
Our Progressive Zionism affirms the enduring connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and the necessity of Jewish self-determination in response to centuries of persecution and exile. Rooted in the values of Progressive Judaism—such as pluralism, gender equality, peace, and social justice—Progressive Zionism promotes a vision of Israel as both Jewish and democratic, grounded in its Declaration of Independence and shaped by the active engagement of Jews worldwide. Jews in Israel and around the world share a responsibility for shaping an Israel that is secure, creative, pragmatic and committed to decency, dignity, welfare and justice.
Spiritual Strength
Not by might and not by power but by my spirit
לֹא בְחַיִל וְלֹא בְכֹחַ כִּי אִם־בְּרוּחִי:
We remind ourselves, our leaders and the world that the prayerbook of every Jewish stream includes at least ten prayers a day for peace. The most known being:
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו, הוּא, בְרַחֲמָיו וַחֲסָדָיו, יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵינוּ וְעַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאִמְרוּ: אָמֵן.”
May the One who makes peace in high places make peace for us and for all Israel.
Progressive Jews add: ועל כל בני האדם, and for all humanity, as we understand that true peace is only that which we share with our neighbors.
And in the words of our Prayer for the State of Israel:
We ask God to inspire the actions of Israel’s elected leaders and officials, judges and advisors that they may follow the path of justice, liberty and righteousness. Strengthen the spirit and the hands of those who build and protect our holy land and grant them salvation and life. Bring peace to this land and everlasting joy to its inhabitants. Be with all the people of Israel wherever they are.
Amen.