WASHINGTON (JTA) — A New Israel Fund petition calls on Israel’s prime minister to work with the group to “strengthen Israel’s democratic and pluralistic foundation.”
The petition, addressed to Benjamin Netanyahu, makes note of “a disturbing picture that has emerged of nationalist extremism that would stifle and erode Israeli democracy,” including women being arrested for wearing prayer shawls at the Western Wall, proposed legislation that would label some NGOs as political and legislation that would return authority over conversions to the ultra-Orthodox rabbinate.
Daniel Sokatch, CEO of NIF, in a video address on the organization’s Web site urged members to sign the petition, which a day after its release Tuesday had garnered 1,121 signatures.
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