Yisrael Porush, chairman of the Magen U’Moshiah organization, conveyed an official appeal to Washington through US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, requesting his intervention in Attorney-General Gali Baharav’s severe violation of the civil rights of thousands of American citizens, who are unable to even travel to the US without being arrested.
In his letter, Porush noted that thousands of US citizens are now being denied the right to return to their own country and requested that if Huckabee “deems it appropriate,” he should bring the issue to the attention of the Trump administration.
The letter states, “Dear Ambassador Huckabee, I am honored to write to you on behalf of thousands of American citizens who now find themselves in deep distress due to severe infringements on their civil rights by the legal authorities in Israel.”
“As you are aware, a temporary cancellation has been imposed on the long-standing arrangement—maintained for nearly seventy-five years—whereby Israeli citizens devoted to full-time Torah study were exempt from military service. This decision now extends to thousands of American citizens who, in addition to their U.S. citizenship, also hold Israeli citizenship.”
“Following this cancellation, Israel’s Attorney General has ordered extreme sanctions against these individuals—approximately 80,000 people, including thousands of American citizens. These sanctions include travel bans preventing them from leaving Israel, as well as the threat of arrest.”
“Mr. Ambassador, the sole ‘offense’ of these American citizens is their dedication to Torah study. You yourself have publicly stated that Torah learning is the salvation of the Jewish nation. It is therefore inconceivable that American citizens should be treated as criminals for the very act that embodies their faith, heritage, and contribution to the Jewish people.”
“Indeed, some of these American citizens may even wish to relinquish their Israeli citizenship—retaining only their U.S. citizenship in order to continue their Torah study without interference. Yet under the current restrictions, they are not even permitted to leave Israel to exercise that right.”
“We therefore appeal to you, in the name of these law-abiding U.S. citizens, to intervene and prevent this absurd situation in which Americans are denied the right to return to their own country because of internal political and judicial disputes in Israel. These citizens deserve the same dignity and protection accorded to every American, wherever they may reside.”
“Your deep respect for the Jewish people and for the Torah is well known. We now call upon you, as the representative of the United States in Israel, to act urgently with the Israeli authorities to lift these restrictions and ensure that American citizens are not punished for their faith and their commitment to Torah study. We would also respectfully request that—if you deem it appropriate—you bring this petition to the attention of the administration in Washington so that these concerns may be addressed at the highest levels.”
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
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11 Responses
As noble as Rabbi Porush’s strategy seems logical, the entrenched leftist anti-religious Israeli judiciary doesn’t care what an US administration would say. The only way this could possibly work would be if the USA would sanction this witch AG as well as the SC chief Amit. That might be impactful. Imagine the same moronic Kaplanists protesting against the US Embassy if this somehow happens.
What a perfectly worded letter!
The only thing I would add, is that our responsibility as Yidden extends to every Yid, regardless of whether he is or is not an American citizen.
Since this Gezeira hangs over the head of every Yid who wishes to be a truly free man and learn Torah, and the US is the state of Israel’s lifeline, it is only appropriate to appeal to the ambassador to pull all the strings at his disposal to reverse the evil decree in its entirety, not just from those who happen to have American citizenship.
The A.G. is following the same style of justice system used by the Nazis. Two sets of law – one for the Germans and another for only the Jews. Now the A.G. and the Israeli Supreme court has established a justice systems for all non-religious Jews, Arabs, Druze and Beduion and a seperate system for Charedim .
Yisrael Porush wrote: “Mr. Ambassador, the sole ‘offense’ of these American citizens is their dedication to Torah study.”
This is untrue. “Dedication to Torah study” is not illegal in the State of Israel. Even the detestable AG (may she be fired soon and in our days) is not pursuing people because of their “dedication to Torah study,” but rather for other reasons pertaining to the draft (the merits and demerits of which can be debated by honest & informed people).
Porush may wish to study Jewish history and explore what happened centuries ago when the Jews of Eretz Yisroel made accusations against each other and invited the Romans to resolve things… It didn’t end well.
Absolutely! Even Mr.Huackabee appreciated limud hatorah more than the erev rav and some evil rabbi bashing commenter here. How sad and how great the punishment will be against those mevazeh talmidei chachamim publicly, אין רפואה למכתו is the exact lashon
Unfortunately notwithstanding the good intentions of ישראל Porush, he probably is not aware of international law/convention concerning Dual Citizenship:- someone who is citizen of country A & country B, when s/he is in country B, there is nothing country A can do to help/protect him/her, as this person is subject to all the laws of country B.
It is becoming harder to tell the diference between chareidi askanim and malshinim.
The Attorney General’s actions are despicable. I hope that Ambassador Huckabee understands the truth. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Unfortunatly my son has the same issue.
May Hashem help us all.
תורה מגנא ומצלא
Calling in non-Jews to settle a disagreement between Jews. We’ve seen this film before – somehow, it never ends well.
an Israeli Yid
The United States ought to impose severe sanctions on Israeli officials.