Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Sunday that “Ike” Fisher, a Florida real estate magnate, high-profile fundraiser for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and an AIPAC executive board member, reportedly sent a letter to former ambassador to the US Michael Oren saying that he would stop his philanthropic activities for Israel if the government did not reverse its decisions.
“As you know, I am an active supporter of Israel. But I wish to inform you that my support is being suspended until the Israeli government changes its decision on the Western Wall and conversions,” Yedioth report quoted Fisher as writing. “It is not a matter of Reform and Conservative. What has happened here is a serious act of contempt toward the rabbis and leaders of our communities. They are saying to them: ‘You are irrelevant.’ They are saying to our women: ‘Your Judaism isn’t Judaism.’ This is intolerable, and we must put an end to it.”
“Enough is enough. The time has come for the Israeli government to understand that its public includes all of the Jewish people,” he added.
Fisher reportedly threatened to step down as chairman of the Greater Miami’s Jewish Federation campaign efforts if the government did not walk back its decisions, according to the Yedioth report. “I have advised the federation that my work will be put on hold unless Israel changes,” he explained.
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Well done! Isn’t about time that a leader in the federation and AIPAC worlds says that Israel must be for all Jews or it must live, and support itself, as an element of only one part of the Jewish world.
There are countless non-profit agencies doing valuable work in Israel, that are not connected to the government of Israel, that if one wanted to not go through the “establishment” would benefit from donors, and provide a more hands on and personal connection.
Unfortunately, Mr. Netanyahu cares more about the survival of his coalition, than about the sentiments and concerns of American Jews. It’s just the way politics is played in Israel.
Unfortunately it is the people and organisations in Israel that need his help the most who are going to suffer from Fisher’s decision to stop giving to Israel. Instead he should increase his giving to organizations and politicians working to make Israel a more just and eligatarian society. These types of changes take time.