December 21, 2022 — New York
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, congratulates incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on forming a new government, following the Nov. 1 elections.
AJC is proud of its long history of strong partnership with Israel’s leaders. We look forward to working closely once again with Prime Minister Netanyahu, having conferred with him for more than 40 years, including in his previous tenures as Prime Minister from 1996 to 1999 and from 2009 to 2021, and earlier during his service as Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington and as Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations.
In June 2018, marking Israel’s 70th anniversary, Netanyahu was the keynote speaker at AJC Global Forum, the largest-ever gathering of an American Jewish advocacy organization in Jerusalem. In honor of the country’s 75th anniversary, AJC Global Forum 2023 will take place in Tel Aviv.
Due to AJC’s long-standing working relationships with Israeli government officials on shared priorities, as well as our profound admiration and respect for Israel’s vibrant democracy and civil society, we trust that Israel will continue to uphold the values that have allowed it to stand out as a beacon of freedom in the Middle East and as a source of pride and spiritual sustenance for the Jewish people as a whole.
AJC will continue to work closely with the Prime Minister and Israeli policy-makers to help ensure that the inflammatory rhetoric that has been employed by some members of the governing coalition -- rhetoric unrepresentative of Israel’s democratic values, its role as a homeland for all Jews, and its unwavering quest for peace -- will not define the domestic and foreign policies of the new government.
We firmly believe that the Jewish and democratic State of Israel will continue to embrace all Jews regardless of their beliefs or practice; that it will strive to live up to its promise of equality for all its citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and that it will continue to pursue prospects for peace.
AJC remains committed to addressing ongoing threats to Israel’s security, strengthening Israel’s place in the world, standing up to those who seek to delegitimize Israel, enhancing the deep bonds between Israeli and American Jews, expanding Israel’s circle of peace, and amplifying the shared values that unite Israel, the United States, and our allies.
AJC was the first American Jewish organization to open a full office in Israel, in 1964, in Jerusalem. AJC Jerusalem, under the leadership of Lt. Col. (Res.) Avital Leibovich, engages with top Israeli leaders to forge partnerships throughout Israeli society, and is active in diplomacy, interreligious relations, and strengthening ties between Israelis and American Jews.
