Published: 21 July 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL has threatened to end its support for Habonim Dror North America (HDNA) after over 550 members and alumni of the Labor Zionist youth movement signed a petition urging HDNA to end its Israel programming in protest of Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank.
In a July 12th letter addressed to HDNA’s leadership, and obtained by Jewish Currents, Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog wrote, “we will not be able to continue to cooperate with and/or support in any way any movement that signs shameful calls such as these.”
However, Habonim Dror Australia said the situation is not as straightforward as it might seem, and directed The Jewish Independent to a statement it released three weeks ago when the dispute escalated.
“The anti-annexation petition signed by bogrot and alumni of Habonim Dror North America is not the official stance of the movement or their Mazkirut Artzit,” the statement said.
“The petition’s call to cease Zionist HDNA activity in Israel is part of a campaign by an external anti-Occupation organisation called IfNotNow, which some HDNA bogrot and alumni are part of,” said the statement, which was released a few weeks ago.
“HDOZ Federal Mazkirut has been in close contact with our partners on the HDNA Mazkirut Artzit, and are trying to support our friends as they are currently struggling to deal with the difficult dynamics of left-wing Zionism in an increasingly factionalised American society.
“HDOZ and HDNA are committed to working to prevent the illegal and undemocratic annexation,” the HDOZ statement continued.
The Jewish Agency said it had received a July 5 letter from the HDNA leadership noting that HDNA opposed the demands of the petition, Jewish Currents reported.
But the Jewish Agency—which provides visas and training for the Israeli shlichim (emissaries) sent to the US to work for HDNA’s summer camps and other programs—asked HDNA to go further in its opposition.
“We request clear answers as to how you intend to uproot the boycott conversation from its core within your movement,” wrote Herzog, a former head of Israel’s Labor party. “We expect that you will make clear to members, madrichim, and alumni that anyone who holds these positions will not be welcomed as a part of Habonim Dror North America.”
FULL STORY Jewish Agency threatens Habonim Dror over anti-annexation petition (Jewish Currents)
Photo: Jewish Agency head Isaac Herzog (Ralph Alswang)
