We, the undersigned, Israeli expats, are concerned and dismayed by the assembly of the new government, the 37th government of Israel, whose attributes, messages, and actions undermine the fundamental values of the State of Israel and the democratic and egalitarian foundations of the home of the Jewish people as stipulated in the Declaration of Independence. We were raised and educated to serve the State of Israel, and we’re committed to its safety, ethos, and prosperity at all times, wherever we are.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is indicted of three serious indictments concerning public morality, has forged a dangerous political alliance with extremist groups that don't share the burden of Israeli citizenship nor the values of equality and democracy, and whose leaders are convicted of supporting terrorism and bribery. The new government they formed does not strive for all the parts of for all the parts of Israel's society's security, economic, social, or cultural welfare. Instead, this government threatens to destroy the Zionist enterprise and attacks Israel’s democracy.
We oppose any attempt to institutionalize discrimination and racism against groups in Israeli society, including Arabs, immigrants, women, and LGBT people. Equality is a fundamental value in democracy and one of the pillars of the Declaration of Independence.
We oppose the intention to turn the Israeli security forces, military, and law enforcement in which citizens professionally serve to protect Israelis from all walks of Israeli society into an instrument played by extremist politicians, both within the borders of the State of Israel and in the occupied territories.
We oppose the attack on the judicial system and its subjugation to politicians instead of having an independent and professional system that governs the rule of law. In particular, we oppose attempts to harm the independent status of the Supreme Court of Justice, the protector of Israeli citizens against the tyranny of the government and a central element of the checks and balances system of Israel’s democracy.
We oppose any intention to harm the independence of the media and the freedom of the press. A free press allows the citizens to follow the government's actions and formulate a critical position, which is essential for any viable democracy. We will notably stand against any attempt to harm the Public Broadcasting Union that has become the spearhead of original and groundbreaking Israeli artwork.
We oppose any intention to harm the education and future of Israel’s youngest generation of children by entrusting the Jewish content developing our children’s Jewish identity to extremists whose Jewish practice is not the way of the secular public.
We oppose any attempt to change the Law of Return in a way that deprives many of the sons and daughters of the Jewish people of their natural right to make Israel their home and see the State of Israel as their safe haven in times of need.
This is a dark hour for Israelis seeking freedom, equality, and justice wherever they are and for everyone who cherishes the Jewish and Democratic State of Israel. We seek to strengthen the Israeli activists who oppose the new government and join them in spirit and actions, wherever we are, as a human network protecting Israel's democracy and safety.
Israel's founding father, David Ben-Gurion, said: "The State of Israel will be judged not by its wealth, nor by its army, nor by its technology, but by its moral character and human values." In his spirit, we stand with our Israeli brothers and sisters who strive to oppose the new government and will make their voices heard. We will help in every way, including informing and impacting the global community, to maintain the fundamental values of the State of Israel as stated in the Declaration of Independence: freedom, justice, peace, and equality for all citizens. Today we are enlisting in the defense army of the democratic state for Jewish and all other citizens and the greatest achievement of our people- the State of Israel.