Statements concerning Israel
On the anniversary of October 7, Ann Toback’s tells The New Republic the erosion of democracy is driving human suffering and the expansion of the conflict.
On the anniversary of October 7, Ann Toback’s insights in The New Republic highlight the impacts we must reflect on.
In light of the attacks on Israel by Hamas on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle, released this statement:
We condemn the horrific, brutal attacks by Hamas that have left hundreds dead and thousands injured in Israel, as well as the kidnapping of civilians. We urge the immediate and safe release of the more than 100 hostages; families, elderly and children who have been taken to Gaza.
The Workers Circle Resigns from the Conference of Presidents
The Workers Circle Resigns from the Conference of Presidents.
Condemnation of the Israeli Parliament’s decision to overturn the reasonableness standard
On the anniversary of October 7, Ann Toback’s insights in The New Republic highlight the impacts we must reflect on.
The Workers Circle Responds to the Alarming Efforts to Undermine Democracy in Israel
The Workers Circle has been engaged in a comprehensive campaign to protect democracy and voting rights in the United States. As an organization rooted in Jewish culture and social and economic justice since our inception in 1900, we cannot remain silent about the alarming efforts to undermine democracy in Israel. We stand in solidarity with the hundreds of thousands of Israelis protesting the government’s effort to weaken the judiciary. While Israel has a long way to go in advancing human rights fairly and fully to all, particularly to Palestinians and other marginalized communities, any such progress in this endeavor will be that much more challenging to achieve if the independence of the nation’s institution responsible for enforcing laws and protecting rights is compromised.
Statement of Solidarity in the Struggle to Preserve Democracy in Israel
The persistent, unprecedented campaign by Prime Minister Netanyahu and right-wing leaders in Israel to remove the ability of the court to check legislative power has been alarming. Netanyahu’s announcement that they will delay the court overhaul by one month while simultaneously creating a civilian National Guard under the command of Israel’s extremist minister of national security raises deep concern and demonstrates the threat to Israel’s democracy is not over. The Workers Circle stands in solidarity with the millions of people, civil society organizations, labor unions, diplomats, lawmakers, and members of the military as they protest this fundamental attack on Israel’s democracy.
Workers Circle statement on the Violence and Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza
The rapid escalation of violence and the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza requires us to speak out now. As a global superpower and Israel’s closest ally, the US has a responsibility to do much more to end this escalation and to pursue policies that address the root causes of this conflict, including the ongoing occupation.
The Workers Circle Opposes Codification of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
The Workers Circle, a 121-year-old social justice organization that powers progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multigenerational education, and activism, issued the following statement regarding the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations’ (COP) announcement that it was adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s new Working Definition of anti-Semitism. The Workers Circle, a member of COP, did not join the 51 other member organizations that agreed to adopt the definition.
Statement on Israel by the Board of Directors of the Workers Circle
The Workers Circle has always had two defining premises that inform our positions about Israel. The first is that we are in favor of a two-state solution and the second is that equality and democracy must be the basis for the existence of both states. This view is reflected in Israel’s 1948 founding document which stated that Israel would “ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.” Further it guaranteed “freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture.”