Joint Statement from National Jewish Organizations
October 9, 2023, New York, NY…Below, please find a statement from Harriet P. Schleifer, Chair, and William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, followed by a consensus statement from 48 Conference of Presidents Member Organizations:
“The brutal, unprecedented attack by Iran-backed Hamas terrorists by air, land, and sea assault is devastatingly sad and outrageous. While numbers continue to be updated, over 900 people are dead, over 1,500 injured, and Hamas claims they have taken hostage 164 civilians and soldiers. The Jewish community and American people stand united in solidarity with the people and the State of Israel. This statement by Conference member organizations, representing the broad religious, ideological, and political spectrum of American Jewry, expresses the unity of the Jewish people in support of the State of Israel.”
“The members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations stand united in support of Israel. Saturday was one of the gravest and most devastating days in Israel’s history. Iran-backed Hamas terrorists in Gaza carried out a highly coordinated, unprovoked, and unprecedented assault by air, land, and sea to cross into Israel and overtake numerous Israeli communities. Over the days and weeks ahead, the IDF will take decisive actions to destroy the terrorist threat from Gaza. Israel, like all other nations, has both the right and responsibility to protect its citizens. This military operation is not one of Israel’s choosing but one made necessary by Hamas and Iran. We mourn those lost, pray for a speedy recovery for those injured, and for the safe return of hostages. We urge our neighbors, partners, and political leaders here in the United States to stand with Israel today and throughout its operation in Gaza.”
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, ADL, AIPAC, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Ameinu, American Israel Friendship League, American Friends of Likud, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Congress, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, American Sephardi Federation, American Zionist Movement, AMIT, ARZA, B’nai Brith International, B’nai Zion, CAMERA, Central Conference of American Rabbis, Emunah of America, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Hadassah-The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Hillel International, JCC Association of North America, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Jewish Federations of North America, Jewish Institute for National Security of America, Jewish Labor Committee, Jewish National Fund, Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish Women International, Mercaz USA- Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement, NA’AMAT USA, NCSEJ- National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, National Council of Jewish Women, National Council of Young Israel, ORT America, Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbinical Council of America, Religious Zionists of America, UJA-Federation of New York, Union for Reform Judaism, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, WIZO USA, Women of Reform Judaism, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, World Zionist Executive, USA, Zionist Organization of America.