Rabbis Protest at United Nations against Human Rights Violations in Israel

Yesterday a large number of Rabbis gathered in protest outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, against what they told me was a violation of basic human rights in Israel. There are many who may be aware that there are Jews who oppose assorted policies of the state of Israel. This group, though, was very different. They not only see the Israeli state as engaged in illegitimate acts but reject the assent in its very existence.

Their signs denounced Zionism and Israel and proclaimed that there would be no peace in the Middle East until the State itself is gone. They see the establish of Israel by Jews during the time of Divinely decreed exile as doomed to yield much suffering.

In their view, a peaceful transfer of power to non-Jewish hands would be the first step towards a lasting peace.

On this day, though, they were concerned with issues of police brutality, unjust arrest and incarceration by the Israeli government of those whose crime is to simply peacefully protest against state policies which impinge on their religious practices.

It seems that matters got out of hand in a town known as Beit Shemesh in Israel where a group of Orthodox Jews peacefully hung a sign calling on all those who visit their neighborhood to dress in respectful manner. The police took the sign down. The community put it back. Then the police attempted to take it down again. It was at that point that the police violently attacked the protesters, injuring several and randomly arresting in a brutal fashion many an innocent.

Of course, they be others who have different version of these happenings. But the facts on the ground, speak, largely for themselves. Protesters are injured, not policemen. The Orthodox use no violence. They desire to simply go about their business, while observing their ancient faith. Police wield billy clubs.

It seems, at least to this outsider, that the Orthodox have a point. The Israeli government seems intent on making their life miserable.

Perhaps, it is high time that the United Sates or the United Nations looked into this shabby state of affairs.