“As Jews, and as staunch supporters of Israel, we strongly decry the wrong-headed passage of the nation-state law in Israel. The passage of this unnecessary bill – now enshrined as a Basic Law – is part of a dangerous trend we must, and will, turn around both in the US and in Israel – the devaluation of fundamental democratic principles that assure the safeguarding and dignity of all people.

“This bill takes away hope of creating an equal and shared society. It favors one group’s ability to build communities over another’s, and it diminishes the historic status of the Arabic language as one of the two official languages of Israel.

“The state of Israel has been a miraculous balancing act between the need for a Jewish homeland that strengthens ties among Jews all over the world, and a Jewish State that treats all its citizens fairly under the law. We are dismayed and disgusted by this new law which opens the door wider to legal discrimination. It reflects an Israel fearful and unsure of itself and ignorant of the power of democracy to create a peaceful society. NCJW, as a supporter of Israel as a democracy and a homeland for the Jewish people, and of the many Israeli activists working tirelessly in the field, will never stop fighting for the equitable and inclusive state that was envisioned 70 years ago.”