Our statement on the advancing judicial overhaul plans in Israel

WASHINGTON — For the 27th consecutive week in Israel, protests across the country are intensifying as the Knesset moves the first bill of the judicial overhaul through the legislative process. Against this backdrop, another legislative proposal is advancing through the Knesset to disband the Israeli Authority for the Advancement of the Status of Women and replace it with a politicized body stripped of the Authority’s current powers of review. National Council of Jewish Women CEO Sheila Katz issued the following statement:

“NCJW believes in an Israel where women, children and families of all backgrounds and communities can thrive — and we fear particularly for the rights and protections of Israeli women being dismantled from multiple channels. The proposal to disband and politicize a key professional body committed to advancing the status of women is appalling, clearly illustrating the direct threats to Israeli women.

“Democracy is the heart of a nation and attempts to dismantle the checks and balances of Israel undermine the State of Israel’s status as a Jewish and democratic state. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the protestors aiming to safeguard Israeli democracy with great tenacity — and we urge the Israeli government to ensure vital democratic protections and abandon its judicial overhaul plans entirely.”

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