Diaspora Jews Urge Broad Israeli Coalition for Democracy and Peace

Over 2,000 diaspora Jews have signed an open letter calling for the formation of a broad coalition government in Israel that includes both Jewish and Arab parties. The initiative, spearheaded by The London Initiative (TLI), advocates for a government committed to restoring liberal democracy, strengthening civil equality, resuming peace efforts with the Palestinians, and improving Israel's relations with the diaspora and Western allies. The letter, which had 1962 signatories on November 10 and 2074 by November 11, is addressed to six Israeli politicians: former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Democrats party chairman Yair Golan, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman, Ra'am head Mansour Abbas, and United Arab List representative Youssef Jabareen.

Signatories include prominent figures from various countries such as Birthright Israel co-founder Charles Bronfman, former head of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies fund Jeffrey Solomon, former CEO of the UK Conservative Party Mick Davis, chairwoman of the Clore Duffield Foundation Vivienne Duffield, former chairwoman of the Israel Policy Forum Susie Gelman, and United Jewish Israel Appeal president Trevor Chinn. The letter also garnered support from former UK Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, former Canadian minister Yara Sakss, former British Ambassador to Israel Matthew Gould, former Canadian Ambassador to Israel John Allen, and former UK Special Envoy to the Middle East Michael Levy. Several British rabbis, including Jonathan Wittenberg, Charlie Baginsky, and Jeremy Gordon, also signed. Sharon Lifschitz, daughter of Oded Lifschitz who was abducted and killed by Hamas on October 7, and Magen Inon, whose parents were killed in the Hamas attack, are among the signatories. Support for the initiative has come from at least 15 countries.

The letter argues that the events following the October 7 Hamas attack highlight the interconnectedness of Israel and global Jewish communities. It asserts that the outgoing government has damaged Israeli democracy, society, and security, weakening Israel's international standing, straining relations with host governments for diaspora Jews, and weakening the bond between Israel and the diaspora. The proposed coalition should be founded on five principles: restoring liberal democracy and the rule of law; building a just society with equal rights for all citizens, including the legitimacy of Arab political parties; renewing efforts for a peaceful resolution with the Palestinians, recognizing the link between security and peace; strengthening the partnership between Israel and the diaspora based on mutual respect; and restoring constructive diplomacy with countries where signatories reside.

A central theme is the necessity of including Arab parties in the government, viewing political partnership with Arab citizens as a normal democratic practice. The signatories emphasize that Jews living as minorities abroad depend on liberal democratic norms for protection, thus making incitement against Arab citizens and denial of political cooperation with them harmful to both Israel and diaspora Jewish communities. The letter clarifies that while unity is supported, a "government of national unity" that merely paper over deep disagreements is insufficient. Instead, they advocate for a coalition formed around a concrete, shared program.

The initiative emerges amidst Israel's post-election political landscape, with the six targeted parties holding a combined 67 seats in the Knesset, exceeding the 61 needed for a majority. While the letter represents a public appeal to influence coalition negotiations, the final decision rests with Israeli parties. Mick Davis, a co-founder of TLI, stated that the outgoing government left Israel less secure and more isolated, and that diaspora Jews have a right to voice their concerns. The organizers hope this pressure will encourage Israeli politicians to form a coalition committed to change.