ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA IN THE MEDIA   Netanyahu Presses Need for Judicial Reform in Meeting With Divided American Jewish Leaders In a 'respectful' meeting in New York, the prime minister argued that those opposing the reforms 'have the wrong perception' By Haley Cohen (September 22, 2023 / EJEWISHPHILANTHROPY) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pressed his case for the need for judicial reform in a wide-ranging, hour-long meeting with Jewish leaders in New York on Friday afternoon, trying to convince the skeptics in the room that they have the “wrong perception” of his government’s controversial moves. The discussion with about 20 Jewish communal leaders from across the political and denominational spectrum took place at the Israeli Consulate hours after the prime minister addressed the UN General Assembly. The meeting also touched on issues including threats from Iran, the role of women and the rise of antisemitism. “The prime minister kept his remarks short and then it was opened up to questions, responses and a few back-and-forths,” Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), told eJewishPhilanthropy as she was leaving the closed-door event. “I brought up gender and women in Israel. It was a robust conversation with a diverse cross set of Jewish leaders; not the full swath of Jewish leaders but a diverse set of mainstream leaders. “Everybody was really respectful, thoughtful and kind, which is notable because it’s not always that way,” Katz continued. “There are two different tales in the Jewish community. What I heard in a lot of the comments today was everybody saying their side is right. Prime Minister Netanyahu told us our perception is wrong. He spent a lot of time trying to clarify that we have the wrong perception on judicial reform. I didn’t hear everything I wanted to hear but did get a better understanding of where the administration is." .... Morton A. Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), echoed that the meeting was respectful, adding it “had no fireworks.” “Even people on the left that I spoke to, I won’t mention names, said they were very impressed with Netanyahu’s explanations,” Klein told eJP. “They said they wished Netanyahu would have explained all this before [judicial reform] went to legislation. They said they understand better this is a rational approach to the judicial system.”   CONTINUE READING     Share This Email Share This Email VISIT OUR WEBSITE   Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2023, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]