Normalisation of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE
The SA Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ) and the SA Association of Progressive Rabbis (SAAPR) have endorsed the following message from Rabbi Sergio Bergman, President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) published on 22 August 2020 (2 Elul 5780):
A Message from Rabbi Sergio Bergman, WUPJ President, for the Month of Elul
As we enter the month of Elul, Jews around the world begin contemplating the possibilities of a new year and a new beginning. An eternal theme of this spiritual journey is our desire for the State of Israel to live in peace and security with all her neighbors.
It is for this reason that we see the full normalization of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates as a positive step on the long road to peace. The first formal recognition of Israel by an Arab State in over 25 years gives us hope that, when we finally emerge from our isolation, a new chapter for Israel and the region has begun.
The World Union also applauds the Israeli Government’s wise decision to remove the stumbling block of unilateral annexation, and we hope there can be a rapid resumption of direct talks between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government.
We enter this holy period of the Jewish calendar with a prayer for peace for all:
עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל ואמרו אמן
Oseh shalom bimromav Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu V’al kol Yisrael V’imru: AmenMay the one who creates peace on high bring peace to us and to all Israel. And we say: Amen.
Chodesh Tov,
Rabbi Sergio Bergman
President, WUPJ
Rabbi Julia Margolis, Chair, SA Association of Progressive Rabbis
Greg Flash, National Chair, SA Union for Progressive Judaism
Normalisation of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE
26 August 2020
