Jerusalem, June 30, 2026 — Representatives of The Jewish Agency for Israel’s Board of Governors, who convened in Israel this week, issued a joint statement expressing concern over proposed legislation in the Knesset that they say could undermine Jewish pluralism and weaken the Jewish people, including proposed measures related to egalitarian prayer at the Kotel and the Law of Return. The statement also calls for respectful and responsible public discourse in Israel and throughout the Jewish world, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect even in times of disagreement.

Full text of the statement:

“As one people and with one heart” (Rashi on Exodus 19:2)

Since its founding, the Jewish Agency has worked to serve as a bridge between world Jewry and the State of Israel. In that spirit, the Jewish Agency proudly affirms its commitment to world Jewry in all its diversity—and commits to actively working to prevent any attempt to discriminate against or exclude Jews. All Jews, including but not limited to Reform, Conservative and Orthodox, deserve equal respect, dignity, full inclusion and recognition.

A diverse, pluralistic, and tolerant Judaism has been and remains one of the cornerstones of Zionism and of the resilience of the Jewish people.

To that end, the Committee for the Unity of the Jewish People expresses its concern about recent proposed legislations in the Knesset that undermine Jewish pluralism and weaken the Jewish People.

In consonance with the recently adopted Resolution 5 of the 39th World Zionist Congress, we call on the Knesset to reject any attempt to criminalize egalitarian prayer at the Kotel, and to uphold recent Supreme Court decisions to provide full access and equal quality of experience to the Egalitarian Kotel platform.

In that same spirit, we urge the current and future Knesset to reject any attempt to change the status quo regarding the Law of Return.

The leadership of the National Institutions shall advocate on behalf of the Jewish people, educating Israelis on the importance of Jewish unity and Israel-World Jewry mutual responsibility.

Furthermore, at this time ahead of elections in Israel, The Jewish Agency, as a body representing the full breadth of the Jewish people in Israel and abroad, calls for real accountability: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). The Jewish Agency sees it as existentially important that public discourse be conducted with respect and responsibility. This type of discourse expresses mutual dignity even in times of disagreement and serves as a vital source of strength in our ability to stand as one people against the threats and challenges we face, both internal and external.

We therefore call on Israeli leaders, as well as Jewish leadership worldwide, to maintain that respect in their public discourse, and to act and speak with respect towards Jews of all streams.

Only by preserving the unity of the Jewish people, while honoring the differences and diversity within it, can we continue to strengthen the deep bond between Israel and world Jewry.

Media Contact:
Jake Sharfman, JCubed Communications
Jacob@jcubedpr.com

About The Jewish Agency for Israel:

Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.