Area Federations issue statements supporting Israel

American and Israeli flags flying together. Credit: John Theodor/Shutterstock.

Statement on the Violence and Rocket Attacks in Israel:

The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans is deeply concerned about the continuing crisis in Israel. We mourn the loss of all lives, and pray for no further casualties.

We believe in Israel’s right to exist and its right to self-defense, and further condemn in the strongest terms the aggressive firing of rockets directed towards multiple Israeli cities by Hamas and aligned terror organizations from Gaza.

We hope for a path forward to reestablish calm and safeguard lives.

Statement from the Birmingham Jewish Community Regarding Israel:

We, the undersigned, stand in solidarity with the State of Israel. We strongly condemn the terrorist organization Hamas and Islamic Jihad, whose rocket fire incessantly and indiscriminately targets Israelis. Since last week, Hamas has fired more than 1000 rockets striking civilian targets in Israel, including over 100 rockets from Gaza into Tel Aviv.

Israel – the democratic Jewish state and homeland of the Jewish people, like all nations, has the right and responsibility to defend its people against terrorism and any other security threats. The violence perpetuated by Hamas terrorists has no justification. It is not about evictions, annexation, or two states; nor is it about building a better future for Palestinians; the sole purpose of these attacks on civilians is to perpetuate terror and to take advantage of an already tense situation solely for Hamas’s own political benefit.

We call on the international community to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ rocket fire and terrorist activities against Israeli civilians, to recognize Israel’s right to protect its citizens, and to work to immediately stop the incitement of violence.

The Jewish Community of Birmingham prays for peace and for the security of the people of Israel, the brave men and women of the IDF, the police, and the first responders.

Birmingham Holocaust Education Center

The Birmingham Jewish Federation

The Birmingham Jewish Foundation

Chabad of Alabama

Jewish Community Relations Council

Knesseth Israel Congregation

Levite Jewish Community Center

N.E. Miles Jewish Day School

Temple Beth-El

Temple Emanu-El

MAJF Statement of Solidarity With Israel

The Mobile Area Jewish Federation expresses our solidarity with Israel and supports its right as a democratic and sovereign state to defend and protect its citizens from the onslaught of violence perpetrated by the terror organizations, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

We ask our world leaders to condemn the actions of the terror organizations, to stand with the Middle East’s only democracy and America’s stalwart ally, Israel and to assist in establishing safety and security to all in the region.

In our solidarity, the Mobile Area Jewish Federation is distributing emergency funds of $25,000 to Jewish Federations of North America to assist Israel directly and immediately; as well as offer our sincerest condolences to the innocent lives who have suffered injury and loss on both sides of the conflict.

In words and in action, the Mobile Area Jewish Federation supports Israel.

(Updated May 14 with Mobile statement)