Over 2,000 Jews, representing communities across 27 countries in both the Diaspora and Israel, including Israeli expats, called for politicians to form a "coalition of change" in an open letter initiated by The London Initiative, which was published on Wednesday.
The letter itself was addressed to Yashar's Gadi Eisenkot, B'Yachad's Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, The Democrats' Yair Golan, Yisrael Beytenu's Avigdor Liberman, Ra'am's Mansour Abbas, and The Joint List's Yousef Jabareen.
"You have the historic opportunity to form a broad and stable coalition government that, through its composition, policies, and actions, can repair this damage and reverse the decline. Given that Israel is the national homeland of the Jewish People, and the futures of Israel and world Jewry are intertwined, we call on each of you to begin the process of repair by forming a coalition in keeping with the vision set out by Israel’s founders in the Declaration of Independence," the letter reads.
Letter lists out five points that signatories believe Israeli political parties should commit to
The letter also lists out what the signatories believe the "coalition of parties" should commit to.
Firstly, "repairing Israel's weakened liberal democracy and restoring the rule of law."
Next, the letter called for the MKs to promote a fairer society based on equal rights and obligations for the benefit of all citizens of Israel “without distinction of race, creed or sex” as set out in the Declaration of Independence.
"This commitment necessarily embraces the inherent legitimacy and welcomes the inclusion of parties representing Israel’s Arab citizens," the writers added.
Next, the writers called on the MKs to renew the pursuit of "secure peace with the Palestinian people," and "honestly acknowledging that true security and peace are interdependent."
Next, the letter called for stronger partnership between Israel and the Diaspora "based on mutual respect and appreciation of our distinct perspectives and circumstances."
Finally, the letter urged the MKs to engage in diplomacy to rebuild bilateral relations with the signatories' respective governments in ways that are "beneficial for Israel, our own countries and our Jewish communities."
"We therefore encourage you to form with all parties who accept and are willing to work towards the above goals the coalition of change that Israel, its citizens and world Jewry so need," the letter concludes.
Who signed the letter, and what else does it say?
Among the signatories are Charles Bronfman, the Canadian-born founder of Birthright, philanthropist Vivienne Duffield, and Malcom Rifkind, who served in several British cabinet positions, including as foreign secretary from 1995 to 1997 and defense secretary from 1992 until 1995.
Other signatories include Matthew Gould, who served as British ambassador to Israel from 2010 to 2015, and Michael Walzer, professor emeritus at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton.
Among the Israeli signatories are Sharon Lifshitz, the daughter of former hostage Yocheved Lifshitz and murdered hostage Oded Lifshitz, and Magen Inon, whose parents, Bilha and Yaakov, were both murdered during the October 7 massacre.
Mick Davis, the former CEO of the UK's Conservative Party and ex-chairman of the UK's Jewish Leadership Council, was one of the leaders of the initiative.
"Decisions made in Israel affect Jews everywhere. We need real leadership to ensure that this opportunity is not missed. Diaspora Jews should express their positions, and ensure that their voices are heard," Davis said.
"Our goal is to encourage all of you to work together to build a coalition for change that will serve Israel, Diaspora Jewry, and relations between us. Events since October 7 have emphasized how everything that impacts Israel profoundly impacts Jews around the world and vice versa," the letter reads.
"Like a majority of Israeli voters and a large majority of Diaspora Jews, according to recent polls, we believe the outgoing government caused great cumulative damage to Israel’s democracy, society, and security," it reads.
"Many of its policies and statements also eroded Israel’s standing in the community of democratic nations, including with the United States, its most important ally. It strained relations between our Jewish communities, our respective governments, and fellow citizens. It weakened the connections between Israel and Diaspora Jews. Together, these processes pose an existential danger to all our futures."
"While we embrace the idea of unity, it can only be based on these principles. A so-called 'Unity Government' that papers over fundamental disagreements over the future will not be able to govern effectively and lead the changes that Israel and the Diaspora need. Moreover, many years of repeated good faith attempts at unity governments have all ended in abject failure and stood in the way of change," the letter reads.
"As Jews who live as minorities and rely on the safeguards provided to us by liberal democratic norms, the last government’s incitement against Israel’s Arab citizens and its delegitimization of political partnership was anathema and harmful to us as well as to Israel," it concludes.
"We believe this must now change. We wish you all success in forming such a government of change. Further, we look forward to working in tireless partnership with you to advance the foundational values and strategic interests of both Israel and Diaspora Jewry."