The coalition of progressive Jewish organizations known as the Progressive Israel Network (PIN) amassed as many as 200 people to protest the new Netanyahu government’s effort to “reform” Israel’s judiciary by negating its power to review legislation, and rigging the appointment of judges. Despite the overcast weather and sporadic rain, the earnest protesters were barely contained by the metal police barricades as they sang Hebrew songs and listened to the speakers — representing T’ruah, Ameinu, Partners for Progressive Israel (PPI), J Street, the Jewish Labor Committee, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST), the New Israel Fund and others.
Also among the speakers was New York City’s Comptroller Brad Lander, second only to the Mayor among the City’s elected officials, who revealed a depth of knowledge of what’s going on in Israel and a clear identification with the protest’s progressive purpose and his own Jewish identity. A JTA/New York Jewish Week article captured many of the rally’s highlights, as did an article in the Times of Israel.
