Birthright co-founder slams walk-off protesters abusing free trip

Charles Bronfman says if young Jews want to criticize Israel, they should pay their own way

Birthright Israel co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Charles Bronfman said in an interview published Wednesday that young Jews are free to criticize Israel — but not while enjoying a free trip.

“If people want to call Israel names and say bad things about the country, they certainly have the right to free speech. But they don’t have the right to do it on our nickel,” he told the Israeli daily Haaretz.

His comments come after at least two groups of American Jews visiting Israel on the 10-day trip walked off their tours to join left-wing groups on visits to Palestinians. The walk-offs reportedly were encouraged by IfNotNow, a left-wing American-Jewish group.

The young Jews who walked off and some others who remain on them are critical of Birthright’s failure to deal with what they say is Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. Some have complained that maps handed out to participants do not draw a proper distinction between Israel and the West Bank.

Bronfman said in his interview with Haaretz that participants on Birthright can extend their trip and join any kind of group they want, or travel on their own to Palestinian areas.

“If they want to go to the West Bank or Gaza, they are certainly free to go,” he told Haaretz.

“What is not fair is making a big tzimmes [fuss] while the trip is on. Frankly, I just don’t think that is fair to their fellow participants.”

Some Birthright participants filming themselves talking about their reasons for leaving their trip earlier this month. (Screenshot from Facebook via JTA)

Bronfman expressed concern over improperly marked maps, however, saying he hoped it was a one-time mistake.

He noted that the Birthright experience includes four hours devoted to discussing the situation between Israel and the Palestinians, both in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza, as impartially as possible.

“I don’t see the issue not being addressed,” he said.

Bronfman called the walk-offs a sign of Birthright’s success.

“If we weren’t successful,” he said, “we wouldn’t have the problem.”