Head of US National Council of Jewish Women at Tel Aviv rally: ‘If you love Israel, get off the couch and into the streets’

Sheila Katz, the CEO of the US National Council of Jewish Women, speaks at tonight’s anti-overhaul rally in Tel Aviv, giving a first English speech at the weekly demonstration.

“Shalom, Kaplan! I’m honored to address you tonight as the first person you’ve invited to give a speech in English, allowing me to send a clear message to American Jews: This is our fight, too!” she says.

“If you love Israel, if you call yourself a Zionist: Get off the couch and into the streets. Speak up. We cannot let Israel’s democracy be dismantled on our watch!” Katz says

“In America, our Supreme Court took away the national right to abortion. We said it was coming, and people called us alarmists. Like you, we were told to compromise, but there can be no compromise on fundamental rights! This is not about so-called judicial reform, it’s about democracy,” she continues.

“In order for your sacred Courts to protect the rights of all people, they must remain independent from politics,” Katz says.

“There are hundreds of thousands of you out here tonight. But know there are millions more standing with you in America and around the world. We see you out here every week fighting for this country we love. Every week our hearts are with you. Every week you fill us with pride. Every week you inspire us.”

“You, the people of Israel, are our ‘or la’goyim’ [light unto the nations], showing the world what it means to fight for freedom. We are in this together. And with one voice we say: De-mo-kra-tia! [democracy],” she adds.