3 February 2022

To the honorable Member of Knesset, Minister of Defense, Lt. General (Res.) Benny Gantz

Re: The statements by Irit Linur against Reform Jews on public IDF radio station, Galatz – Army Radio

We, officers and reservists, members of the Israeli Reform Movement and its congregations, stand together against the statements made by Irit Linur that were broadcast on the program, "The Last Word" on the 2nd of February 2022.

Among the "pearls of wisdom" issued from the broadcaster's mouth, were the following words:

“You have never been accepted here, go go go”

“Build for yourselves a Kotel in any other place, you have failed here”

“Go to America, build for yourselves a Kotel there… your place is not here”

 “You do not belong. You only ruin everything”

“There’s that cult, Lev Tahor… just like Lev Tahor doesn't fit nearly anywhere in the world, so too Reform Jews don't fit here. The Reform Movement isn't right for Israel. There are cults like it that are not able to exist in every place."

We, who have given the best years of our lives, to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces, in regular and reserve duty, are called over the waves of Galatz – Army Radio to leave the country, and are compared to members of a criminal cult wanted by the police!!! The fact that the military radio station broadcasts such messages that offend many good people serving in the IDF is scandalous, as is the lack of condemnation of Linur's words as derogatory and inciting by her partner on the program, and by the station commanders and editors.

We call on you, as the person in charge of the military radio station, to demand that Irit Linur apologizes on air. If she refuses to apologize, we demand her immediate dismissal.

We hope that as our partner in arms and as our commander in the past, you will not allow such incitement against us over military radio.

Sincerely,

Members of the Israel Reform Movement:

Col. (Res.) Yaron Shavit                  Past Chair of the Israel Reform Movement

Col. (Res.) Yair Lootsteen              Chair of the Israel Reform Movement

Lt. Col. (Res.) Nurit Shein              Board Member of the Israel Reform Movement, Chair of Mechinat Telem for Leadership

Major (Res.) Ronen Beeri              Deputy Chair of the Israel Reform Movement