Rabbinical Council of America Supports Israel’s Position on Developing the E 1 Corridor

The Rabbinical Council of America, the largest organization of Orthodox rabbis in the world, decries the sheer distortion by critics of Israel of the meaning of proposed construction in the E1 corridor. The RCA stands strongly with the State of Israel in its pursuit of its vital interests. Israeli construction in E1 does not block the territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state, as can be quickly verified by a glance at the map.

Israeli sovereignty over this corridor has been long standing Israeli policy. For nearly twenty years, every Israeli prime minister has affirmed that any final, negotiated borders of the city of Jerusalem would include the “E1 corridor” connecting Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim. Since the beginning of negotiations for a resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, there has been a mutual understanding that this corridor would end up under Israeli sovereignty. This is reflected in a map published by U.S. Ambassador Dennis Ross codifying the Clinton Administration’s parameters in the year 2000.

The RCA believes that only direct negotiations without preconditions between the parties will lead to a lasting peace. We call upon the world community to cease its one-sided criticism of Israel and to exert its influence to bring the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, president of the RCA, stated, “The rabbis of the RCA reassert the strong religious and historic ties of the Jewish people with the Land of Israel and pray for a time of peace and cooperation for all the peoples of the Middle East. We reaffirm, as well, our strong support for the government of Israel and the decisions of its democratically elected leadership.”

Rabbi Leonard Matanky, First Vice President of the RCA, added, “The rabbis of the RCA are disappointed in those who celebrated the General Assembly vote on upgrading Palestinian status but had nothing to say about the over-the-top incitement and hatred in President Mahmoud Abbas’ speech at the UN.”