Edited by: TJVNews.com
A group of Russian Jewish Americans (called the “Make Israel Great (MIG) Russian Jewish Coalition for a Strong Israel) affiliated with the ZOA Coalition (slate #11) in the upcoming World Zionist Congress 2020 elections, issued a press release raising concerns about the competing AFI (Forum) slate.
“These are important questions, because Beyteinu and Lieberman have fallen out of favor with many Russian American Jews, due to Beitenu’s and Lieberman’s negative campaigns on matters of religion and state. Many Russian American Jews don’t want to vote for a slate associated with Avigdor Lieberman.” Photo Credit: Wikipedia
“We are a group of Jewish Russian Americans who deeply care about our people and our land of Israel,” the press release states. “We also care about our communities here in United States and want to contribute to the enhancement of Jewish life around the world. We care about Torah values, sane government and protecting our people everywhere and at all cost. We were happy to see that the ZOA, the Zionist Organization of America (slate #11), has the same ideology, and we joined the ZOA slate.”
“We have several concerns and questions about the competing slate which is closest to home – American Forum of Russian Speaking Jewry, better known as American Forum for Israel (AFI or Forum).
“We are especially concerned as to whether Forum really cut its partnership and close ties with Avigdor Lieberman and his Beiteinu party. World Yisrael Beiteinu’s announcement on February 4th only said that they has parted ways “until further notice.” This wording indicates it could be just a temporary parting.”
“Also, at the same time of the announcement, World Yisrael Beytenu CEO Alex Selsky appeared live and asked people to vote for Forum, on many Russian American media outlets, including the RUNY web Russian website (on Feb. 6), and RTN Russian NY-based television (on Jan. 26).”
“Additionally, Forum (AFI) CEO and candidate Eugene Lekakh, is a key person and the founding representative of American Friends of Beytenu Olami, Inc., and works for the World Zionist Organization, under Marina Koritny, Avigdor Lieberman’s staunchest supporter.”
“These are important questions, because Beyteinu and Lieberman have fallen out of favor with many Russian American Jews, due to Beitenu’s and Lieberman’s negative campaigns on matters of religion and state. Many Russian American Jews don’t want to vote for a slate associated with Avigdor Lieberman.”
“We are also concerned that AFI’s voting record seems to contradict its statement that it supports the Orthodox Jewish community.”
“Forum (AFI) voted together with left-wing organizations for voting on Shabbat in the World Zionist Congress elections. By contrast, ZOA and Mizrahi voted to close voting on Shabbat. ZOA also wrote a brief to the Zionist Supreme Court, pointing out that Shabbat voting is unfair to observant Jews, and will harm efforts throughout the United States to combat discrimination against Sabbath-observers. …”
A group of Russian Jewish Americans (called the “Make Israel Great (MIG) Russian Jewish Coalition for a Strong Israel) affiliated with the ZOA Coalition (slate #11) in the upcoming World Zionist Congress 2020 elections, issued a press release raising concerns about the competing AFI (Forum) slate.
“[Also, f]orum (AFI) delegates were caught on videotape offering gift cards and concert ticket for votes. They later deleted the incriminating part of the video, but we were able to download the video prior to the deletion. Providing gift cards and tickets for votes violates the election rules.”
“This situation raises important questions among U.S. Russian-Jewish speakers, which we would like answers to.”
“Meanwhile, we remain proud to be a part of the ZOA Coalition (Slate #11). The ZOA Coalition has proven that it is dedicated to defending Israel, the Jewish people, and our Jewish values.”
The post Russian Jewish ZOA Coalition Members Raise Concerns: Did Competing Forum/AFI Slate Really Cut Ties With Avigdor Lieberman? appeared first on The Jewish Voice.