David Rotem Denies Remark About Reform Jews: Knesset Member Clarifies Controversial Statement

A member of the Israeli legislative government was slammed for his alleged comments about Reform Judaism on Wednesday, after media outlets reported David Rotem stating, "The Reform movement is not Jewish … they are another religion."

The statement shocked members of the Jewish community worldwide, especially as characterizing the Reform movement as another religion has political implications relating to Israel's Law of Return, which prevents non-Jews from making aliyah, or immigrating to Israel. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that a statement released by Israel's Reform movement explained that by using the term "another religion," Rotem effectively stated that "Reform Jews have no place in Israel."

Gilad Kariv, executive director of the Reform movement in Israel, called on the Knesset speaker to reprimand Rotem, who is the Knesset Law, Constitution, and Justice Committee chairman. He said, "An assertion such as this makes it impossible for lawmaker Rotem to continue to chair discussions on sensitive issues such as conversion, who is a Jew and other topics that are associated with religion and state matters, and the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora," according to Haaretz.

ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman wrote an open letter to Rotem that said, "We are deeply disturbed by reports of comments attributed to you about the Reform movement 'not being Jewish.' Such views are inappropriate, offensive and unjustified," reported The Jerusalem Post.

In a Wednesday statement, Rabbi Julie Schonfeld of the Rabbinical Assembly and Rabbi Steven Wernick of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, as well as other Conservative leaders, lamented “the utter lack of leadership that makes these outrages so frequent and undermines the very aspirations that are the foundations of Judaism and the Jewish state."

On Thursday Rotem responded to the uproar, writing on Facebook, "Comments attributed to me regarding the Reform Movement have been misinterpreted by elements within the media. I have never said belonging to the Reform Movement makes anyone less Jewish."

He continued, "While as an Orthodox Jew, I have theological differences with the Reform Movement's perspective, I maintain the greatest respect for all Jews, regardless of their denomination and background. I apologize for any misunderstanding and all offense generated by the content of my comments."