The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has criticized the Israeli Religious Affairs Minister, Shas MK David Azoulai, for stating falsely that “A Reform Jew, from the moment he does not follow Jewish law I cannot allow myself to say that he is a Jew.” 

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, “It is false, offensive and invites division among the Jewish people to assert, as Minister Azoulai did, that Reform Jews are not real Jews. 

“This is the last thing an Israeli Minister should be saying.

“A Jew remains a Jew, irrespective of his or her level of Jewish practice, or lack of practice. No-one has any authority to declare that other Jews are not Jews on account of their particular Jewish affiliation.

“Minister Azoulai should withdraw his remarks and apologize.”