The Orthodox Union (OU) has prepared eight resolutions for its biannual Convention in Jerusalem this autumn. These include calls to avoid slandering the Jews of Judea and Samaria, cautious support for cooperation with Evangelicals, and measures to ease the financial crisis.

The OU is the educational, outreach and social service organization which serves the North American Jewish Orthodox community. 

Other resolutions deal with the centrality of Jerusalem, Jewish education, the stringent conditions under which a Palestinian government would be recognized, green initiatives, and Iran.

The resolutions are expected to be approved at the upcoming OU Convention in Jerusalem, scheduled for Nov. 26-30 of this year.

Civil Discourse
One resolution calls for "civil discourse" in the public debate over critical issues, and specifically states that the OU will "speak out against efforts to slander all the inhabitants of Yehuda (Judea) and Shomron (Samaria) because of the inappropriate language and actions of a small minority."

The resolution appears to be tailor-designed as a response to the words of outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other government ministers following the destruction of the Federman/Tor family farm last week. After two incensed residents cursed the soldiers who perpetrated the middle-of-the-night destruction and eviction of the families, including small children, Olmert said, "We are sick of all this violence, verbal violence that brings to physical violence... I expect to hear from the Defense Minister and Justice Minister what is to be done against these people..."

Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said, "I am disgusted by the incitement expressed by extremist elements in the territories against IDF soldiers and security forces. We will act firmly to uproot this phenomenon. I call on the Attorney General and Israel Police to use all necessary means to deal with this." Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, "I want to emphasize the gravity of the words and actions of the extreme right-wing in the territories. I am of the opinion that the punishments in this matter are too soft, and the law enforcment and legal bodies must [rectify this]." 

Barak later said that measures such as administrative dention - arrest and detention without due process - should be used against Jews in Judea and Samaria more widely than has been done until now.

Jerusalem - Center of Jewish People
The OU also had something to say about Jerusalem, in light of the negotiations with the Palestinian Authority: "Yerushalayim must forever remain the spiritual, cultural and political center of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and the OU is mandated to undertake all efforts that are necessary to secure and maintain Yerushalayim as the eternal and undivided capital of the State of Israel. The OU is further mandated to oppose any proposal or plan to relinquish any part of Yerushalayim to any foreign authority."

Evangelicals: Respect and Suspect Them
Regarding the 60 million Evangelical Christians in the United States, the OU's message was complex. It "gratefully acknowledges the relationship we have forged with many Evangelical Christian leaders, institutions and people in support of many values and interests we share... [M]any leading Evangelical Christians and their communities have vigorously supported religious liberty and rights of conscience for people of many varied faiths, and have joined us in promoting a proper understanding of the First Amendment which insists upon neutrality toward religion in government programs... [W]e appreciate the Evangelical community’s support of the State of Israel with a united undivided Jerusalem as its capital..."

On the other hand, "The Orthodox Union is acutely aware of the desire of Evangelical Christians to spread their religion to Jews as a matter of faith. We remain vigilant to the dangers this presents to Jewish continuity and will be forthright in sharing our concerns in this area with other groups when this issue arises."

PA and Ecology
The OU conditions U.S. and Israel financial support or diplomatic recognition to a Palestinian government on the following: The PA must explicitly recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state, renounce violence, agree to honor all past agreements with Israel, and concretely demonstrate its capacity to dismantle terrorist infrastructures and eliminate educational programs which incite hostility to Israelis and Jews.

The OU also speaks out ecologically, encouraging "responsible environmental behavior while being mindful of limited communal financial resources," such as recycling and paper reduction. The OU also resolves to "encourage and support appropriate government efforts to decrease our dependence on foreign oil."

Money Crisis
Addressing the worldwide financial crisis, the OU resolves to "support governmental and private initiatives to address this crisis," and will "provide available resources to aid our communal institutions and ensure that our constituents remain viable." Reinforcing the cardinal Jewish principle of giving charity, the OU "will facilitate and encourage all individuals to contribute financially as well as volunteer their time and resources to assist those less fortunate."

Finally, the OU will "ensure that measures taken to address the crisis preserve opportunities for home ownership for Americans of modest incomes. Homeownership is central to family and community stability, and family and community are central to Jewish values and the Jewish (and American) way of life."