A group of modern Orthodox Jews is hosting a conference critical of Israel
By: Yonat Shimron
Religion News Service, March 27, 2025
(RNS) — Orthodox Judaism, both in the United States and Israel, has typically espoused a right-wing political orientation and unconditional support for Israel. However, some have evolving views.
The conference is a noteworthy turn. Orthodox Judaism, both in the United States and Israel, has typically espoused a right-wing political orientation that includes unconditional support for Israel. Orthodox and Haredi Jews in the U.S. generally stand apart from the majority of the American Jewish community in their support for President Donald Trump and his policies regarding Israel. Five of the six parties that make up Israel’s government are either Orthodox or religious Zionist.
But the ongoing war in Gaza has produced a challenge to that status quo. David Myers, a history professor at University of California, Los Angeles, who has spoken at the salon and will speak at the conference, called it a kind of “coming out party.”
