NEW YORK, NY – At its January meetings in West Palm Beach, FL, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, adopted three policy statements: “Fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment at the United Nations,” “Affirming Support for Stabilizing Emergency Care” and “Support for Science and Evidence-Based Policymaking.”
“Building upon our legacy of strong advocacy, Hadassah leaders and members continue to stand up for Israel at the United Nations and to make our voices heard in Washington, DC, in the halls of Congress and in state capitals across the country, advancing the US-Israel relationship, combating rising antisemitism and improving women’s health,” said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President. “Our three new policy statements affirm these Hadassah priorities and demonstrate that we will continue to advocate to secure needed reform at every level of government.”
“Hadassah’s new policy statements guide our advocacy as we respond to the emerging issues facing our nation, Israel and the world,” said Ellen Finkelstein, CEO. “We are proud of our relentlessness in fighting antisemitism and championing women’s and public health.”
Fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment at the UN – Following Hamas’ attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, the UN failed to secure the release of the hostages and refused to hold the terrorist organization accountable for its crimes against humanity. In the wake of dangerous and biased Palestinian-led resolutions attempting to delegitimize and isolate Israel and strip the Jewish state of its right to self-defense, and in the face of an acute rise in global antisemitism, Hadassah has adopted the policy statement “Fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment at the United Nations.” Hadassah will continue its efforts to combat antisemitism at the UN and elsewhere and will work with US policymakers and leaders of foreign governments to take independent action to hold Hamas accountable for its acts of terrorism.
Supporting Stabilizing Emergency Care – Since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022, there has been a dangerous national rise in policies that restrict access to emergency care and place pregnant individuals’ lives in danger. Hadassah’s new policy statement “Affirming Support for Stabilizing Emergency Care” demonstrates the organization’s continued commitment to protecting access to the full continuum of reproductive care, including stabilizing emergency treatments like abortion; the health care professionals who provide such care; and the right to bodily autonomy.
Supporting Science-Based Policymaking – In its new policy statement “Support for Science and Evidence-Based Policymaking,” Hadassah recognizes that science must be the foundation of all health policies and that federal funding for basic science and efforts to translate research into practical applications is vital. As the owner of the Hadassah Medical Organization, a leading hospital system in Israel, Hadassah is committed to promoting the work of health experts, professionals and resources that advance policies based on proven science, and to speaking out against efforts to undermine medical providers.
Read Hadassah’s policy statements: “Fighting Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Sentiment at the United Nations,” “Affirming Support for Stabilizing Emergency Care” and “Support for Science and Evidence-Based Policymaking.”