A group of European Jews who signed last year an appeal for peace in the Middle East, called on Israel "not to be afraid" and "reach out to democratic movements that have shaken the Arab world".
A statement issued by JCall reads: "Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya : the Arab world is in a turmoil. Two authoritarian regimes have already fallen and others may follow. Faced with this unstable situation, Israeli public opinion as well as many Jews in the Diaspora seem paralyzed. They fear the leap into the unknown, the rise of Islamic movements and fanatics to power."
"To these fears, JCall answers borrowing John-Paul II’s words : Let us not be afraid !. There is hope to be found in the events taking place in the Arab world," the statement added, stressing that the transition governments in Tunis and Cairo "are first and foremost preoccupied with their people’s well-being and are not warmongers."
Israel is following with concern the situation in the Arab world and particularly in Egypt, a key partner with which it signed a peace treaty in 1979. Israelis fear to find themselves surrounded by hostile nations.
"Evidently, dangers exist, as events unfold. But the worst would be not to do anything. It is time for Israel to make a gesture towards the democratic uprising that is shaking the Arab world and seek ways to peace," the group said.
The JCall or "European Jewish Call for Reason" was launched in May 2010 in Brussels as a group of European Jews "who wish to differentiate themselves from the all-too-often unconditional support of Israeli policies" by other organizations which represent European Jewish communities