Dear John,

It is because of your support that Ameinu made a difference last week in Israel.

I was honored to be the leader of the Brit Etz-World Labour Zionist Union delegation at the World Zionist Congress that was held last week. If you heard about it, that means that we did our job.


Brit Etz delegates were joined together from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As was done before, Ameinu ran a combined slate with Habonim-Dror and our friends in Partners for Progressive Israel and Hashomer Hatzair to form the Hatikvah slate. Our Progressive Israel Network family strengthened the slate of strong progressive activists.

 

So as to avoid disagreement and portray a face of unity on the occasion of Israel’s 75th Independence Day, a proposal was made that no resolutions be presented at this Congress. The extremely dangerous platform of the current government does not leave us that option. Though resolutions were ultimately included, we at Ameinu knew that more was required than just debate within the hall.  

We proceeded to organize a demonstration with 250 people representing 10 slates from over 12 countries and marched from the Convention Center to the Supreme Court. Our strong and ever-growing network of Israeli organizations strengthened our march. UnXeptable and Brothers and Sisters in Arms provided us with flags and t-shirts; thank you! It was truly empowering for us and the Israelis to work as one. The momentum from the demonstration energized this strong and diverse Israeli nexus to come together and demonstrate in front of the joint Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly/WZO celebration. Our combined pressure pushed Bibi to cancel his speech!   

In our committee work, we succeeded in passing all the resolutions of the center-left:

  • Against judicial reform

  • Supporting conversion for all religious streams

  • Promoting LGBTQ+ work (including WZO celebrating Pride Week)

  • Increasing the percentage of female delegates to the Congress to forty percent

  • Opposing amendment of the law of return to impact grandchildren, and

  • Demanding that WZO not carry out activities that contradict the values of the Declaration of Independence. 

We sent a message to the Israeli government that the majority of Jews throughout the world do not support this extreme right-wing government.

Feeling threatened by our success, the Right forced a postponement of these resolutions in person. However, we look forward to our success in the coming weeks when voting online.


Ameinu needs your ongoing support to fight for Israel’s democracy! Your membership will enable us to continue the work invigorated by our accomplishments at the Congress.


Last week we celebrated the miracle of the creation of the State of Israel. On the eve of Yom Ha’aatzmaut, I was on Kaplan Street, the site of demonstrations for the last 17 weeks. But on this occasion, we came together to celebrate and fight for Israel's future. I arrived in Israel with concern, but in the midst of upheaval, I left with tikvah - hope.


Israel’s Declaration of Independence says the State “will be based on freedom, justice and peace” and “will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.” In these critical times, to persist in making this a reality requires your support like never before. Thank you for your continued commitment and generosity.


B’shalom,

  

Ameinu's Vice President Nomi Colton-Max with Ameinu's board members Kobi Cohen and Zach Shartiag at a protest on Kaplan Street, Tel Aviv.

Nomi Colton-Max, Vice-President

P.S. Please pay your membership dues now and say NO to the Israeli government’s neutering of the Supreme Court.

Ameinu Our People | 17 State St Suite 4000, New York, NY 10004 | ameinu.net | 212-366-1194

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