[ ]J Street [ ]
Friend,

We’ve seen a series of extremely concerning events in Israel and the
occupied Palestinian Territory over the past week – including a deadly
terror attack, a violent settler pogrom, dramatic moves to expand
settlements, and new plans by Netanyahu to advance the anti-democratic
judicial overhaul:

* On Sunday, the Netanyahu government announced it would accelerate the
settlement construction process and approve another 4,500 settlement
units on Palestinian territory. The Biden administration said it was
“deeply troubled” by the decision.
* Prime Minister Netanyahu also said his government will “begin the
practical steps” to press forward with his judicial ‘reform’ agenda.
Mass pro-democracy protests against the plan continued into their
fifth month over the weekend.
* On Monday, there was intensive violence in the West Bank city of Jenin
during a major IDF operation. During an exchange of fire between the
IDF and Palestinian militants, six Palestinians were killed, including
two 14-year-olds. 91 Palestinians were wounded along with seven
members of Israeli security forces.
* On Tuesday, near the West Bank settlement of Eli, two Palestinian
gunmen launched a terror attack killing four Israelis, including two
17-year-olds.
* Late Tuesday night, dozens of Israeli settlers descended on a West
Bank village north of Ramallah, torching businesses, cars and homes
while families hid in fear. Israeli security forces were present but
failed to stop the violence and have not yet held any perpetrators
accountable. Settlers launched several other attacks on Palestinian
civilians and property across the West Bank, claiming retribution for
the Eli terror attack.

Friend, this is a deeply alarming moment for anyone who cares
about Israel’s safe, democratic future and the rights of all people to
live freely and raise their families in peace.

Time and time again, in incident after incident, we are seeing callous and
violent religious and nationalist extremists push the situation in
precisely the wrong direction. Choosing retribution instead of safety.
Impunity instead of accountability. Brutality instead of humanity.
Escalation instead of peace.

They are pushing us toward a one-state nightmare, spelling disaster for
Israeli democracy and catastrophe for the safety and freedom of every
Israeli and every Palestinian.

As the situation continues to spiral, much stronger leadership from the
Biden Administration is urgently needed.

At J Street, we represent the overwhelming majority of American Jews who
know that truly standing up for the safety of Israelis means working to
peacefully resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and to end the
unjust, deteriorating status quo of endless occupation.

The US must firmly and truthfully confront the forces driving this
conflict. We must pursue real accountability to prevent spiraling
violence. We cannot take a “hands off” approach – and risk the outbreak of
another massive escalation, more violence and suffering, and permanent
damage to Israeli democracy.

In Washington, DC and in communities across the country, J Street is
continuing to make the stakes clear, to organize for change, and to lobby
for strong, credible US action to protect lives and stop this spiral
toward more violence, chaos and injustice.

At times like these, we’re more grateful than ever for all of the
supporters who make up our growing pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy
movement.

Thank you for being with us,

Adina Vogel Ayalon
Chief of Staff, J Street

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J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy
Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the
Jewish people. Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we
advocate policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish
and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.



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