Dear Friend,

Between the Democratic primary contests and the third Israeli election,
it’s been a tumultuous few weeks in politics for both Israelis and
Americans. At the same time, we know there is also growing anxiety across
the world over the COVID-19 virus -- including in the American Jewish
community and in Israel/Palestine -- and that this is a very challenging
time for all those who are dealing with or preparing to face its impact.

In the coming months, J Street will be taking all precautions we can to
ensure the well-being of our staff and all those who engage with us in our
work and encouraging all our supporters to do the same. As our thoughts
and best wishes go out to all those most affected, we will continue to
take on our vital mission.

With Israeli voters once again arriving at political deadlock, it’s still
uncertain what the country’s next government will look like. But we know
that no matter what, Netanyahu will remain in power for at least a while
longer. As long as he’s still in the top job and Donald Trump is still in
the White House, there is a very high likelihood that Israel will proceed
with some form of West Bank annexation in the weeks ahead -- as the
settlement movement refuses to miss out on a limited window of opportunity
to carry out its long-time goal.

At J Street, we’re sounding the alarm -- mobilizing powerful opposition to
annexation, support for diplomacy and commitment to Israel’s future as a
democratic homeland for the Jewish people. As the Democratic field
consolidates after Super Tuesday, we’re making clear that we’ll do all
that we can to support the eventual nominee against Trump. And we’re
working with campaigns and allies across Congress and the Jewish community
to ensure that the next president is prepared to oppose occupation and
lead a renewed push for real peace.

We know that we face a real challenge from those who still aim to
perpetuate a dangerous status quo. At the AIPAC conference, Vice President
Mike Pence earned a standing ovation after calling for Trump’s reelection
and praising the legitimization of illegal West Bank settlements. But we
know that the vast majority of American Jews totally reject these views --
and share our Jewish and democratic values.

Standing together, our movement can help pave the way for a very
different, brighter future.

Logan Bayroff
Communications Director

Around J Street

Platform campaign gathers steam

[1]Students rallying for the change the platform campaign
In the lead up to this year’s Democratic National Convention in July, J
Street and J Street U’s #ChangeThePlatform campaign continues to gather
steam. The campaign urges the Democratic party to ensure that the next
party platform recognizes the importance of Palestinian rights alongside
support for Israel’s security, and includes clear opposition to
annexation, ongoing occupation and settlement expansion.

This week, we announced that over 230 Jewish clergy and communal leaders
have signed on to a public letter in support of these changes. Across the
country, local chapters of the College Democrats have voted to formally
endorse J Street’s platform campaign at campuses including George
Washington University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins, Oregon State,
Princeton, the University of Indiana, the University of Michigan and the
University of Washington. In the crucial swing state of Florida, the
statewide federation of the College Democrats has endorsed the campaign,
noting that “we believe the Democratic Party should represent the voice of
young people, which is why we are pushing the DNC to specifically include
language condemning the occupation, annexation and settlement expansion in
the 2020 party platform.”

The campaign has also been formally endorsed by the Democratic parties of
King County, Washington and Yolo County, California. We’re expecting more
announcements and endorsements in the coming weeks, and we'd like yours
too. Please add your name to endorse the campaign!
[ [link removed] ]Add your name →

Taking On Trump and transforming US politics on Israel

[3]VP Biden and Senator Sanders at past J Street conferences
With Super Tuesday behind us and the field of Democratic nominees down to
two, J Street remains focused on our top priorities for 2020. Our first
priority, through our political work and fundraising, is to do everything
we can to defeat Donald Trump and elect pro-diplomacy majorities in both
houses of Congress. Second, we are focused on ensuring the next president
enters the Oval Office with a clear mandate to oppose the occupation, undo
the damage caused by president Trump and to set the conditions for a just,
viable and lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

To do that, we continue to work with presidential candidates, members of
Congress, political advisors and pundits to make clear that
diplomacy-first policies are not only pragmatic, but popular and
politically effective. Our work is making an impact -- and others are
taking notice.

“No other Israel-related gathering over the last year and a half has
garnered as much attention from the 2020 Democrats [as the J Street
Conference],” The Times of Israel noted in an interview with J Street
President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “J Street, it appears, is playing an outsized
role in setting the agenda on Middle East policy in this year’s Democratic
primary.”

We’re proud of our success, but our work is far from done. J Street has committed
to raising $1 million for the eventual nominee, and thanks to the amazing
energy of our supporters, we’re well on our way. To learn more about the
nominee fund and our other political work, you’ll need to become a member
of J Street (it’s free!). [ [link removed] ]You can become a member here.

Dive deeper into Israel’s election results -- and what they mean for the future

[6]Netanyahu talking about annexation
Israel’s unprecedented third election in under a year once again resulted
in political deadlock. What initially looked like a strong night for the
embattled Prime Minister Netanyahu turned into much more of a mixed bag.
Even after a campaign filled with vitriol and bigotry designed to rile up
and unite his right-wing base, Netanyahu was left without a majority for
his right-wing bloc and without a clear path to forming a government. That
was thanks in large part to the historic success of the majority-Arab
Joint List, which won a record 15 seats on the strength of very high voter
turnout. Now we once again wait to see which parties, if any, will make
the compromises necessary to form a governing coalition. In the meantime,
Netanyahu awaits trial -- and continues to work with the Trump
administration to coordinate steps toward annexation in the West Bank.

On Thursday, J Street’s Israel Director Yael Patir held a briefing call
with former Zionist Union MK Ksenia Svetlova to discuss the results, their
implications and where negotiations are likely to go from here.
[ [link removed] ]Watch the briefing →

“Our Israel”: Kav LaOved

[8]A Kav LaOved info-session
This year, J Street officially launched Our Israel, an initiative to
spotlight amazing Israeli organizations and individuals who share our
values and who struggle, as we do in the United States, to build and
preserve a liberal, democratic society underpinned by the principles of
equality, freedom, justice and peace. Over the past few months, we’ve
spoken with inspiring, impactful groups including Hand in Hand, Gisha and
Standing Together.

This month, we spoke with Adi Maoz, the Executive Director of Kav LaOved.
Since 1991, Kav LaOved has fought to protect the rights of disadvantaged
Israeli, Palestinian and migrant workers. Their vision is an Israeli
society in which workers -- regardless of nationality, gender, religion or
legal status -- are respected, valued and have their rights protected.
[ [link removed] ]Read the profile →

Time is running out to vote in the World Zionist Congress elections

[10]Hatikvah
This is the final week to cast your vote to support our progressive
HATIKVAH Slate in the World Zionist Congress elections. Voting ends on
March 11.

Bringing together leaders from J Street, New Israel Fund, T’ruah and other
allied organizations, the HATIKVAH Slate is running on a platform of
social justice, democratic rights for all Israeli citizens and an end to
the occupation.

We know many of our supporters are backing slates affiliated with their
congregations, including ARZA and MERCAZ. What’s most important is that
Jewish progressives make sure their values are represented at the WZO by
voting in this election.

That’s because the WZC oversees the distribution of one billion dollars
annually and is one of the best opportunities for Jewish Americans to
impact what happens in Israel and beyond the Green Line. With a strong
showing, we have a chance to block sources of funding for settlement
expansion and bring greater transparency to Israel’s activities in the
West Bank.

Note: There is a registration fee of $7.50 which covers the cost of the
election.
[ [link removed] ]Learn more and vote →

Must Reads
Washington Post
[12]Voters With vote counting finished, five ways Israel could finally get
a government
[ [link removed] ]Read more →
Vox
[14]Netanyahu The war on Israeli democracy
[ [link removed] ]Read more →
[16]Jeremy Times of Israel
Ben-Ami Has J Street become US Jewry’s Democratic kingmaker on Israel?
[ [link removed] ]Read more →
[ [link removed] ]Donate →

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[2]Street Talk Logo
© 2020 J Street | [ [link removed] ]www.jstreet.org | [email protected]

J Street is the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace 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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