Dear Friend,

Over these past few months, in Israel, the US and around the world, the
COVID-19 pandemic has cruelly robbed thousands of families of their loved
ones. Millions have found themselves isolated from their friends and
support networks -- and in too many cases, without work, healthcare or the
support they deserve.

At J Street, we see this as a moment which calls for solidarity,
compassion and the resolve to hold our community together. It’s also a
time when our own work -- confronting the reckless agenda of Trump and
Netanyahu and laying the groundwork for a bold new era of American
diplomacy -- has never been more important.

In April, as part of our movement’s commitment to do everything in our
power to defeat Trump at the polls, we were excited to officially endorse
Joe Biden for president -- and to receive his enthusiastic welcome of our
endorsement. And while working to help both Biden and our pro-Israel,
pro-peace congressional endorsees win in November, we’re also confronting
the very real threat that the Israeli government could begin unilateral
annexation in the West Bank -- with Trump’s rubber stamp -- as early as
July 1.

J Street is leading the mobilization of lawmakers and political leaders to
help speak out and stop this disaster -- and to make clear that if
annexation moves forward, it would have serious and damaging consequences
for the US-Israel relationship.

Friend, we may be living in unprecedented times, but standing
together we can still fight for our Jewish and democratic values and forge
a path to a better future. From all of us at J Street -- working from our
homes in cities across the country and around the world -- I want to wish
good health and safety to you and yours, and thank you for being a part of
this movement.

Logan Bayroff
Communications Director

Around J Street

J Street urges American leaders to outline clear opposition to annexation

[1]Stop Annexation
J Street is proud to be a leading voice in rallying opposition to
annexation and spreading awareness about its destructive potential impact.
In doing so we represent the views and values of the majority of American
Jews who are committed to Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the
Jewish people, oppose the extremist Trump-Netanyahu agenda and refuse to
accept an action that would relegate millions of Palestinians to
indefinite military rule without civil rights or any hope of
self-determination.

With just under 60 days until the Israeli government can begin to move
forward on annexation, we must ensure American lawmakers and leaders make
clear that annexation would be disastrous for Israelis, Palestinians and
the US-Israel relationship -- and that it would lead to real consequences.
We’ve outlined several clear, concrete messages our leaders need to send
before it’s too late:

* American taxpayers won’t foot the bill for annexation;
* The next administration will not provide diplomatic cover for
annexation in international fora;
* Additional measures will be considered to ensure the United States is
not enabling annexation and to reaffirm America’s commitment to a just
and sustainable two-state solution.

With our new [ [link removed] ]Stop Annexation resource hub, we’re providing
opportunities to take action, sharing important information on the threat
of annexation and highlighting the overwhelming number of Israeli and
American security leaders who are opposed to it. And as part of our “J
Stream” series of exciting and timely webinars, we’re hosting briefings
exploring all of annexation’s potential fallout.

In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll call on you to make sure your
representatives are doing all they can to push back on annexation.
[ [link removed] ]Visit our Resource Hub →

Joe Biden enthusiastically welcomes J Street endorsement

[4]Biden at J Street
This April, J Street was proud to announce our first-ever endorsement for
President of the United States, and to see it [ [link removed] ]enthusiastically welcomed
by the nominee:

“I’m honored to have earned J Street’s first-ever presidential
endorsement,” said Vice President Biden. "J Street has been a powerful
voice to advance social justice here at home, and to advocate for a
two-state solution that advances Middle East Peace. I share with J
Street’s membership an unyielding dedication to the survival and security
of Israel, and an equal commitment to creating a future of peace and
opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian children alike. That’s what we
have to keep working toward—and what I’ll do as President with J Street’s
support.”
It was a moment which “represents something much larger” for J Street than
just an endorsement, Ron Kampeas [ [link removed] ]wrote for JTA. “[It represents] a
consolidation of the group’s influence among mainstream Democrats.”

In this election the stakes could not be higher and the choice could not
be starker. While Trump has been a cheerleader for annexation, Biden has
long championed a viable two-state solution and spoken out against
annexation and settlement expansion. A fierce advocate for strong
diplomacy and for the JCPOA, Biden has pledged to reverse the president’s
disastrous Iran policy and rejoin the Iran nuclear agreement. And as he
told our conference in 2016, he knows there is no contradiction between
being progressive and being pro-Israel.

[ [link removed] ]Read J Street’s full endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the
United States >>

As part of our plan to make a major impact in November, we're planning to
launch our largest-ever electoral mobilization, using cutting-edge virtual
tools to help educate voters and get the word out for our endorsed
candidates across the country.

If you're interested in getting involved,
[ [link removed] ]please become a J Street member today! Membership is free and it only
takes a few seconds to sign up.

Help support J Street on #GivingTuesdayNow

[ [link removed] ]GivingTuesdayNow
In response to the unprecedented financial challenges facing organizations
like J Street in this moment, May 5 has been designated as a special day
of global giving. It’s called #GivingTuesdayNow. A J Street donor has
offered to match all gifts that come in between now and the end of
GivingTuesdayNow, up to a total of $50,000. With the clock ticking on
annexation and the most important election of our lives just months away,
I hope you’ll consider a gift to support our work.
[ [link removed] ]Double your impact →

Staying connected through J Stream

[12]J Stream
Shortly after entering this new era of social distancing and isolation, we
launched J Stream, a new online portal hosting webinars and content
designed to keep our movement connected, informed and engaged at this
critical moment. We’re proud that already, thousands of J Street
supporters -- along with leading members of Congress, activists and
experts from the region and around the country -- have joined us online
for discussions, training sessions and virtual events.

Over the next week, we’ll be hosting briefings on the pandemic’s impact on
Palestinian refugees, a discussion with Rep. Deb Haaland on its effects on
native communities in the US and more. [ [link removed] ]To join us, visit the J Stream
hub and register to participate (and don’t forget to check for new updates
every week).

If you want to catch up on a session you missed, we’ve got you covered.
The J Stream website hosts links to past video sessions, including:

* J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami’s ‘Conflict 101’ presentation
* Our discussion with Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Andy Levin on Capitol
Hill’s response to the COVID-19 crisis
* The Legal Impact of Annexation with Michael Sfard
* The Israeli Opposition Fights Back with MK Yair Golan
* US Sanctions Impact on Iran’s COVID-19 Catastrophe with Senator Chris
Murphy

[ [link removed] ]Visit J Stream →

Our Israel: The Israeli NGOs making sure no one is left behind

[15]J Stream
Around the world, COVID-19 is posing an acute threat to society's most
vulnerable communities. And around the world, civil society groups are
stepping up to advocate and care for those in need. But it’s a battle many
organizations are facing alongside growing budgetary pressure and
increased uncertainty.

In a special installment of ‘Our Israel’, J Street spoke with leading
Israeli advocates and organizers about how the COVID-19 crisis has
impacted their communities, their work and the focus of their advocacy.
From the Hand in Hand integrated school network to the Worker’s Hotline,
from Gisha to the Israel Women’s Network, each group had powerful,
inspiring stories to tell of how they’re stepping up to meet the moment
and making sure no one is left behind.
[ [link removed] ]Read this special Our Israel profile →

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© 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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