[ ]J Street[ ]
Presidents’ Day. 

I’ve always had the deepest respect for the institution of the Presidency
– working at the White House was the honor of a lifetime.

Our best Presidents have defended our freedoms, protected our rights and
sought to bring our country ever closer to a more perfect union. 

28 days into this particular presidency, however, celebrating the current
state of the presidency feels a bit like a cruel joke. 

I’m writing to you from Israel, where our allies here in the pro-democracy
camp have spent the better part of two years protesting their own
antidemocratic judicial coup against a leader only out for himself.

The challenges to democracy in Israel – to the separation of powers, the
rule of law, the principle of equality for all – echo those we now face in
the United States. They are, in fact, challenges that countries around the
world are facing as demagogues use fear to build power and undermine the
foundations of liberal democracy.

We are in the fight of our lives for the future of both countries. A fight
that will take smarts and determination; effective strategy and compelling
messaging. 

The crisis is severe. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are tearing through our
government, using conspiracy theories and culture wars as a pretext to
bulldoze programs that millions rely on. Illegally shuttering agencies
built up before them by Presidents and leaders in Congress of far greater
principles and integrity.

And now JD Vance – when he’s not palling around with far-right populists
in Europe – is openly daring the courts to try to stop them. Last week, he
signaled a willingness to defy court rulings outright in a brazen attempt
to intimidate courts into submission with the threat of a full-blown
constitutional breakdown. 

It’s infuriating to see the power of the presidency being used and abused
by billionaires to enrich themselves and their friends at the expense of
those they claim to fight for.

This Presidents’ Day, I am pleased to reaffirm J Street’s full commitment
to the fight for democracy and for our values – both in the US and in
Israel. 

We will lock arms with the broad coalition needed to fight back – inside
and outside of Congress – with urgency and clarity. 

As Jewish Americans, we know better than most that we cannot take the
liberal democratic order other leaders have defended for granted. We
cannot take our freedoms as a given. Not when we see this President
challenging core elements of our constitutional system, pardoning
far-right militia leaders, and rounding up immigrants. A “wait and see”
approach isn’t good enough. 

I’ve spoken before about my dismay that too many leaders of the so-called
“organized Jewish community” aren’t taking the threats we face seriously –
bringing what seems at times greater energy to fighting lefty academics
and students than the early-stage fascism rearing its ugly head in the
halls of power in Washington.

We on 'Team Democracy' need to rally and organize and act – now – because
here’s the truth about Presidents’ Day: Those leaders we honor today who
did defend freedom, protect democracy and bring us to that more perfect
union – none of them did it alone. 

Behind every leader there has been a movement of people driven by their
values who have made it possible – from the abolitionists to the
suffragists, Freedom Riders to Stonewall rioters, anti-war activists to
labor unions. 

So this Presidents’ Day, let’s recommit to the pro-democracy fight ahead –
a battle that will take place in the halls of Congress and in the courts
and, before we know it, at the ballot box. 

In the coming weeks, J Street will be rallying our movement to lead the
fight on our core issues – against a US role in displacing Gazan civilians
or cutting critical foreign assistance or starting a war with Iran – and
we’ll support broader coalitions on issues we care about, from refugee
support to immigrant rights and civil rights to the foundational pillars
of our democracy. 

In the meantime, please consider taking 15 minutes this week in honor of
those who have fought for our democracy before, and contact your
Representatives and Senators directly – Democrats and Republicans – to let
them know you expect them to fight for our future. 

We will persevere when we stand together, and I’m so thankful to have you
with us in the fight. 

Yours, 

Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, 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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