Friend --
Last week, encouraged by President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu dealt a severe blow to the shared democratic values at the heart of the US-Israel relationship when he banned two US Congresswomen -- Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar -- from visiting Israel and the West Bank.
Shortly after, the US Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, issued an official statement applauding the decision and attacking the two congresswomen, all under the seal of the US State Department.
At J Street, we want to make something crystal clear: It is unprecedented and outrageous for an American ambassador to cheer the ban of two duly elected US representatives from visiting an allied country.
Congress cannot tolerate Ambassador Friedman’s weaponization of his diplomatic post to advance his own partisan politics and far-right agenda.
Tell your members of Congress to take action to hold Ambassador Friedman to account >>
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision -- and the ambassador’s support for it -- erodes the bipartisan foundation of the US-Israel relationship and the democratic values we share.
But we’re not surprised -- the ambassador has a long track record of using his position to promote the priorities of the settlement movement and to attack his political opponents. Over the past two years, he has:
- Said that Israel has the right to annex parts of the West Bank
- Pressured the State Department to stop using the word “occupation”
- Participated as a guest of honor in events led by the settlement movement
- Told press to “keep your mouths shut” about Israel’s use of force against protesters in Gaza
- Told a journalist “there’s no question Republicans support Israel more than Democrats”
Again and again, Friedman has used his post to promote creeping annexation, excuse the occupation and launch partisan attacks.
It’s time for Congress to say that enough is enough.
Urge your members of Congress to support measures that hold Friedman to account for his outrageous conduct.
Thank you,
Kyle Fradkin,
Assistant Director of Government Affairs
P.S. If you’re outraged by the actions of Friedman, Netanyahu and Trump and want to be a part of the movement fighting back for democratic values in the US and in Israel, please join us at J Street's National Conference, October 26-29 in Washington, DC. Your presence will help our movement stand up for diplomacy, equality and the pursuit of peace. You can register here and use code “BETHERE” at checkout to receive 20% off your ticket fee.
