[ [link removed] ] [ [link removed] ]J Street[ [link removed] ]
Friends,

Well over a decade ago, I wrote that the large, legacy institutions of
American Jewish life – AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and others
– were veering off course.

Applying an out-of-date rulebook that demanded support for the Israeli
government no matter what, they argued that criticism of Israeli policy
was anti-Israel or antisemitic. In doing so, many established groups no
longer spoke for a broad swath of Jewish Americans.

I predicted that “new institutions, with new rules and having different
approaches, views and policies” would inevitably emerge to challenge the
old guard’s claim to speak for the whole community.

That’s why we started J Street – because those institutions no longer
spoke for many of us. Together, our goal is to represent the mainstream of
Jewish America: Those who care deeply about Israel, but disagree
vehemently with its current government.

[ [link removed] ]If you agree that our community urgently needs a new generation of
leadership that speaks for our values and priorities, I hope you’ll
consider supporting J Street.

In recent years, we’ve witnessed the Netanyahu government’s assault on
Israel’s democratic institutions and relentless pursuit of permanent
control over the West Bank. We saw how this same right-wing government let
down Israel’s guard before October 7 and conducted the subsequent war in
ways that violate core democratic and Jewish values.

Through it all, AIPAC continued to back the Netanyahu/Smotrich/Ben-Gvir
government without question, while spending tens of millions of dollars
targeting politicians who dared to criticize Netanyahu. They’ve funneled
millions into campaigns of more than 100 MAGA politicians who voted to
overturn the 2020 election results on January 6. 

Meanwhile, the ADL, which once helped lead the broad fight for civil
rights and against racism and hate, now is quick to label many who
criticize Israeli policies as “antisemitic.” This alienates natural allies
and weakens the struggle against real antisemitism. 

I’ve been especially troubled to see the organization minimize incidents
involving Elon Musk and Donald Trump, and even recently remove the entire
“Protect Civil Rights” section from its website.

This pick-and-choose approach has allowed some on the American right to
weaponize charges of antisemitism as a pretext for ideological attacks on
higher education, immigration and the rule of law – with little pushback
from organizations meant to be representing our values.

Some rabbis and communal leaders are speaking out with clarity and
courage. But not enough.

I’m deeply proud that J Street has given voice and support to those who
both love Israel and remain committed to democracy, security and human
rights for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

If you believe that too, then we are the voice that speaks for you.

[ [link removed] ]If you believe this work is essential, please help fund it. We can only
win in Washington and across this country if we work together. Join us in
ensuring there is a strong pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy voice
shaping American policy in 2025 and beyond by supporting J Street today.

Together, let’s be the new voice for Israel that our community – and our
future – demands.

Gratefully yours,

Jeremy

P.S. We won’t win the future by defending the old rulebook. We’ll win it
by insisting that our values – democracy, equality, human dignity – apply
to everyone. [ [link removed] ]If you agree, please make a gift to J Street today.


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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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