Dear Friend,

President Trump’s chaotic performance at last week’s presidential debate
-- yes, it was only last week -- has reinforced the urgency of our work in
the weeks ahead.

Whether it be his embrace of white nationalists, his disastrous foreign
policy, or his negligent response to the pandemic, President Trump has
repeatedly demonstrated why he is a danger to our community, to our
country and the basic fabric of our democracy. At J Street, we believe
there can be no greater priority than defeating Trump this November.

We’re proud to be leading our community in rallying the resources, energy
and volunteers needed to defeat this administration and to win pro-Israel,
pro-peace majorities in both the House and the Senate. Through JStreetPAC,
our movement has now raised over $6.5 million for diplomacy-first House
and Senate endorsees, as well as over $2 million directly for the
Biden-Harris campaign. In September, we were honored to host Vice
President Biden himself for a virtual campaign reception to discuss his
vision for restoring American leadership and promoting genuine
Israeli-Palestinian peace.

With the president continuing to embrace his most dangerous and violent
supporters, [ [link removed] ]we joined with over two dozen Jewish groups to jointly
denounce white supremacy and far-right extremism.We’re deepening our
community’s alliances with and support for refugee, immigrant and racial
justice advocates. And as Trump signals that he may refuse to accept
defeat at the ballot box, we’ve proudly joined the "Save the Vote"
coalition of advocacy organizations working to ensure a free, fair and
safe election, and an orderly transition of power.

At this absolutely critical moment in our history, thank you for standing
with our movement.

Logan Bayroff
Director of Communications

Around J Street

J Street holds reception with Democratic nominee Joe Biden

[2]Joe Biden
J Street was proud to host Vice President Joe Biden for an exclusive
reception this September. In his remarks and a Q&A with J Street
leadership, the Democratic nominee shared his appreciation for our
community’s support, criticized the damage done by the Trump-Netanyahu
agenda and outlined his vision for a resolution to deliver peace, dignity
and security to Israelis and Palestinians.

“I’ve made clear that I’m going to oppose annexation as president,”
[ [link removed] ]Biden told attendees. “A two-state solution is the only way to ensure
Israel’s long-term security while sustaining its Jewish and democratic
identity. I don’t know how they do it without a two-state solution. And
it’s also the only way to ensure Palestinian rights to a state of their
own.”


[ [link removed] ]Register now to become a member so you don’t miss future PAC events.


Join us on J Stream

[6]Upcoming J Stream
After a short break for the holidays, we're back this week with some
exciting J Stream programming. Join us on Tuesday at noon Eastern as we
examine the rise of the Israeli protest movement against Prime Minister
Netanyahu. Recent lockdown restrictions have not slowed the growth of the
protests, which are taking place at hundreds of locations across Israel.
We'll be joined by famed Israeli singer Achinoam Nini (Noa).
[ [link removed] ]Register →
[ ]And be sure to visit J Stream for some of our best programming you may
have missed over the past month.

Israeli normalization deals with UAE and Bahrain are welcome -- but not a
substitute for comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian peace

Since President Trump’s White House signing event for the UAE and Bahrain
normalization agreements, reporting has exposed that the parties were
rushed to the photo-op by administration officials before a final draft
could be agreed upon. Key issues, including agreements to protect Israel’s
qualitative military edge, appear to have been left out entirely. Now,
President Trump is running ads in key swing states boasting of “Peace in
the Middle East” and touting a “Nobel Peace Prize” nomination for his
efforts.

At J Street, we have been clear that while any normalization agreements
between Israel and its neighbors are welcome and positive steps, they
should not be politicized, sensationalized or misrepresented as a
substitute for genuine Israeli-Palestinian peace. As our president Jeremy
Ben-Ami told the [ [link removed] ]New York Times, “It’s not conflict resolution and it’s
not peace -- This formalizes [aligned interests], but it shouldn’t be
overplayed as resolving a core conflict for Israel with its neighbors.”

J Street joins ‘Save the Vote’ alliance to help protect our elections

[10]Save the Vote
At J Street, we recognize that the history of the Jewish people teaches us
the fragility of democratic rights and freedoms, and that we must be
prepared to stand up and fight for the values we hold dear. With America’s
democratic foundations under unprecedented attack from the president
himself, J Street is proud to join the ‘Save the Vote’ campaign. As part
of an alliance of leading national advocacy groups, we’ll help those
fighting to defend voting rights and the integrity of our elections, and
to ensure a peaceful transition of power.
[ [link removed] ]Make a voting plan →

Speaking out against Trump’s failed Iran policies

[12]Trump at End the Iran Deal Rally
President Trump’s "America first" doctrine is increasingly looking more
like "America alone," and it’s putting both American interests and Israeli
security at risk. The Trump administration led the United States to a
series of humiliating defeats at the United Nations Security Council, with
even our closest allies refusing to join the Trump administration in its
attempt last month to use the “snapback provision” of the Iran nuclear
agreement -- despite having publicly decided to withdraw from
participation in the agreement two years earlier.

We’ve been clear in [ [link removed] ]calling this out for what it is: the dangerous
result of President Trump’s failed, unilateral Iran policies. Following
Trump’s repudiation of the successful JCPOA agreement, Iran has now
stockpiled several times more fissile material than it had when he took
office. Tehran’s hardliners have been strengthened, Iran has fired
missiles into a US base in Iraq and the international coalition the
Obama-Biden administration built to isolate Iran has now collapsed,
leaving the United States high and dry.

The silver-lining: Public support for multilateral diplomacy has surged in
the past four years, opening the door for the urgent, skilled diplomacy
needed to restore and build on the deal. Polls show that voters
increasingly support diplomatic action and reject Trump’s failed
unilateralism.
[ [link removed] ]Learn more →

Our Israel: Meet the Bedouin Israelis fighting for their land and heritage

[15]Bedouin Israelis
J Street is proud to stand with Israeli activists undertaking the
difficult but inspiring work to advance the cause of peace, justice and
equality in Israel, and to build a better future for all Israelis and
Palestinians. As part of J Street’s “Our Israel” series, this month we’ve
profiled the important work of the Regional Council for the Unrecognized
Villages in the Negev and the Bedouin people’s fight to protect their
indigenous culture, heritage and land rights.

“We want to be equal citizens in our country. We want to be an integral
part of the State of Israel, while maintaining our special character and
heritage as Bedouin,” Council Chairman Attia Asalam tells J Street. “It is
important to me that the Israeli public does not see us as enemies.”
[ [link removed] ]Read & share the full profile →

Meet the J Streeters: Six Questions With Assistant Israel Director Eve Lifson

As part of a new series examining the experience and values which drive J
Street’s staff, we interviewed Assistant Israel Director Eve Lifson. Eve
made aliyah from the United States shortly after college. Working in J
Street’s Tel Aviv office, she coordinates Israeli and Palestinian speaker
programs and designs and runs J Street’s on-the-ground trips with
students, foreign policy professionals and members of Congress.

“Home demolitions and settlement expansion have soared thanks to the
implicit greenlight from the American administration. Lives have been
devastated, and these policies continue without any accounting for them,”
Eve told us. “My wish is for diaspora Jews to continue to engage with
Israel, and despite the heartbreak and the disillusionment of the current
reality, to continue to fight for peace and justice for all Israelis and
Palestinians.”
[ [link removed] ]Read & share Eve's inspiring Q&A →
[ [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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