As 2020 rolls on (and will thankfully end soon) we want to catch you up on a few items. As always, feel free to reply to this email with any questions and comments you have regarding the content of this newsletter. We wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving – remember your masks! |
World Zionist Congress Update |
Recently we reported on the recent Zionist Congress and the attempt by a bloc of right wing and orthodox groups to break with the custom of creating a true wall to wall coalition with all of the Zionist entities properly represented, regardless of political view or religious observance. In the end a respectful agreement was reached and the new administration is getting down to work. The question remains as to the tone that will dominate the work of the WZO. Ya’acov Hagoel, new chair of the WZO from the Likud, was quoted in the Jerusalem Post recalling “Menachem Begin’s reply to the question as to how he would lead as prime minister. ‘In a good Jewish style,’ Begin answered. “Inspired by this great leader,” says Hagoel, “I will strive to lead this important organization, in a Jewish, Zionist, ethical and decent manner, working together with the members of the Zionist Executive in Israel and the Diaspora. The WZO is the organization that brought about the establishment of the State of Israel and constitutes the ‘government’ of the Jewish people that binds and unites all the opinions, views, currents and challenges faced by the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora.”
This is a lofty aspiration and one hopes that Hagoel employs this approach as he chairs the organization. At the same time, there are worrying signs regarding his own World Likud nominee to lead the Diaspora Affairs Department. Jacques Kupfer has in the past, according to Ha’aretz, “called on Israel to deny voting rights to its Arab citizens, has referred to “Palestinianism” – that is, support for Palestinian rights – as a deadly virus, and has castigated Israeli leftists as traitors. He’s been widely quoted in the French press as saying he regretted that Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated because he should have been tried in a military court for signing the Oslo Accords (which were meant to pave the way for the establishment of a Palestinian state).” The Ha’aretz article further suggests that “A former head of Likud in France, Kupfer is known even within Likud circles as an extremist whose views are not necessarily representative of Israel’s ruling party.” We have been told first hand of violent and other inappropriate acts by Kupfer against political opponents…..this is the person the Likud proposes as the WZO emissary to the Diaspora?
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Correction to our Hatikvah Slate Congress Report |
In our report on the Hatikvah Slate’s efforts at the Zionist Congress, we told you about the successful passage of a Hatikvah sponsored resolution that will empower Zionist youth movements and Jewish Student Unions around the world to lead the effort to combat anti-Zionism on campus. At that time we reported that we faced opposition from the ZOA, Eretz Hakodesh and StandWithUs. We were subsequently contacted by StandWithUs and we would like to clarify this matter. While their representative did offer an amendment during the Resolutions Committee meeting that was not in the spirit of the original resolution, they told us that in fact they ultimately recommended to their caucus members to support the resolution as passed by Committee. In reviewing the tape of the meeting, we discovered the source of our confusion; the ZOA representative who spoke immediately after the StandWithUs speaker erroneously referenced “the ZOA and StandWithUs” in expressing their opposition to the resolution, the Hatikvah Slate in general and the WZO Department tasked with carrying out the effort. We apologize to StandWithUs for misrepresenting their position and thank them for the support on this important issue.
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Other Israel Film Festival - December 3-10 2020 |
The "Other Israel Film Festival" will be held online this year. Ameinu is inviting you to join us for the screening of Crossing:
Mika, Yuval and Ben were recruited to the Military Police Corps despite their conscientious objection. For the first time in their lives, young men and women face the constant and painful friction with the Palestinians. Locked in a fortified position day and night, in cold or hot weather, wearing heavy bullet-proof vests, these soldiers are trained to believe that at last everything drains into the fate of both nations. (88 min | Dir. Itzik Lerner | 2019 | Doc)
Ameinu members will enjoy 20% discount - Use discount code AMEINU20 |
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Jewish Labour Movement (Virtual) Conference in the UK |
Ameinu’s British sister organization is holding its annual policy conference, calling on people to “join the Jewish Labour Movement as we shape the agenda in the Jewish community and the Labour movement when so much is at stake. A day for discussion and reflection as we look towards the future.” The keynote speaker will be the Labour Party chair Keir Starmer MP and it will be a day long event with an interesting list of speakers and topics. Ameinu president Kenneth Bob and a member of the U.S. Congress will share an American perspective on the U.S. election results. For more information on our friends’ activity across the pond, visit this link. |
Ameinu Our People | 25 Broadway 9th floor, New York, NY 10004 | ameinu.net | 212-366-1194 |
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