Dear Friend,
Freedom and justice.
For me, those are the core values embodied in Passover traditions.
It’s how we pass from generation to generation our obligation to fight for those values -- whether here at home or for Israel, for Palestinians or for all who are oppressed.
For J Street, this is also a moment to reflect on the work we have ahead of us in shaping the foreign policy of the Biden administration to advance those values.
We know that bold action is needed if freedom and justice in the Israeli-Palestinian context are to be realized.
Yes, there have been positive early signals, but just as we see the administration pursuing a strong, progressive agenda domestically, we must press urgently for bold, progressive foreign policy as well.
To ensure we can meet this moment and make our voices heard in Washington, we’re aiming to raise $60,000 before Passover – and I’m asking for you to chip in $3, or any other amount, to help get us there.
Can you contribute $3 toward our Passover goal?
For decades, American leaders have given rhetorical support to a two-state peace agreement.
But for decades as well, they’ve fallen short when it comes to preventing corrosive steps that undermine diplomacy. In that time, Israeli government policies in the West Bank have brought us to the brink of an annexation catastrophe.
Unless we chart a new course, I fear that a disastrous future of endless conflict and injustice will remain our destination.
Together, our pro-Israel, pro-peace movement must make clear that indefinite occupation and creeping annexation are unsustainable and unacceptable.
The United States must break with the past and advance a new vision for bold, effective leadership.
J Street’s agenda for the Biden administration includes:
- Reaffirming that the United States considers settlement expansion illegal under international law;
- Ensuring that US security assistance to Israel is not used to enforce occupation and carry out creeping annexation in the West Bank;
- Ending American insulation of the Netanyahu government from the legal and diplomatic consequences internationally for unlawful acts;
- Speaking out fairly and forcefully against acts by both Palestinians and Israelis that fuel the cycle of conflict, including acts of terror, incitement, settler violence, arbitrary demolitions and excessive force; and
- Restoring policies that recognize the reality of the occupation and that reinforce the bright legal line between the State of Israel itself and occupied Palestinian territory.
With these foundational steps, we can root American policy in the Jewish and democratic values supported by the overwhelming majority of voters in our community and beyond.
If you want to see this transformation in our foreign policy as urgently as I do, please contribute today to help us reach our $60,000 Passover goal.
With so many pressing priorities for the administration at home and abroad, we’re clear-eyed about the challenge we face in elevating our issues as a priority. This won’t be easy.
But here’s the good news: J Street is well-positioned for the fight. We have developed close ties with leading members of the administration. In Congress, our endorsees now hold majorities in both the House and Senate Democratic caucuses.
At this moment, no group is better placed to advance our priorities in Washington -- and to push back against the harmful policies promoted by the alliance between the American and Israeli right wings.
We’re setting an ambitious Passover goal because we know the months ahead will be critical in setting the tone for the next four years of American leadership. Your support today will help fuel this effort.
Chip in $3 now
Happy Passover to those who celebrate, and thank you for your support.
Yours,
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
