[ ]J Street [ ]
Friends,

It’s an appalling thing, to demolish somebody’s home.

Demolition crews arrive, surrounded by soldiers. Families rush to save
what they can. Women, children and men stand with tears in their eyes.
Engines rev, walls begin to crumble, all you can do is look on helplessly.

Last week, this scene played out for two more Palestinian families in
Al-Walaja, north-west of Bethlehem. 14 people lost their homes.

This year, a total of over 900 Palestinians have now lost their homes
through arbitrary, discriminatory Israeli demolitions. It’s part of a
broader, destructive project designed to push people from their land, make
way for Israeli settlements and entrench permanent control over occupied
territory.

My fellow Israelis are sent to the frontlines to defend this. Sent to
guard bulldozers, wrecking crews and arbitrary checkpoints. We are told it
is essential to our security.

The truth is that every demolition not only destroys a home holding the
memories, dreams and future of a family -- it also does terrible damage to
our hopes for a just, peaceful and democratic future for Israel.

Friends -- this is what the injustice of the status quo looks
like. It’s fuel for a cycle of oppression, retaliation and violence. And
it’s what I and my fellow staff members at J Street in Israel and the
United States are working to change.

[ [link removed] ]Right now -- as we approach our August fundraising deadline -- we’d
deeply welcome a contribution of any amount to help sustain that work.

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The more than 2,000 Palestinian residents of Al-Walaja experience the very
sharpest edges of the Israeli government’s decades-old military
occupation. Over the years, authorities have weaponized settlements,
walls, checkpoints, demolitions and zoning rules to chip away at
Palestinian territory and entrench control of their land.

On three sides, the town is now hemmed in by the concrete separation wall
which cuts deep into Palestinian territory. Two Israeli settlements block
easy access to towns and schools nearby. And while Palestinian families
continue to have their homes demolished on one side of Al-Walaja, on the
other, Israeli authorities are planning more than 1,000 units in a
massive, new, unlawful settlement.

If completed, the entire town will be entirely encircled by concrete
walls, barbed wire and military checkpoints.

I was 16 when I first learned about the Israeli government’s systemic
policy of discriminatory home demolitions. I find myself now asking the
question I asked myself then -- what possible good does this do for
Israel?

It does nothing to enhance our security. It only destroys Palestinians
lives, degrades our commitment to justice and puts young Israelis in
harm’s way to defend an indefensible status quo.

[ [link removed] ]Today, your donation of any amount will help our movement push back >>

In Washington, DC -- far from the West Bank -- last week also saw a
historic meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett. As the holder of both Israeli and American passports, I know the
significance and importance of having neither Donald Trump nor Benjamin
Netanyahu sitting in either chair.

It’s a moment that gives us the opportunity to reset the US-Israel
relationship. To put it on a more sustainable, honest and productive path.
And to insist on fidelity to our shared values of democracy, peace and
justice as the foundation of an enduring partnership.

We cannot let this moment pass us by.

That means pushing firmly for an end to settlement expansion. For an end
to discriminatory demolitions and evictions. For an honest conversation
about how to bring an end to this intolerable status quo -- and for a
clear red line about what US military aid can and cannot be used for in
the meantime.

In Washington, in our communities and through delegations to Israel and
the West Bank (in which I’ve seen more than a few members of Congress
brought to tears) J Street and our movement for peace, justice and
self-determination are continuing to transform the politics of Israel and
Palestine. Continuing to inject insight, empathy and hope into a debate
too often dominated by extremism, absolutism and indifference.

[ [link removed] ]Friends -- I would be deeply appreciative if you might
consider a donation to support that work today >>

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Yours sincerely,

Eve Lifson
Assistant Israel Director


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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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