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.
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.
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.
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
