Friend --
I’m writing to explain why our December fundraising goal is so significant, and to address *those comments* by former President Trump that made headlines over the weekend.
This December, we’re aiming to raise $280,000 for the fight for democracy, equality and a more principled vision of American leadership in the year ahead.
Yes, It’s a big goal, but it matches the magnitude of the challenge. In 2022, the battle for rights, freedom and democracy will take place here at home as well as abroad.
As we race toward the midterms, we continue to battle an increasingly radicalized pro-Trump movement intent on sabotaging our democracy to regain power, perhaps indefinitely. Pro-Trump officials are openly laying plans to undercut our democratic process, and we know they won’t hesitate to use white nationalism, antisemitic conspiracy theories and racial grievance to do so.
At J Street, we’re committed to standing at the forefront of this fight. Proud to be one of the few pro-Israel organizations focused on protecting the democratic rights and freedoms of all people in the US, Israel and the Palestinian Territory.
And yes, that means we must continue to press our leaders in Washington to support Israeli democracy and security without further enabling the Israeli far-right or trampling Palestinian rights and freedoms. It means continuing to push for stronger action to stop settler violence, to halt settlement growth, and to end demolitions and evictions that violate our values and international law.
It’s a lot of work. So if you feel able, please consider an end-of-year contribution of $22 or $54 -- or any other amount -- to help prepare our movement for the year ahead >>
Now -- to talk about *those comments* by President Trump.
In case you missed it, when Trump was asked by Axios reporter Barak Ravid what he thought of Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year, he summed it up in two words: “F**k him.” Outraged that Prime Minister Netanyahu recognized President Biden’s election victory in a congratulatory video, Trump said “I haven’t spoken to him since.”
He followed up with a series of candid revelations:
- “I don't think Bibi ever wanted to make peace.”
- “I did more for [Netanyahu] than any other person I dealt with.”
- “He would have lost the election if it wasn't for me."
Two things stand out for me here, both highly relevant to our mission.
The first point relates to Israelis, Palestinians and American leadership.
While it’s perhaps surprising to see Trump slam his former political ally so sharply, he is joining a long list of former American presidents and senior officials who -- once released from the political constraints of office -- are far more candid and scathing in their assessment of the role played by Netanyahu and the Israeli right in deepening the occupation, expanding settlements, and demolishing and spurning opportunities for peace.
It seems to almost be a rite of passage for former presidents and senior officials to lament the Israeli right’s efforts to build and bulldoze their way to permanent, undemocratic control of the West Bank -- and to note the political constraints they felt stopped them from pushing back.
This highlights the importance of our work to change these political incentives and challenge the establishment groupthink in Washington. To fight back against groups like AIPAC who run interference for the occupation and the settlement movement. And to shift the perception that any action to push back against the Israeli right would be somehow toxic to American supporters of Israeli security and self-determination.
Together, we must show loud, vocal support for those willing to take a firm stand for justice, equality and a democratic future for Israelis and Palestinians. And we must push our current leaders to take a stronger stand.
To support that work, please consider a donation of $22 or $54 to meet our December fundraising goal today >>
The second point reinforces the ongoing threats to democracy here at home.
It wasn’t Netanyahu’s corruption or extremism that ultimately earned him Trump’s public scorn -- it was his mere acknowledgment that President-elect Biden won the November 2020 election.
Taken with the work that right-wing groups are doing to install pro-Trump officials at the state level across the country, and the ongoing revelations coming out of the January 6 investigations, it is yet another reminder that we cannot ignore the single-minded effort underway to discredit the democratic process and entrench minority rule.
As Jews, we know all too well where that brand of antidemocratic, ethno-nationalist politics can lead -- and we cannot allow it to succeed here.
Our leaders and institutions cannot excuse this because Trump or other anti-democratic leaders are “good for Israel” or “a friend of the Jews”. We must recognize this as the threat that it is, and mobilize accordingly.
As we brace for the midterm elections, we must make the stakes of this election clear to voters, we must delegitimize and defeat right-wing candidates, and we must prevent pro-Trump forces from laying the groundwork for catastrophe in 2024.
At J Street, we’re proud to lead this work. Proud to be standing firm for our values, mobilizing our movement, and working strategically to defend our democracy and defeat the significant threats we face.
Friends, I’m so thankful to have you by our side in this work.
If you could, please consider helping us meet our final fundraising deadline with a contribution of $22 or $54 or any other amount today >>
Thank you, sincerely, for your continued support.
Yours,
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
