[ ]J Street [ ]
Friend --

Earlier this week, the European Union’s top court ruled that products made
in West Bank settlements cannot be labeled “Made in Israel.”

Reactions to the decision were immediate and predictable. The Conference
of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations called the decision “deeply
repugnant,” claiming -- puzzlingly -- that it somehow harmed prospects for
peace. AIPAC called it “outrageous.” The Trump administration panned the
legal ruling as “deeply concerning.”

What we find “deeply concerning” is that our government -- and
organizations that claim to speak for pro-Israel Americans -- would
condemn the EU’s simple acknowledgement that there is a meaningful
distinction between the State of Israel and the occupied territory. It’s
especially infuriating to see these objections wrapped in the language of
peace and even support for two states, when obscuring the distinction
between Israel and the settlements clearly benefits the settler movement
and makes peace harder to achieve.

Erasing the distinction between Israel and its settlements and outposts is
the goal of the annexationists. It is the mission of Ambassador David
Friedman and all those determined to prevent the creation of a Palestinian
state and eliminate prospects for a two-state solution -- the only
solution that secures Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the
Jewish people.

Fortunately, we know these organizations and individuals do not speak for
the majority of Jewish Americans or pro-Israel Americans.

We know that for more and more American Jews, supporting Israel and
opposing settlement expansion go hand in hand.

As we’ve done for ten years, J Street made sure that the voice of
pro-Israel, anti-occupation Americans was heard.

We welcomed the EU ruling and created resources to explain to American
policymakers why -- contrary to AIPAC and Trump administration talking
points -- differentiation between Israel and the territories it controls
is a pro-Israel and pro-peace position. In fact, under Israel’s own law,
there is a vital difference between Israel inside the Green Line and the
territory it occupies over it.

Over the next year, we’ll be fighting to make sure that pro-Israel,
anti-occupation views aren’t merely heard, but are reflected in the
Democratic platform, on the debate stage and in the policies of the next
president of the United States.

To make the impact we’re capable of -- to make sure the voices of the
majority rise over those who deny the occupation, enable the settlement
movement and defend the status quo -- we need your help.

[ [link removed] ]Please chip in whatever you can to keep J Street funded so we can
continue to grow this movement, amplify your voice and fight for a better
future for Israel and the Palestinians.

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Thanks so much for all you do,

Jess Smith
Chief Operating Officer, J Street


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© 2019 J Street | [ [link removed] ]www.jstreet.org | [email protected]

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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