[ [link removed] ]View this email as a web page.

[2]Street Talk: J Street's Monthly Newsletter

Friend,

As we’ve seen in these first few months of 2022, we’re at a critical
juncture for the future of democracy in the United States and around the
world, with major challenges for American foreign policy.

As we fight to defend our values, pursue peace and head off new crises,
we’re expanding our political impact on key races and stepping up in
support of strong diplomacy. We’re challenging those who imperil democracy
and standing up for the true principles of the American Jewish community
and the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement.

Thank you,

Logan Bayroff
Vice President of Communications

AROUND J STREET

J Street Condemns Surge in Terror Attacks Against Israelis

[1]J Street Condemns Surge in Terror Attacks Against Israelis.

The entire J Street community has been horrified by the recent surge in
terror attacks in Israel, which claimed the lives of 11 Israelis in just
one week. These violent attacks terrorize entire communities, leave
families mourning the loss of their loved ones, and inject further pain,
fear and hatred into a conflict that has already seen far too much of it.

As we approach a moment in which three major Muslim, Jewish and Christian
holidays converge, we are reminded of the urgency of our work toward a
shared future of peace, justice and security. [ [link removed] ]Read our full statement
here >>

Challenging AIPAC’s Far-Right Anti-Democratic Endorsements

[3]Challenging AIPAC’s Far-Right Anti-Democratic Endorsements

AIPAC’s decision to endorse and fundraise for 37 Republican Members of
Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results
following the January 6 insurrection has sent shockwaves through
Washington DC and the pro-Israel community.

“[AIPAC] has been accused of putting support for Israel before American
democracy,” read the lead in [ [link removed] ]The Guardian, with a wide range of
[ [link removed] ]pro-Israel organizations and [ [link removed] ]former AIPAC figures condemning the
decision. “It’s incredibly dangerous for a high-profile organization that
claims to represent pro-Israel Americans to give a stamp of approval and
to provide funding to the extremists who threatened the survival of our
democracy,” J Street VP of Communications Logan Bayroff told [ [link removed] ]The Daily
Beast.

In a [ [link removed] ]letter to members, AIPAC attempted to defend the endorsements,
stating that “this is no moment for the pro-Israel movement to become
selective about its friends.” J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami and
Chairman of the Board Alan Solomont [ [link removed] ]wrote a detailed response in an
open letter to J Street supporters. “AIPAC’s letter suggests there is no
line the American pro-Israel community shouldn’t cross in a single-minded
attempt to achieve uncritical and unquestioning support for Israeli
government policy,” they wrote. “We hope you’ll help us spread the word
about AIPAC’s reckless actions and the harmful impact they will have on
our democracy, and make clear that J Street is a home for all those who
wish to stand up and fight for our democratic values and institutions.”

Together, we must make clear to elected officials that when AIPAC knocks
on their door, they do not speak for us. [ [link removed] ]Add your name to our petition
today to tell Congress AIPAC does not speak for you >>

J Street Education Fund Brings Largest-Ever Congressional Delegation to Israel
and the West Bank

[11]J Street Education Fund Brings Largest-Ever Congressional Delegation
to Israel and the West Bank.

This February, the J Street Education Fund brought 10 Members of Congress
to Israel and the West Bank, our largest delegation to date. The intensive
itinerary was designed to deliver an in-depth, nuanced understanding of
the reality on the ground for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Led by 18-term Congressman David Price of North Carolina, members met with
Israeli and Palestinian politicians and peace activists, heard first-hand
accounts of settler violence and home demolitions, visited Israeli border
communities to witness the impacts of rockets, and visited the city of
Hebron, where the injustice of the occupation is simply undeniable.
[ [link removed] ]Read more about the impact of the trip on members >>

Our Congressional delegations help our elected officials fully appreciate
the dangers of ongoing conflict and occupation and spark important
discussions about the role of American leadership in stopping the
situation from deteriorating further. Following the trip, we were lucky to
have Representatives Jennifer Wexton and Jared Huffman join us for a
special public discussion, where they shared what they saw and the lessons
they took away. [ [link removed] ]Watch the discussion with Reps. Wexton and Huffman
here >>

J Street Launches 'Iran Diplomacy Works' Site to Support President Biden’s
Diplomatic Efforts

[14]J Street Launches “Iran Diplomacy Works” Site to Support President
Biden’s Diplomatic Efforts.

J Street recently launched a special campaign to support and defend the
Biden Administration’s efforts to restore the Iran nuclear agreement:
[ [link removed] ]IranDiplomacyWorks.

Our campaign, centered on a dedicated website, features easily digestible
explainers, quotes from US and Israeli experts, polling and statements by
prominent public figures. With this critical resource in place, we are
ready to leap into action to support a return to the Iran nuclear
agreement, the only effective way to block Iran from developing nuclear
weapons and to prevent another disastrous war in the Middle East.

[ [link removed] ]Our campaign, centered on a dedicated website, features easily
digestible explainers, quotes from US & Israeli experts, polling, and
statements by prominent public figures.

Following on the success of the nuclear agreement, after it was first
voted on in 2015 and implemented, we know that the vast majority of
American Jews and the American public supports these efforts. As J Street
President Jeremy Ben-Ami [ [link removed] ]told the New York Times, “The beauty of
having this argument a second time is that we actually have the facts from
the first time -- the real-world experience both that the policy was good
and that the politics didn’t hurt anybody who supported it.”

We are also pushing back on right-wing forces who are opposed to the deal,
despite the support for it from security experts and the wider public. In
response to an argument against the deal from John Bolton, the
ultra-hawkish former National Security Advisor to Donald Trump, J Street’s
VP of Policy and Strategy Dylan Williams wrote a Letter to the Editor in
the [ [link removed] ]Washington Post. He noted, “A majority of Israeli security experts
have repudiated the ‘maximum pressure’ approach… Congress would be wise to
heed the words of these experts and ignore the reckless advice of
anti-diplomacy hawks such as Mr. Bolton.”

[ [link removed] ]Sign up for updates about IranDiplomacyWorks >>

The J Street Action Fund: Shaping the Future of Democratic Politics

[20]Jessica Cisneros and supporters.

Last month marked the J Street Action Fund’s first major investment in a
political race, with $125,000 in digital messaging and GOTV mobilization
in support of J Street endorsee Jessica Cisneros in the Democratic primary
for Texas’ 28th congressional district.

Our Action Fund messaging highlighted the ongoing FBI investigation into
conservative incumbent Henry Cuellar, drawing a sharp contrast between a
representative that continued to [ [link removed] ]put his own interests above his
constituents and the [ [link removed] ]opportunity to elect new, values-driven
leadership.

“Our effort aims to show voters that while Rep. Cuellar’s fighting for his
personal interests and out-of-touch conservative views, Jessica Cisneros
is a principled, dedicated leader who’s ready to fight for the true needs
and values of her district,” VP of Communications Logan Bayroff told
[ [link removed] ]HuffPost. “Whether it comes to ongoing diplomacy with Iran or US
policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Rep. Cuellar has
repeatedly aligned himself with foreign policy hawks who undermine true
American values and interests. Instead of this kind of flawed and failed
leadership, Jessica Cisneros is exactly the kind of talented progressive
voice who will champion a more principled and pragmatic foreign policy in
Congress.”

Polling in the month leading up to election day showed Cisneros edging
closer and closer to Cuellar. On election day, Cuellar fell short of the
50% needed to avoid a runoff, which is now scheduled for May 24. The
Action Fund will continue to use these strategic, targeted tactics to help
support our endorsed candidates in other key races across the country in
this cycle as additional exciting races ramp up.

[ [link removed] ]Read our TX-28 Campaign Report

[ [link removed] ]Learn More About the J Street Action Fund

You're Invited! The 2022 J Street National Conference

[26]Register to join us at our National Conference this December.

The J Street National Conference is the year’s largest gathering of
pro-peace, pro-Israel activists -- and one of the most important,
talked-about annual events in the worlds of foreign policy and progressive
politics.

The theme of the conference is “Living Our Values, Defending Democracy.”
Taking place from December 3-5, 2022, It will bring together top
lawmakers, activists, and experts to explore how we can best mobilize to
take on and defeat the far-right, at home and abroad. [ [link removed] ]Reserve your
tickets now >>

Reflections on Ukraine

[28]Ukrainian Refugees.

As we watch the Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to unfold, we
continue to be horrified at the violence and injustice. For those of us
committed to the battle for human rights, peace and democracy, it is a
reminder of how connected our shared struggle for these values is around
the world. [ [link removed] ]J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami shared his reflections
about the situation in Ukraine, which you can read here.

This Monday, April 4, Israeli Political Reporter Tal Shalev and HIAS
Refugee Agency VP Naomi Steinberg will join us to discuss Israel’s
response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as the catastrophic
humanitarian crisis. [ [link removed] ]Register here >>

Mourning the Loss of the Great Philanthropist Sid Topol

[31]Sid Topol.

The entire J Street family is mourning the loss of our great friend and
supporter, the philanthropist Sidney (Sid) Topol. Sid was a long-time,
deeply committed supporter of J Street and JStreetPAC, a member of the
Board of Directors and a key figure in helping the pro-Israel, pro-peace
movement to grow and thrive. He gave so much of his time and resources to
aiding our movement and so many other important organizations,
institutions and causes to create a better future for Israelis,
Palestinians and Americans.

Sid was a truly beloved figure, a source of inspiration and strength for
all who worked with and knew him. His memory will be a blessing for all of
us. [ [link removed] ]You can read our reflection on his amazing life here >>

Our Israel: Meet the Israeli Organizations Working for Change

[33]Road to Recovery Volunteer.

Incredible Israeli grassroots advocates and activists are fighting for a
more just, equal and peaceful future for their country and for both the
Israeli and Palestinian peoples. J Street is proud to highlight their
critical work through our Our Israel profile series.

Tzedek Centers are community centers throughout Israel that train and
build networks of community organizers. Tzedek -- the Hebrew word for
justice -- informs the group’s entire approach to their work and their
ultimate vision for a shared Arab-Jewish society. “We knew there had to be
a shared connection between Jews and Arabs. Not only around food and
tourism, but also around local and national politics,” Executive Director
of the Tzedek Centers Lev Littman tells J Street.

[ [link removed] ]Read about the Tzedek Centers and share their story >>

Every year, the volunteers at Road to Recovery make thousands of trips,
bringing Palestinians in the West Bank -- mostly children -- to vital
medical appointments in Israel. Since Israeli authorities often only grant
entry permits to children in need of care and not their caregivers or
their vehicles, volunteers offer both practical transport and emotional
support and reassurance. “On both sides, from the day you are born, you
are being taught not to trust the other side,” Naama Goraly, the
organization's CEO, tells J Street. “For me, every new volunteer means
somebody whose beliefs have been cracked. And that means I did my job.”

[ [link removed] ]Read the profile of Road to Recovery and learn more here >>


[ [link removed] ]DONATE

[ [link removed] ]Facebook [ [link removed] ]Instagram [ [link removed] ]Twitter
© 2022 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.



You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time:
[link removed]