Friend,

The past few weeks have been a busy time for our pro-Israel, pro-peace movement.

With the intensive spending of right-wing pro-Israel groups like AIPAC becoming a major factor in congressional primaries, J Street’s political support for principled leaders has never been more important. And as the Israeli right takes damaging new steps to demolish homes, expand settlements and exacerbate conflict, we’re working with allies in Congress and calling on the Biden administration to act decisively in defense of Israel’s future and Palestinian rights.

You can read about that critical work -- and much more -- in our Street Talk newsletter below.

Thank you,

Logan Bayroff
Vice President of Communications

AROUND J STREET

J Street-backed Congressional Letters Urge Biden Admin to Oppose Settlements and Demolitions, Take Action for Peace

After an Israeli court decision last month gave the Israeli government the go-ahead for the displacement and demolition of several communities in the West Bank area of Masafer Yatta, over 1,000 Palestinians are at risk of being forced from their homes. The demolitions, which have already started, threaten to become the largest act of mass displacement in decades.

J Street and our congressional allies sprang into action. Supporters across the country urged Members of Congress to sign on to a letter to the Biden administration led by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Melanie Stansbury. The letter urged the administration to take action: “As supporters of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, we believe such evictions undermine our shared democratic values, imperil Israel's security, and disregard Palestinian human and civil rights…We respectfully request that you immediately engage with the Israeli government to prevent these evictions and further military training exercises in the area.”

Ultimately, 20 Senators and 63 Representatives added their names to this urgent message -- earning widespread notice in outlets like Politico, Haaretz and Times of Israel. At the same time, 80 Members of Congress signed on to another important J Street-supported letter led by Reps. Price, Lee, Wexton and Castro. Ahead of President Biden’s planned late-June visit to Israel and the West Bank, these leaders urged his administration to show strong, principled leadership to support peace, human rights and democratic freedoms for Israelis and Palestinians.

Fighting to Elect Candidates Who Share Our Values

While Israel and foreign policy are far from the top of most voters’ priority lists, right-wing pro-Israel groups like AIPAC have already spent an unprecedented $12 million to defeat progressive candidates in Democratic primaries -- with more to come. While AIPAC has endorsed the vast majority of Trump-allied Republicans who voted to overturn our election results on January 6, they’re simultaneously attempting to block principled, J Street-aligned Democratic candidates from coming to Congress. Through the critical work of JStreetPAC and J Street Action Fund, our movement has pushed back on these harmful attacks and helped win key victories so far.

In PA-12 -- where J Street-supported progressive Summer Lee faced an onslaught of over $3 million in misleading AIPAC-funded ads -- our vocal public support for Lee and contribution to a broad coalition of allied groups helped her win by just over 1,000 votes. In OR-6, our endorsee Andrea Salinas triumphed despite facing over $10 million spent by crypto billionaires and other outside groups.

Still, AIPAC and their allies have also succeeded in defeating some pro-Israel, pro-peace candidates -- and we know they’ll keep trying to attack candidates who support principled, even-handed, diplomacy-first US leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As our president Jeremy Ben-Ami told CNN, "This kind of overwhelming outside spending -- driven by a hawkish, right-wing foreign policy agenda that is completely out of touch with most Democratic voters -- deeply challenges the underpinnings of America's political system.” With the future of American democracy and the Democratic Party in the balance, our work is a critical counterweight.

JStreetPAC Proudly Endorses Speaker Nancy Pelosi

This week, JStreetPAC proudly announced its endorsement of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi -- affirming the strong relationship that our movement has built with one of our nation’s most influential and distinguished leaders.

Haaretz reported that the endorsement “signals the shifting attitudes on Israel inside the Democratic Party,” quoting the Speaker’s enthusiastic welcome for J Street’s support. “I am so thankful for all of the great work that J Street has done to help advance diplomacy and to safeguard Israel’s future. J Street’s supporters across the country consistently strive for peace, justice and equality -- for both Israelis and Palestinians, and for all Americans too. I welcome their endorsement as we continue to work together toward these shared goals at this critical moment in our history.” Jeremy Ben-Ami noted, “As a true champion for strong diplomacy, Speaker Pelosi played an invaluable, leading role in shepherding the JCPOA through the House in 2015, ensuring the passage of the landmark agreement that blocked all Iranian pathways to a nuclear weapon.”

Co-sponsoring the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice

Last month, Jewish Americans across the country were shaken by a leaked SCOTUS draft that indicated the court's readiness to overturn Roe v. Wade and empower further attacks on reproductive rights.

At J Street, we know that reproductive freedom is a Jewish value. That’s why J Street was proud to co-sponsor the Jewish Rally for Abortion Justice in Washington, DC. Take a look at some of the photos of our supporters proudly standing up and speaking out.

Our Israel: Meet the Israeli Organizations Working for Change

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.

‘This is not an Ulpan’ is an alternative language school, which works in both Israel and the Palestinian territory. The school was founded in the wake of the 2011 Israeli social justice protests which saw thousands rallying against social and economic inequality. “Ulpans are one of the most powerful tools in transmitting societal norms,” Devon Spitzer, who serves as the Marketing Manager and International Outreach Coordinator at This is not an Ulpan, tells J Street.

Read all about ‘This is not an Ulpan’ and their unique class offerings >>

The Palestinian Internship Program works to connect Palestinians in the technology sector to companies in Israel and beyond seeking talent. “We’re looking at how we can help young people reach their potential. And how can we help young people make the most of the opportunities that are available for them,” Executive Director Anna Gol tells J Street.

Learn more about the work of the Palestinian Internship Program here >>

Bokra is an Arabic news site that equips Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians in the Occupied Territory with the tools needed for nonviolent resistance to injustice, violence and inequality. Founded in 2006 by Israeli-Arab journalist Ghada Zaobi, Bokra is more than just a news service. "If you can influence the media, it's an easy way to achieve your desired outcome, especially when talking about people who spend most of their time online,” Zaobi explained to J Street.

Read about how Bokra is using media to ignite change >>

Chag Shavuot Sameach

This Shavuot, we are pleased to share with you J Street’s Shavuot Supplement for 2022, which showcases some of the insights and wisdom of our Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet. The supplement expands on our Two-Way Street series with new sources, and poses difficult, but important, questions about our engagement with advocacy and Jewish tradition. You can view the supplement here >>

Must Reads

• The Israeli Government Must Cooperate With J Street, The Jerusalem Post

• Ahead of Biden Visit, Israel Launches Biggest Eviction of Palestinians in Decades, The Washington Post

• Jewish Progressives Sound the Alarm as Pro-Israel Groups Target Marginalized Candidates, The Intercept

• Modest Warming in U.S. Views on Israel and Palestinians, Pew Research Center

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