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Friend --

When President Trump issued a controversial executive order yesterday
related to anti-Semitism on college campuses, confusion abounded.

But at J Street, we recognized the impact of the executive order right
away -- and understood exactly why it’s so dangerous.

The president’s executive order is virtually identical to problematic
proposed legislation called the “Anti-Semitism Awareness Act.”

The legislation, just like this EO, was marketed as addressing the very
real threat of anti-Semitism on campuses. But its only real-world impact
would have been to chill the freedom of speech of critics of Israel on
campus. And that's what this EO will do. By defining a broad range of
criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic, the order empowers Trump
administration officials to penalize campuses for not sufficiently
policing debate and discussion about Israel.

At J Street, we understand that anti-Semitism is a scourge, and we’re
committed to fighting vociferously against it in all its forms. But this
EO -- and the legislation it is based on -- are not about fighting
anti-Semitism. They are about redefining anti-Semitism to stifle free
speech.

Working alongside the ACLU, anti-Semitism scholars and other partners, J
Street succeeded in blocking this harmful legislation from passing in
Congress. So, now President Trump has circumvented us and Congress -- by
issuing an executive order.

We’re on the front lines, making clear that Donald Trump has no right to
speak for American Jews -- and that his actions, words and ideology only
make our community less safe. [ [link removed] ]Can you support J Street today to help us
keep up our fight?

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Even Kenneth S. Stern, the expert who drafted the definition of
anti-Semitism adopted by this executive order, has publicly opposed its
application to college campuses -- writing that "If this bill becomes
law…students and faculty members will be scared into silence, and
administrators will err on the side of suppressing or censuring speech."

There’s no doubt that anti-Semitism is on the rise, and that it must be
confronted and fought wherever it's found. Yet this is just the latest
move in the administration’s disgraceful push to turn the issue of
anti-Semitism into a partisan political weapon, instead of seriously
combating it in all its forms.

It’s outrageous for President Trump to pretend to care about anti-Semitism
during the same week in which he once again publicly spouted anti-Semitic
tropes about Jews and money -- and while he continues to promote the same
white nationalist, xenophobic ideology that has led to violent attacks on
American Jews.

At the same time, we know that it’s wrong to treat campus critics of
Israel as the main threat to American Jews -- and to trample on the First
Amendment in order to silence legitimate debate on campus. It should also
be clear from his comments, ideology and allies that Donald Trump has no
interest in seriously combating anti-Semitism and that his administration
cannot be trusted to address this issue responsibly and in good-faith.

At J Street, we believe that one important way to fight anti-Semitism and
to promote a better future for Israelis and Palestinians is to remain true
to our Jewish and democratic values.

That means standing up for the First Amendment and legitimate debate, even
when we have strong disagreements. It means challenging demagogic leaders
who shamelessly target vulnerable minority communities and traffic in
anti-Semitic stereotypes -- even when they claim that their far-right
“support for Israel” makes them a friend to our community.

In these incredibly challenging times for our community, J Street’s work
has never been more vital. [ [link removed] ]Can you chip in today to give us the
resources we need to stand up to President Trump and his enablers?

If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your
donation will go through immediately:

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Thank you for standing with us,

Jessica 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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