Friends,
Almost every day, my fellow Israelis are sent to guard wrecking crews.
Young soldiers have to tell children and their parents that bulldozers have come for their family home. They hold back distraught relatives as jackhammers tear into bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms.
It’s not the vision of defending our homeland that most young Israelis had in mind.
The truth? Demolishing family homes to make way for settlements has nothing to do with Israel’s security, and everything to do with the right-wing’s efforts to entrench permanent control over occupied land. They weaponize settlements, zoning rules, roads and walls and not only chip away at more and more Palestinian territory, but at Israel’s own democracy.
It’s a catastrophe for Palestinian families. A violation of Israel’s founding values. A misuse of brave young soldiers. And it spells disaster for Israel’s own security.
Tell President Biden: Help Stop West Bank Demolitions
Friends – Can you support our advocacy and sign our petition to President Biden? ✍️
President Biden and the State Department are reportedly making their strongest appeals ever to deter yet more settlements and demolitions. We must support these efforts, and we must encourage the White House to go further.
Since President Biden took office, over 2,800 people in the West Bank have seen their homes destroyed by Israeli authorities. More than half of them are children. Over 34,000 have had farms, businesses, schools, medical facilities, water pipes, solar panels or other structures destroyed.
It’s not just Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups sounding the alarm. A growing number of both former and current Israeli security officials are warning that the ongoing occupation is fuelling greater instability and violence in the West Bank that could escalate at any moment.
As Israel’s strongest partner, American leadership can help prevent the right-wing’s pursuit of endless occupation. We must chart a path toward equality, freedom, justice and peace.
Tell President Biden: Help Stop West Bank Demolitions
Add your voice and support our movement ✍️
Thank you, sincerely, for helping to fuel this important work.
Yours,
Eve Lifson
Deputy Israel Director, J Street
