[ ]J Street [ ]
Friends,

Every year, the J Street Education Fund takes Members of Congress and
their staff to Israel and the West Bank on experiences that participants
have called “life-changing”.

We aim to deliver a comprehensive, no-holds-barred examination of Israel’s
security challenges, the occupation and the settlement movement -- and the
impact all this has on the lives and freedoms of everyday Israelis and
Palestinians.

Today, with their permission, I’m sharing a piece of feedback from a
congressional staffer who joined our most recent trip which included a
tour of the divided, occupied city of Hebron. I think it demonstrates the
profound impact these trips can have:

“Hebron was the most emotionally intense moment that I’ve had in this job.
No one walked away not feeling outraged, no matter their personal politics
before the trip or the orientation of their office.”

Your support ensures that leaders in Washington -- even those who can’t
join us in the region -- understand the reality on the ground and the
threat that indefinite occupation poses to Palestinian freedoms, our
values and Israel’s democratic future.

Friends -- As we near our End-of-Year Fundraising Deadline, would
you consider a final 2022 contribution to support this vital
work? [ [link removed] ]Every contribution strengthens our advocacy >>

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Our visits to the city of Hebron -- home to 200,000 Palestinians, 800
settlers and over 1,000 soldiers -- are among  the most emotionally taxing
moments for me as well.

For myself and many other Jews, Muslims and Christians, Hebron is one of
the holiest cities in the Middle East. It’s the resting place of important
Jewish patriarchs and matriarchs and carries a tremendous amount of
religious significance, which is why it’s so painful to see what it has
become.

With checkpoints, razor-wire, gates and guns, the very sharpest edges of
the occupation, injustice and hostility are on full display. It carries
the painful, recent history of horrific massacres inflicted by Jewish and
Arab perpetrators. 

On our trips we’re often shadowed, yelled at and intimidated. Last trip, a
settler hit me square in the chest with a full cup of coffee.

[ [link removed] ]Photos of Hebron showing the occupation

While some would rather hide the occupation and ignore the settlement
movement, at J Street we know that those who are truly pro-Israel cannot
afford to look away. 

“One of my greatest takeaways is that to be pro-Israel is to be in favor
of recognizing, understanding and dealing with the conflict between Israel
and the Palestinians,” Rep.  Madeleine Dean told Jewish Insider after
joining one of our trips earlier this year. “A failure to deal with that
only jeopardizes the security of Israel.”

Indeed, Hebron demonstrates not only the injustice and humiliation that
the occupation inflicts on Palestinians, but the danger faced by thousands
of young Israelis who are sent to guard settlements, checkpoints and
outposts and uphold a deeply unjust, unequal system of military control.

Perpetual conflict, perpetual settlement construction and perpetual
occupation bring misery and pain to both Israeli and Palestinian families.

Friends -- Your contribution of any amount this December funds
our advocacy. With your support, we will continue to press our leaders to
act with determination, commitment and compassion to end this cycle of
violence and injustice. 

[ [link removed] ]Please consider an end of year contribution to strengthen our movement
today >>

Donations processed immediately for Express Lane users.



[ [link removed] ]Donate $18 [ [link removed] ]Donate $36
[ [link removed] ]Donate $54 [ [link removed] ]Donate $90
[ [link removed] ]Donate $180 [ [link removed] ]Other



Yours sincerely, 

Cooper Boyar
Associate Director for Congressional Education, J Street


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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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