Friends,
The past few weeks here in Israel have brought a series of frightening announcements as Benjamin Netanyahu assembles the most extreme, right-wing government in our history.
- Itamar Ben Gvir -- who has encouraged violence against Palestinians and Arab Israelis and was once described as the “go-to” defense lawyer for violent settlers -- is in line to be Israel’s Minister for National Security, with authority over the police.
- Bezalel Smotrich -- a settler activist who has called for full annexation of the West Bank and has supported Arab-Jewish segregation within Israel -- looks set to be in charge of the settlements and the Occupied Territory.
- Avi Maoz -- who has mocked trans colleagues, opposed gender equality laws and wants to cancel the Jerusalem Pride parade -- will likely play a significant role in the education ministry.
This new government could do terrible damage to democratic rights and freedoms within Israel, not to mention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
While the final government is still a few days from taking office, we already know we’re going to need a strong, effective response from the Biden Administration.
Together, we must show the Biden Administration that pro-Israel Americans are deeply worried about Israeli democracy -- and want our leaders to stand up to Netanyahu’s band of extremists.
We’re counting on grassroots supporters like you to help fund our advocacy. Please consider an end-of-year contribution today >>
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It’s not just human rights advocates and progressives sounding the alarm.
The former deputy of the Shin Bet security agency, Roni Alsheikh, has said Ben Gvir’s pending appointment makes him “anxious for the fate of the State of Israel.”
Amos Gilad, a former chief of Israeli military intelligence, has said that Smotrich would be “a major disaster” if he pursued his hardline proposals within the Ministry of Defense.
The Jerusalem Post Editorial Board said that Avi Maoz’s “blatant homophobia” and hostility to women and progressive Jews make him “unfit to have authority on Israel's education system.”
If leading, mainstream Israelis are comfortable pushing back against Netanyahu’s extremist allies, then we should expect similar leadership from a White House that has committed itself to equal measures of freedom, security and dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians.
Friends -- Please consider an end-of-year contribution to J Street to help push the Biden Administration to stand up for what’s right. Every donation strengthens our movement >>
True leadership from the US means standing up for the shared values at the heart of the US-Israel relationship, including equal rights and democratic freedoms. It means a clear red line against home demolitions, settlement expansion and annexation -- steps that lead to endless conflict and injustice.
Thank you, sincerely, for your support.
Nadav Tamir
Executive Director, J Street Israel
