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Friends,
“Exclusive and unquestionable.”
That’s how Benjamin Netanyahu -- who today officially returned to the Prime Ministership -- just described Jewish people’s right to build settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
His new right-wing coalition government has made settlement expansion and cementing the occupation a top priority. Outgoing Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, described parts of the coalition agreement as "full-on crazy.”
The new government has committed to:
- “Promote and develop settlements” across the West Bank, including committing to legalizing outposts deemed illegal by Israel’s own courts;
- Pursue outright annexation of occupied territory “at the right time and with consideration” to Israel’s national interests;
- Amend gender and LGBT+ anti-discrimination laws to permit discrimination based on “religious belief”;
- Grant legal immunities to soldiers and police and loosen open-fire rules;
- Repeal laws blocking those who incite racism from serving in the Knesset;
- Adopt legal changes that would allow the Israeli parliament to override the Supreme Court.
As an Israeli myself, I’m deeply concerned about what this will mean for both Israelis and Palestinians. Netanyahu and his allies trample our own security interests and democratic values just as readily as they trample on Palestinian rights and freedoms.
Friends -- A “business as usual” response from Congress or the White House will be seen as a bright green light when what we need are clear red lines.
With your support, J Street will be pushing for that strong leadership in 2023. Don’t miss your chance to make a matched contribution of $18, $54, $90 or any other amount to fund this work in the year ahead >>
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It’s not just progressives and human rights advocates sounding the alarm.
IDF Chief Aviv Kochavi told Netanyahu he is concerned about a “transfer of power” from security forces to far-right politicians, Haaretz reported.
Former Deputy Attorney General Amit Merari told a parliamentary panel that Netanyahu’s proposed legal reforms “deal real and grave damage to the core principles of democratic rule in the State of Israel.”
Over 1,000 senior Israeli Air Force veterans, including a former IDF Chief of Staff, urged the country’s top legal officials to stand tough against the incoming government, saying they “fear that the democratic state of Israel is in danger.”
As we’ve said before, if patriotic, mainstream Israelis are willing to take a stand against the extremist, anti-democratic and dangerous policies advanced by this new government, then we should expect similar leadership from a White House that has committed itself to equal measures of freedom, security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Friends -- Please consider an end-of-year contribution to J Street to help us push the Biden Administration to stand up for what’s right. Every grassroots donation will be matched. Every donation strengthens our movement >>
Don’t miss out on your chance to make a matched contribution today.
Thank you, sincerely, for your support.
Adina Vogel Ayalon
Chief of Staff, J Street
