Friend,
As supporters of Israeli democracy and advocates of Israeli-Palestinian peace, we see this as a time of crisis. With boiling resentment in the occupied West Bank and Netanyahu’s far-right government intent on inflaming things further, a dire situation has gotten even worse.
Violence has escalated: Last month saw one of the worst terror attacks in decades, as seven Israelis were shot and killed outside an East Jerusalem synagogue on Shabbat. For Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, January was the deadliest month in seven years.
Democracy is in peril: Over 130,000 Israelis have taken to the streets to protest the Netanyahu government’s radical plans to destroy the independence of Israel’s Supreme Court and judicial system.
J Street is focused on sounding the alarm about these dangers -- and pushing our own elected leaders here in the US to take action. Both the Biden Administration and Congress need to publicly and strongly push back against destructive policies that undercut our core interests and shared values. They must champion an alternative path of diplomacy and peace.
At this time of crisis, “business as usual” simply won’t work. As the political home for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans, we’re proud to give voice to the large majority of our community who are deeply worried about Israel’s future -- and aren’t afraid to stand up to the new government’s extremism.
Read more about how our movement is working to meet this moment below.
Thank you,
Logan Bayroff
Vice President of Communications
AROUND J STREET
Responding to Violence and Terror, Pushing for US Action
In the wake of the horrific attack in Neve Yaakov, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and every Israeli mourning the loss and fearing greater escalation. Acts of terror and violence against civilians are never acceptable and only lead to more pain, suffering and loss. Read our full statement responding to the attack here.
Just prior to the attack, responding to the broader escalation of violence ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to the region, we noted the critical importance of American leadership to help head off disaster -- and break the cycle of endless conflict and deepening occupation.
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami wrote that “without intervention, destructive impulses and ideologies focused on revenge and retaliation, on punishment and control, will continue to make the lives of Israelis and Palestinians worse, year after year.”
Read Jeremy’s full reflection on the escalation here >>
Take Action: Urge President Biden to Stand Up to The Far-Right’s Extreme Agenda
From advancing a plan to undermine the Israeli Supreme Court's independence to threatening to unlawfully evict over 1,000 Palestinians from the West Bank communities of Masafer Yatta, Netanyahu and his far-right ministers have moved quickly to circumvent Israel’s democratic safeguards and supercharge demolitions and settlement growth in the West Bank.
As Israel’s closest ally and a champion of democracy at home and abroad, the US needs to respond. In a recent petition, we told President Biden: “Your administration has rightly criticized some of these moves, but it’s time to go beyond ‘business as usual.’ Netanyahu and his extremist partners need to face clear red lines.”
Sign the petition here >>
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to Hold Exclusive Discussion with Jeremy Ben-Ami
J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami’s upcoming conversation with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Wednesday, February 8 couldn’t come at a more timely moment.
The event is part of J Street’s new, exclusive Word on the Street conversation series, available exclusively to top supporters and recurring monthly donors. For your invitation to next week’s event, and access to previous Word on the Street events on demand, simply set a monthly recurring donation to J Street of $10 or more via ActBlue – or learn more about joining our National Leadership Circle.
Important New Resources from the J Street Policy Center
With so much happening on the ground in Israel and the Palestinian Territory, it can be hard to keep up. With timely new factsheets and explainers, the J Street Policy Center is here to help. Over the past month, the Policy Center has released:
- An action memo on the right-wing plan to demolish and displace the West Bank Palestinian communities of Masafer Yatta -- and how the US can take action to prevent it.
JStreetPAC Launches New and Improved Website
Since 2008, thousands of J Street supporters have used JStreetPAC to join our collective mission to elect more pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy candidates -- pooling donations under the JStreetPAC banner to send a message to Washington about our values and priorities.
Ahead of the 2024 cycle, we’re thrilled to unveil a powerful new platform to grow our movement, bring new members into the fold, and transform our politics for the better. With transaction fees 1-3% lower than ActBlue, a faster checkout process, new direct debit, Apple Pay and Google Wallet payment options, and a new monthly giving feature, we can’t wait for our supporters to check it out.
Visit the new JStreetPAC website here >>
Our Israel: The Adam Institute
Throughout the worlds of civil society, business, science, culture and beyond, many Israelis are achieving great things while also pursuing a more just, peaceful and democratic future for their country. J Street is proud to highlight their critical work through our Our Israel profile series.
The Adam Institute is an educational organization that works to create a culture of peace, mutual respect, tolerance and co-existence in Israel and the region. “We’ve had to figure out creative ways we can fight without losing ourselves and our values. Action will never take place without awareness,” explains Executive Director Dr. Maroshek-Klarman. Read the full profile here >>
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