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A Huge First Step for J Street Local

Posted: Feb 2, 2010

J Street Local held kick-off events in 21 cities on February 4th. The events were packed to the gills with nearly 2,000 new and veteran activists, ready to struggle for change. Watch Jeremy Ben-Ami's remarks, live streamed from Philadelphia, below.

NOTE: This event was not sponsored by or endorsed by Penn Hillel or the Hillel of Greater Philadelphia.

More links:
[Find, and get involved with, a Local near you]
[J Street Local Press Coverage]
[Slideshow of pictures from J Street Local launch events]
[Text of Jeremy Ben-Ami's remarks at February 4th Launch events]

Swiftboating Israel's Democracy

Posted: Feb 2, 2010

Israel's democracy and those who defend its commitment to basic civil rights are under attack - and we need to fight back right now.

Growing crackdowns by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem against peaceful political activists. Leading Israeli feminists threatened with charges for the "crime" of holding a prayer service at the Western Wall.

Swiftboat style ads, funded by extremist groups based in the States and reminiscent of propaganda from the darkest days of Jewish history, attacking pro-civil rights, pro-human rights, pro-democracy activists in Israeli papers. Alan Dershowitz inciting against a political opponent, calling him "evil" and a "traitor" to the Jewish people on Israeli Army Radio.

Those of us who believe that Israel should be a symbol of Jewish and democratic values in action must fight back right now. The very character and quality of Israel's democracy and civil society is under threat.

Click here to sign our open letter in support of Israel's democracy and civil society.

We'll deliver the letter to the organizations and individuals who need to hear our pro-Israel message.

Statement on Return of Goldstone Report to UN Consideration

February 05, 2010

As the Goldstone Report returns to the agenda of the United Nations, J Street remains opposed to one-sided and biased action at the United Nations based on the Report.

Jeremy Ben-Ami's Remarks at J Street Local Launch

February 05, 2010

Check out J Street Executive Director Jeremy Ben-Ami's remarks at the launch of J Street Local on February 4th. The remarks were simulcast from Philadelphia to 20 other launch events around the country.

About J Street

J Street is the political arm of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement. We seek to change the direction of American policy in the Middle East and to broaden the public and policy debate in the U.S. about the Middle East. We support strong American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts peacefully and diplomatically...

J Street