×

We don’t have far-right megadonors – we have you

Unlike groups to our right, we don’t have far-right megadonors making massive donations to push their agenda – we have thousands of supporters like you. Donate now to give voice to your values and push back against the extreme right!

News Roundup for December 9, 2019

December 9, 2019

Receive the roundup in your inbox every morning!

J Street in the News

Trump accused of ‘dipping into a deep well of anti-Semitic tropes’ during speech to Jewish voters, Washington Post
“After billionaire Trump donors Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, introduced the president at the IAC event, Trump soon ‘dipp[ed] into the deep well of anti-Semitic tropes that shape his worldview,’ J Street, a liberal Jewish group, wrote on Twitter Sunday. Trump said, ‘We have to get them to love Israel more, because we have people that are Jewish people that are great people — they don’t love Israel enough.’ While speaking about moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, Trump then appeared to invoke Jewish voters’ wealth while using broad stereotypes to describe their character.”

Jewish Groups Blast Trump’s ‘Anti-Semitic’ Remarks, Warning They Could Have ‘Deadly Consequences’, Newsweek
“He also said ‘a lot of you are in the real estate business, because I know you very well.’ – ‘You’re brutal killers. Not nice people at all, but you have to vote for me, you have no choice,’ he added […] ‘The President of the United States is incapable of addressing Jewish audiences without dipping into the deep well of anti-Semitic tropes that shape his worldview,’ the pro-Israel liberal American group J Street wrote on Twitter.”

U.S. House Opposes Israeli Annexation of West Bank in Landmark Resolution, Haaretz
“The U.S. House of Representatives passed on Friday a resolution opposing Israeli annexation of the West Bank. This is the first time such a resolution has passed in U.S. Congress, and while it is not legally binding, it displays growing opposition among the Democratic Party to the policies of Prime Minister Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition […] J Street also welcomed the passage of the resolution: ‘Coming at the end of a week in which President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly discussed potential Israeli annexation of the Jordan Valley, this vote sends a clear message that Congress strongly opposes such efforts to undermine the prospects for a two-state solution.’”

In rebuke to Trump and Netanyahu, US House passes resolution supporting 2 states, Times of Israel
“The measure was lauded by the liberal Zionist group J Street, which called it a ‘landmark resolution.’ — ‘With this vote, the majority of lawmakers have rejected the Trump administration’s embrace of the Israeli settlement movement’s agenda, which undermines US interests, imperils Israel’s future and tramples on Palestinian rights,’ said Jeremy Ben-Ami, the group’s president […] J Street has been advocating for the resolution for months. At the organization’s national conference in October, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly voiced her support for the measure.”

‘Vile and bigoted remarks’: Left-leaning Jewish groups accuse Trump of anti-Semitic stereotypes, USA Today
“‘The President of the United States is incapable of addressing Jewish audiences without dipping into the deep well of anti-Semitic tropes that shape his worldview,’ the liberal-leaning group J Street said in a tweet.”

Trump Criticized by Jewish Groups Again for ‘Anti-Semitic Tropes’ in Speech, Daily Beast
“Jewish advocacy group J Street tweeted that the president is ‘incapable of addressing Jewish audiences without dipping into the deep well of anti-Semitic tropes that shape his worldview.’”

Trump Slammed For Insisting ‘Killer’ Real Estate Jews Will Back Him To Save Their Wealth, Huffington Post
“Progressive Jewish advocacy group J Street tweeted that Trump is ‘incapable of addressing Jewish audiences without dipping into the deep well of anti-Semitic tropes that shape his worldview.’”

Jewish groups denounce Trump’s ‘vile’ remarks at Israeli-American Council, The Hill
“Left-leaning Jewish advocacy group J Street similarly hit the president over his speech. ‘The President of the United States is incapable of addressing Jewish audiences without dipping into the deep well of anti-Semitic tropes that shape his worldview,’ the group tweeted Sunday.”

Trump Is ‘Vile, Bigoted’: Jewish Groups Slam President’s Anti-Semitic Remarks, International Business Times
“J Street later said, ‘We’re not going to hold our breath waiting for Trump’s supporters to speak out. We are going to work tirelessly to defeat this president and those who’ve enabled him 11 months from now.’”

Democrats pass two-state resolution in Congress, JTA
J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group, backed the resolution. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee had no position.

Jewish groups slam Trump’s remarks as antisemitic tropes, The Jerusalem Post
J Street tweeted, ‘The President of the United States is incapable of addressing Jewish audiences without dipping into the deep well of antisemitic tropes that shape his worldview.’

J Street Welcomes Passage of Landmark House Resolution Opposing West Bank Annexation, Affirming Support for Two-State Solution, J Street
“The landmark resolution, introduced by Reps. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Karen Bass (D-CA) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), passed with the overwhelming support of House Democrats, along with several House Republicans. “

Top News and Analysis

Elections to be held on March 2 if no coalition formed, Times of Israel
Blue and White and Likud have agreed that the next round of elections will be held on Monday, March 2, 2020, barring a last-minute coalition deal in the next two days.

House Resolution on Annexation Is a Wake-up Call for Israel and Netanyahu, Haaretz
Chemi Shalev writes, “The agreement of the Democratic majority to approve a resolution that advocates a two-state solution and, more significantly, expresses opposition to ‘unilateral annexation of territory’ is a watershed event. It marks a line in the sand. And, to mix metaphors, it sends a shot across the bow to Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli right, dispelling their illusion that their planned annexation of the Jordan Valley can be carried out with no risk and cost-free. “

Gantz: Elections can still be averted, but no forgiveness for corruption, Times of Israel
Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz said Sunday night there was “still hope that we’ll manage to avoid needless elections,” with three days left until the Knesset is automatically disbanded if no government is formed. But Gantz once again rejected as “spin” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for a direct vote for the premiership — one that would leave the Knesset’s party makeup as it is.

News

Luxembourg said pushing for EU states to recognize Palestine, Times of Israel
The report said Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn sent a letter to new EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and to EU foreign ministers, saying the only way to save the two-state solution was to create “a more equitable situation” between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israeli Generals’ Newest Headache: Defense Chief’s Boasts About Killing Iranians, Haaretz
Military and defense officials have been taken by surprise on a near-daily basis by Naftali Bennett’s statements, which are not coordinated in advance and sometimes run counter to Israeli security policy.

Israel strikes Hamas targets in Gaza after rockets fired at Sderot, JTA
Two of the rockets fired on Saturday night at the southern Israeli city of Sderot were shot down by the Iron Dome missile defense system. There were no reports of injury or damage.

Sa’ar met with cheers and boos at Likud summit; party scraps primaries for slate, Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s challenger for the leadership of Likud, MK Gideon Sa’ar, was given a raucous reception Sunday, as he spoke at a meeting of the party’s Central Committee, with cheers from supporters and boos from allies of the premier.

Trump: if Jared Kushner can’t achieve peace in Middle East, ‘it can’t be done’, The Guardian
If Jared Kushner cannot achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Donald Trump claimed on Saturday, “it can’t be done”.

Israel Halts Veteran Lone Soldiers’ Stipends: ‘There’s No Government, So There’s No Money’, Haaretz
Hundreds of Diaspora Jews who have volunteered to serve in the Israeli army and were recently discharged have stopped receiving their basic veteran stipends. The reason, as many discovered following lengthy inquiries: With no functioning government in Israel, the Defense Ministry is not authorized to transfer the money to them.

Opinion and Analysis

Trump Enthralls Adelson Assembly, Repels American Jews and Sticks a Dagger in AIPAC, Haaretz
Chemi Shalev writes, “The president’s 45-minute self-laudatory speech to IAC had two glaring omissions: Right-wing anti-Semitic violence and one Benjamin Netanyahu.”

My Cousin Mohammed Abukhdeir’s Murder – And The Jews Who Mourned Him – Changed Me Forever, The Forward
Kefah Abukhdeir writes, “My life changed in unexpected ways after Mohammed’s murder. My family changed. My views changed. Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched the attack against Gaza, finally seems to be nearing the end of his reign. This, and a recent HBO series about that summer, has me thinking about those changes.”

Palestinians find the ICC is not the home turf they thought it would be, Times of Israel
Jacob Magid writes, “As international court’s preliminary investigation into ‘situation in Palestine’ drags into fifth year, Ramallah realizes it could find itself probed right alongside Israel.”

This Palestinian Came From Canada With a Dream – Israeli Settlers and the Army Came Together to Thwart It, Haaretz
Amira Hass writes, “Khaled Al Sabawi had a vision — developing affordable building lots in the West Bank to Palestinians. But sales stopped almost completely due to settlers’ harassment and the pressure they put on the army.”