JVP: What's behind all the name calling?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sydney Levy, Jewish Voice for Peace <info@jewishvoiceforpeace.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Subject: What's behind all the name calling?
To: david.chirot@gmail.com

 

Dear David, Do you know what it's like to be called a "virulent anti-Semite" simply for defending the rights of Palestinians? Please make a tax-deductible gift to pursue justice and peace in Palestine and in Israel. Thank you. Chances are that you do. We know what it's like too. Upset about the inclusion of a film about Rachel Corrie at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Koret--one of California's largest Jewish foundations--issued a statement calling movie sponsors Jewish Voice for Peace and the American Friends Service Committee (yes, pacifist Quakers) "virulently anti-Israel, anti-Semitic groups." We need your support to counteract these lies. Jewish Voice for Peace is an organization that includes Israelis, Jewish educators, rabbis, Holocaust survivors and their children and grandchildren. We've written extensively about the issue of anti-Semitism, and our members are an essential part of a burgeoning Jewish cultural and spiritual renaissance. For years, we have defended principled critics of illegal and immoral Israeli actions. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with so many who have braved false, and terribly painful charges of anti-Semitism, in order to speak to a higher moral truth. Heroes like President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Rashid Khalidi, and so many others. Like our Israeli counterparts, we're used to being viciously attacked for our work. But for years, we've co-sponsored films at the Jewish Film festival, and there was nary a peep. What changed? Why now? And how is the backlash here linked to the backlash against pro-democracy activists in Israel? We think it's because now, the world's attention is on settlements, and for the first time in recent memory, a US administration is creating pressure on Israel. That means that this is a historic opportunity and that we need your financial support to take full advantage of this moment. With JVP-organized Congressional visits happening in key districts at this very moment, we are the United States' largest Jewish group calling on Congress to stop US military aid to Israel until Israel investigates war crimes committed in Gaza, and until Israel agrees to abide by U.S. and international law including withdrawing settlements. From Ezra Nawi in the south of Hebron, to New Profile, to the Shministim and more, we are the largest American group providing ongoing support to Israel's nonviolent resistance. We've challenged AIPAC at their annual meeting, and we continue to monitor the right-wing Israel Lobby's unethical tactics in silencing voices of dissent. But we must do more. And all of our work takes money. If you haven't already, please make a donation today. We need to raise $100,000 in the next two months to maintain and expand our campaigns. Your gift of $60, $100, $250 or whatever you can give will help us reach our goal. Thank you in advance,                  Sydney Levy        Chapters and Campaigns Director        Jewish Voice for Peace P.S Jewish Voice for Peace's goal of ending the Occupation is a long-term one. We are in this struggle for as long as it takes, and we need your help. Please make the largest gift you can, today. Every gift is put to good use.

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