J Street is strongly backing Kerry's call for American Jews to support his efforts

[karynnj]

(Their site contains this link to the CSPAN coverage of the Monday speech - http://www.c-span.org/flvPop.aspx?id=10737439881

Here is the main story on their site:

J Street Supports Secretary Kerry's Strong Call for American Jewish Support for Two States

J Street urges American Jews to heed Secretary of State John Kerry’s powerful call to get behind peace efforts and work urgently to secure Israel’s future and democracy through a two-state solution.

In a speech to the American Jewish Committee, Kerry laid out a compelling case for why his efforts to bring Israel and the Palestinians back to peace talks are so vital for both sides, the region and the world.

He said a two-state solution, with the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, was the only viable path that ensured Israel’s future as a democracy and a Jewish homeland and that promised a future of peace and security. The alternative was conflict without end, he said.

“Secretary Kerry’s speech encapsulated everything that J Street believes in and has been working for,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “He laid out a challenge to American Jews to vocalize our support for the two-state solution and in so doing, help secure Israel’s future. It is up to our community, our leaders, activists and members to respond to this charge and fulfill our historic responsibility by joining Kerry’s ‘great constituency for peace’.”

http://jstreet.org/blog/post/j-street-supports-secretary-kerrys-strong-call-for-american-jewish-support-for-two-states_1

Here is the email they sent to their list:



Subject: Wake up!




Yesterday, in a speech to the American Jewish Committee, Kerry made a rousing case that this is the moment to act:

“If we do not succeed now, we may not get another chance. We can’t let the absence of peace become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The absence of peace is perpetual conflict.”

I urge you to read or watch the speech – and to pass it on to all you know who care about Israel: family, friends, community leaders, etc.

Kerry is right. Too many of us – and frankly our friends and family in Israel – have been lulled into a false sense that the status quo is sustainable:

“People who think somehow because there is a fence and because there’s been greater security and fewer people hurt are lulling themselves into a delusion that that somehow can be sustained. It can’t.”

So what can you – and we – do? What is our role as American Jews when the decision to move forward rests with Israeli and Palestinian leaders?

“I ask you today, send the message that you are behind this hopeful vision of what can be. Let your leaders and your neighbors alike know that you understand this will be a tough process with tough decisions, but that you’re ready to back the leaders who make them.

I agree with Secretary Kerry:

“No one has a stronger voice in this than the American Jewish community. You can play a critical part in ensuring Israel’s long-term security. As President Obama said in Jerusalem, leaders will take bold steps only if their people push them to. You can help shape the future of this process. And in the end, you can help Israel direct its destiny and be masters of its own fate.”

J Street is heeding his call and we call on others to join us. It’s time for the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement to call on the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to lead.

Please, join our petition to both leaders today, calling on them to say yes to John Kerry and to engage in meaningful diplomacy to end this conflict.

Take action here: http://bit.ly/14euPTW

Thanks,


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(They have a way to email this from their site, so I assume copying and posting is ok - as their intent is to spread it. The tiny url goes to their petition. I have not seen the speech yet, but clearly will watch it)

[dlwickham]

1. thanks for posting this!

just signed the petition

[karynnj]

2. You are welcome

I am watching the speech now. The American Jewish Conference is NOT some liberal Jewish group. It actually leans right - I think. What is surprising is how much enthusiastic applause he got when speaking things that are far from what AIPAC etc want.

This is a very good Kerry speech - and even his jokes work.