JStreet Conference, Washington DC.
Dear Friends!
It’s an honor and a privilege to be here…
I attended your first-ever convention 10 years ago, and the work you have been doing since is utterly remarkable. J-Street has become a beacon of true and just values, and of effective progressive politics – not only for the American Jewish community, and not just as an ally for us, progressive and pro-peace Israelis. You became an important player in the US national political scene, affecting all Americans, and millions of others around the world. And for that I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart…
Nevertheless, our common goal is not yet achieved. Ending occupation and promoting the two states solution for Israelis and Palestinians seem far and difficult. You are trying to harness American foreign policy to that end and that is essential.
In order to succeed in this important battle we fight, we must see the bigger picture, and this picture is about democracy.
We are fighting to save democracy,
We are fighting to stop racism, discrimination, lies and deception.
We are fighting to stop Fascism.
All over the world – in Europe, in Latin America, in Asia, and yes, in Israel and in the United States, we face a Tsunami of hatred and bigotry, led by rulers who have no red lines.
These are people and political movements, full of contempt to democratic values. For them, these values and institutions – the free media, the rule of law, the free-spirited culture, the freedom of speech, equality – all this, for them, is a nuisance, an obstacle which should be pushed out of the way. All these values are regarded by them as limiting, whereas they strive for power without limits.
For us, Israelis and American Jews, this is a crucial battle.
In Israel, Netanyahu and his extreme right wing allies are pushing aggressively, for annexation of all of the Palestinian west bank,
for religious coercion,
for racist legislation,
And of course for securing themselves endless term in power.
The very essence of the Zionist vision – a Jewish and democratic state – is in danger. Annexation, coercion, and racism would be the end of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic nation.
In the US, the Jewish community is facing growing and unprecedented antisemitism and violence. This passing year was the most violent in the history of this community: Twelve (12) people were murdered in two synagogues, many others wounded, hundreds of antisemitic incidents all across America. Can we really close our eyes and say that there is no connection between all this hate, and what happened in American politics since the last presidential campaign?!
Those people attacking synagogues in Pittsburgh and San Diego, and people attacking a synagogue in Halle, Germany, on Yom Kippur – are one and same. And it is the same people, same criminals, who burn a Palestinian boy in Jerusalem to his death.
There aren’t “many sides” to that, as your President put it after Charlottesville, Virginia. There are only two sides: either you are for democracy, for human rights, for peace, or you are against it. And each and every person in the US, in Israel, in France or in Brazil, should ask himself and herself: where do I stand? Which side am I supporting?
This is the same fight and the same challenge in Israel and in the US. You cannot separate the fight against antisemitism from the fight for democratic values. It’s the same front.
You cannot fight against antisemitism and be quite when muslims or gay people are targeted. One, let’s say an average American jew, cannot say “I’m against racism in New York but I keep quiet about racism in Israel”. No, this is the same battle!
And one, let’s say an average Israeli, cannot say “I feel strongly for freedom and tolerance and for my free secular lifestyle in Tel Aviv, but I don’t care about diminishing freedoms elsewhere in the world”. No, this is the same battle everywhere. The same forces are in motion here and in Israel – sometimes even the same people and same money. And in order to counter and defeat them we have to be much more active, and do it together!
It’s a two way street, my JStreet friends: Israelis should be active, present and vocal in your struggle here against racism and antisemitism. We should not follow Netanyahu’s Foreign policy in putting all the eggs in one right-wing Republican basket.
All those tweets and statements by Trump that glorified nationalists and insulted American Jews – “voting Democrat was “disloyal”, he said… and the Israeli leadership mumbled some words of sympathy but took pains to shield Trump and his incitement from any blame. NO! We should act differently!
Bi-partisan support is essential to Israel. The US Democratic party is a valued friend of Israel, of civil liberties, and thus a home for so many jewish Americans over the past century. Israel must bridge the gap with the democratic party, a gap created under Netanyahu. By the way, banning American Congress-women from entering Israel is NOT the way to do it…
At the same time – American friends of Israel should not follow Trump’s lead in giving Netanyahu, the settlers and the coersists, a green light for annexation and discrimination.
What should be done? Work together with the Israeli left, be who you are, let us be who we are: progressive, left wing, defenders of democracy! Together!
Let us work together on the two states’ solution, but also: on minority rights, on LGBT rights (as it happens I am the first head of a party in Israel who is openly gay – there should be more!). Let’s work together on freedom of religion and freedom from religion. There are so many things we can achieve mutually!
Finally – Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Here and in Israel we see strong movements resisting hate and corruption.
We have to seize the opportunity and form a new government in Israel, based on the centre-left parties, including the Joint List – yes, it’s time to include the Arab citizens in the government, because there is no future to Israel without a Jewish-Arab partnership.
Therefore I call upon Benny Gantz, head of Kachol-Lavan: Benny, do not fall into Netanyahu’s trap, there is no “unity” with the Likud, which is today an extreme right wing party. Bibi should go home and face his trial.
Benny, Live up to the moment, Carpe Diem – Seize the day, and form a government with the forces that support you – with the Labor party, with us – the Democratic Union, and with the Joint List, so that we can have a government of change: a government that will restart the peace process, fight racism and bigotry, reinforce social justice and Tikkun Olam – this is the meaning of Jewish values, this is the real jewish courage –
ואהבת לרעך כמוך
“What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: this is the whole Torah״ – said Hillel the elder. Let us follow that, so we could all be proud in our beloved Israel!
And friends, we shall overcome, because as Martin Luther King said – “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." He said this for the first time I think in a sermon at “Temple Israel” of Hollywood, 1965. So let me conclude with the words of Rabbi Max Nussbaum, on that day with rev. King at “Temple Israel”: “I hope that together we may move away from the mountain of hatred and prejudice, toward the large and glorious valley of human brotherhood.”
תודה רבה לכם!
Thank you very much!