Many of you have heard by now of the public relations campaign being waged against the Knesset's investigation of J Street, and against Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision not to meet with Jeremy Ben-Ami. In an effort to bring some balance to the proceedings, I, too, have created a petition of sorts, which you can send to members of the Israeli government expressing support for their position.
If you agree that "Israel knows best what is best for Israel" (rather than J Street), please copy and paste this letter (along with edits as you see fit) to the email addresses below.
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I wish to express my support of the Israeli Knesset's right to investigate an organization it as it sees fit. Specifically, I refer to the Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption and Public Diplomacy Committee decision to investigate the activities of the J Street.
Just as J Street enjoys the right to criticize the Israeli government, surely the Israeli government reserves the right to deem whether an organization can be considered "pro-Israel" or not. Most importantly, such a designation must be based on actions, rather than on slogans.
I believe it is at the very least fair to question the motives and intentions of any organization which urges the U.S. government to abstain from its veto of a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel. I believe that Israel knows best what is best for Israel -- not J Street.
And I truly believe -- despite its rhetoric -- that J Street does not represent a majority of American Jewry, or even a particularly large segment of it. While the organization is "vocal" it seems that much of their support, political as well as financial, comes from sources outside of the American Jewish community. J Street certainly does not represent me.
I have great respect for the unique challenges that the State of Israel faces, and it is my hope that our governments -- democracies both -- continue to grow together and to flourish in these difficult times.
Respectfully,
[sign here, and enter contact info]
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At the very least, please forward this email to Kadima MK Otniel Schneller, who has sponsored the hearing. (His email address is oschneller@knesset.gov.il ) Email addresses of other MKs can be found here. It might also be helpful to send this email to Kadima and Labor Party members.
Remember, unlike some organizations, we don't have the benefit of George Soros funding us, nor do we make use of Salsa Lab's fancy online email-blast platform. This is true grass-roots organization at its finest -- crude, but effective.
Don't delay -- send your email now!!!