Young Jews come to DC to challenge right-wing Israel lobby group Aipac as part of Move Over AIPAC protests.
Young Jews come to DC to challenge right-wing Israel lobby group Aipac as part of Move Over AIPAC protests.
Members of national group Jewish Voice for Peace promise creative actions highlighting abuses against Palestinians.
Contacts: Jesse Bacon, jesse at jvp.org,
Hanna King, hking1 AT swarthmore.edu,
[May 20, 2011-Washington, D.C.] Members of Young, Jewish, and Proud, the young adult wing of Jewish Voice for Peace, have arrived in Washington D.C. as part of the Move Over AIPAC gathering. They were responsible for the widely debated protests that disrupted the speech of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Jewish General Assembly in New Orleans last November in which they said “The Occupation delegitimizes Israel.”
Inspired by the democratic uprisings sweeping the Arab World, members of Young, Jewish, and Proud called for respect for democracy at home and abroad. They decried what they called “bluewashing, the practice of cloaking human rights abuses against Palestinians in Jewish traditions and culture.” They called for a US foreign policy based on peace, democracy, human rights and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. They called on older generations in the Jewish community to stop supporting or enabling the ongoing violation of Palestinian rights or risk losing the support of much of an entire generation.
Hanna King, 17, Swarthmore College, “We are the next generation of American Jews, raised on the values of human rights and dignity, and we will apply those values to all peoples, including Palestinians. AIPAC’s support of Israel’s repressive policies is an embarrassment, and we have a responsibility to voice our strongest dissent. The legacy of the Jewish people is ours to carry forward, and we are doing so with pride. AIPAC does not represent us.”
Jesse Bacon, editor of Jewish Voice for Peace blog, The Only Democracy? “We are gathering to challenge AIPAC’s overwhelming dominance over US foreign policy in Israel and Palestine and to say: Move over AIPAC and recognize our diverse Jewish communities and identities for what they are! We are Young, Jewish, and Proud and we won't let AIPAC promote U.S. support for over 4 decades of an illegal and brutal Israeli Occupation which denies the human rights of Palestinians. They don’t represent Jews, and they don’t represent the best interests of Americans, Palestinians or Israelis. We support democracy for all people, and we want it in our own Jewish communities on this issue.”
Shira Wolf, Member of Jews for Human Rights in Baltimore, “We have a new word to describe what Aipac does- "bluewashing," which is the use of Jewish culture, religion and heritage to mask human rights abuses against Palestinians, while endangering Jews in Israel and around the world. Aipac purports to be the "pro-Israel" lobby but is in fact a powerful lobby for weapons manufacturers. Aipac gives the incorrect impression to many people including members of congress that it speaks for all Jewish Americans. It doesn't, and many young Jews like myself are especially alienated by its behavior. Policies such as unconditional US support for even the most right wing Israeli governments are harmful to Palestinians and to Israelis and do not speak for us. Neither does perpetual occupation and settlement growth, which is a path to more violence, destruction and death with no peaceful resolution.”
VIdeo and audio of creative Young, Jewish, and Proud actions will be available throughout the 5-day gathering. Email jesse AT jvp.org to make sure you are informed.