Israel

Why What Happens in Israel/Palestine Matters to U.S. Citizens

As the newly elected far-right-wing Israeli government tightens its noose around Palestinians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, so too does the noose tighten around U.S. citizens and organizations who dare to criticize Israeli apartheid, occupation, and war crimes. State after state in the United States has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition… Continue Reading Why What Happens in Israel/Palestine Matters to U.S. Citizens

We Should Fight Antisemitism, Not Critics of Israel

We are living at a time of rising instances of virulent anti-Semitism in the United States, endorsed by leading media and political figures. We have just witnessed the reticence of many top Republicans to condemn former President Donald Trump for consorting with rabid Jew haters. In these circumstances, it is natural that people of good… Continue Reading We Should Fight Antisemitism, Not Critics of Israel

University Students and Professors Silenced on Palestine

When I was a student at Oberlin College in the late ’70s, I was encouraged to reach outside myself and become aware of injustices faced by people in our world. I became an activist in the boycott/divest from South Africa movement to free Black South Africans from oppression and apartheid. As was the case at… Continue Reading University Students and Professors Silenced on Palestine

Letter to Rutgers President Holloway

17 January 2022 Dear President Holloway, I write to protest the recent memorandum of understanding that you signed on behalf of Rutgers with Tel Aviv University, as part of the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub. I write as an associate professor in the history department at Rutgers-Newark and as a supporter of Jewish Voice… Continue Reading Letter to Rutgers President Holloway

Once Again, the UN General Assembly Voted to Criticize Israel—Why?

We found this article in Mondoweiss, and thought it would be of interest to our group. Again in 2021, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed 14 resolutions aimed at criticizing Israel (and supporting the Palestinians). On every resolution, only a handful of countries (among them the USA, Canada and a sprinkle of small Pacific… Continue Reading Once Again, the UN General Assembly Voted to Criticize Israel—Why?

B’Tselem Statement against Israeli “Terrorist Organization” Designation

We think our readers will be interested in the statement below from the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem and the ad from more than 20 Israeli civil society organizations that appeared on the front page of Haaretz: Last Friday, Israel’s new government crossed a line that no Israeli government has dared cross before, designating six… Continue Reading B’Tselem Statement against Israeli “Terrorist Organization” Designation

New Jersey State House

NJ Punishes Ben & Jerry’s Parent Company for Principled Stance

[Five years ago, the New Jersey State legislature enacted a measure punishing firms that boycotted Israel or Israeli companies. The bill, S1923, was vigorously opposed by Jewish Voice for Peace of Northern New Jersey, NJ Peace Action, and other organizations supporting Palestinian rights. The ACLU of NJ criticized the bill, a revised bill, and the… Continue Reading NJ Punishes Ben & Jerry’s Parent Company for Principled Stance

Voices for the Voiceless

Member Joe Attamante had this article published in Long Island’s The Island Now newspaper in response to media coverage of heckling and abuse of a high-school honor student whose graduation speech referred to “international dilemmas, including ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and Uighurs”. Events reported in the recent news story, “Wheatley grad’s speech met with backlash… Continue Reading Voices for the Voiceless

NNJ JVP Member Replies to Column

  In response to a column in local Gannett newspapers, our member Tova Fry sent her thoughts to editors at the Daily Record.  She points out that JVP members are part of a new understanding among many U.S. Jews.  Her article, published today, July 9th, 2021, may be found here:  https://www.dailyrecord.com/story/opinion/2021/07/09/jewish-opposition-israeli-oppression-palestinians-growing/7874371002/ (limited free access). Congratulations and… Continue Reading NNJ JVP Member Replies to Column

The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism: A Gift to the Pro-Palestine Movement

The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism is a gift to those of us who are fighting for justice in Palestine, and a blow to the knee-jerk defenders of Israel. Crucial to the defense of Israel’s indefensible policies toward Palestinians is the suppression of free speech. When we criticize Israel, they yell “antisemitism” and try to shut… Continue Reading The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism: A Gift to the Pro-Palestine Movement