Friends,
I’m writing to you from Jerusalem, where I’ve just come from the World Zionist Congress where I served as a delegate representing the pro-democracy, pro-peace Hatikvah slate.
With a say in allocating billions of dollars and in managing mechanisms that enable settlement construction, the Congress – known as the “parliament of the Jewish people” – has a huge role to play in the future of Israel, the Jewish people and, of course, the lives of millions of Palestinians.
We locked in one clear victory at the Congress: Our delegation wrote and led the successful passage of a resolution that bans the WZO from any involvement in settlement construction in Gaza.
And when our resolution to block WZO involvement in the major E-1 settlement project in the West Bank was on the verge of passing, right-wing delegates walked out to try to prevent the vote – which we then carried overwhelmingly.
Overall, the resolutions we supported passed and those we opposed failed.
The stakes were high given the historic fork in the road in front of us.
Down one path, an Israeli government of antidemocratic extremists seeks to erode democracy, entrench occupation and perpetuate conflict.
Down the other, the liberal, democratic camp wants to work with Israel’s neighbors to build a future of long-term security, regional integration and shared prosperity.
After more than two long years of pain for Israelis and Palestinians, that path to a better future is still available. The Arab world stands ready to normalize relations with Israel, if Israel is ready to resolve the conflict with the Palestinian people and focus on building a better future.
This Congress sent a message that the majority of the Jewish people wants to choose the path of democracy, pluralism and conflict resolution.
Without question, the challenges ahead are enormous. Anguished families are still waiting for the return of their loved ones’ remains. Outbreaks of violence continue to threaten the fragile ceasefire.
In the West Bank, settler attacks, deportations of peace advocates and demolition orders are daily occurrences.
But through it all, we remain determined to pursue that better path.
We do so not out of naivete or certainty of success, but because we know the other path dooms us to grief and devastation.
There are many who do not want to hear this message – like the right-wing agitators who confronted us as we marched in Jerusalem for peace and security or who tried to prevent the Congress from working by walking out.
But we will not be silenced. J Street will make sure the views and values of millions of liberal Jews are heard – whether in the US Congress or the parliament of the Jewish people.
We will be at the forefront of the fight for an Israel that embodies the ideals of justice, equality, democracy and peace.
These are our values. And I believe not only are they worth fighting for, but that we will prevail.
Yours in determination,
Jeremy Ben-Ami
President, J Street
