Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Israel Fund Statement: Rejection of J Street from Conference of Presidents

1 May 2014

The New Israel Fund is surprised and disappointed that the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations rejected J Street’s application to join as a member. As one of the community’s most vibrant and successful new organizations, representing the opinions of tens of thousands of American Jews, J Street has been a voice for those who are both pro-Israel and pro-peace. It has been particularly important in attracting young people to an important connection with Israel.

This is another disheartening and shortsighted example of the move away from a broad, inclusive vision of support for Israel by what are supposed to be representative organizations. It is a move away from what every public opinion survey demonstrates is the view of the majority of American Jews who support the vision of a democratic Israel at peace with its neighbors. This is only a victory for those who practice the politics of exclusion on behalf of a narrow and outdated vision of what being pro-Israel means.

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