American Jews Condemn Trump’s Plan for Permanent Occupation
Trump just released his peace plan, and the moral bankruptcy of America’s role in Israel/Palestine is on full display. This “peace plan” won’t get us any closer to peace, because it was never meant to. After decades of the US giving Israel a blank check, Trump feels emboldened to hand out political favors to Netanyahu under the guise of "peace.”
Unfortunately, many Jewish and political leaders are being receptive to Trump's plan, calling it a starting place for peace.
So we, the grassroots of the American Jewish community, need to be loud and clear: we condemn Trump's plan for permanent occupation. Sign the petition and help us make a strong statement now.
Trump’s entire strategy has been to disenfranchise Palestinians and deny their rights, their agency, and even their identity. Zero Palestinians were invited to the White House meeting about the plan or involved in the fake-process that led to this plan. Palestinians have rejected this plan because they know that it will not result in the freedom that they deserve.
This move is the ultimate distraction, not the ultimate deal: It was timed to help Trump’s friend Netanyahu win reelection and advance his dream of annexing West Bank territory. This plan was intentionally released as the Senate is conducting Trump’s impeachment trial and Netanyahu faces three indictments.
In reality, Trump and Kushner have been implementing their plan almost since taking office by moving the Embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, cutting aid to Palestinian refugees, reversing longtime US policy deeming Israeli settlements illegal, closing the de facto Palestinian embassy in Washington, and issuing an executive order designed to suppress Palestinian student activists and criticism of Israel.
All people of conscience must reject this game and demand that our public officials #DefundOccupation — taking real action that can hold Israel accountable, rather than give its government political cover. With no major Israeli political party supporting the creation of a Palestinian state, and repeated pledges by Netanyahu and Gantz to annex most/all of the occupied West Bank, Israel has made clear it will never relinquish control over the occupied Palestinian territories.
It’s time to #DefundOccupation and put forward a positive vision that can ensure that all Israelis and Palestinians can live with freedom and dignity.