Tough love to change the status quo

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Published on Friday, 07 March 2014 21:40

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My decision to join Jewish Voice for Peace last October was an act of “tough love.”

I am a Reconstructionist Jew from Long Island. For most of my life I was active in Jewish and Zionist activities–as a member and leader in many organizations including local Jewish Federations, the New Israel Fund, and J Street.

But I realized: in spite of my years of work in progressive organizations, my donations to left-wing Israeli causes, and a lot of lobbying in Congress, I was, in fact, enabling the status quo.

That’s why I became a card-carrying member of Jewish Voice for Peace.

And whatever your path has been up until today, I certainly hope you’ll join me now. Give $18 and make your membership official!

As I became more involved, my eyes were opened by a combination of factors. My conversations with Palestinians were shocking because I heard firsthand their stories of checkpoints, discrimination, water shortages and poverty.

I became increasingly concerned about Israel’s apparent addiction to the occupation and violating the basic rights of Palestinians. I also had many long and at times difficult discussions with Palestinian and Jewish friends alike about their decisions to boycott Israeli institutions. For years I tried to talk them out of it.

But the constant expansion of settlements simply drove me over the line. I realized that Israel had become addicted to the occupation, and to violating the rights of the very people who had lived there for generations.

Many of us have friends or family who suffer from addiction, and all-too-often it is only when we cut them off, stop enabling their negative behavior that things can actually change.

Jewish Voice for Peace makes it possible for me to do that.

Since I joined JVP I have been pleasantly surprised by how many friends told me that they respect my position. Sure, some disagree, but I hope and pray that the momentum supporting Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions will grow and finally end Israel’s addiction to the occupation, and to violating human rights law with impunity.

And I hope you’ll join me.

A $18 membership gift is exactly what JVP needs to keep our momentum going.

Sincerely,

Seth Morrison
JVP DC Metro Chapter

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