You and me against the Billionaires

Details: Published on Sunday, 14 June 2015 21:00; Written by editor

Did you hear about Sheldon Adelson’s “secret summit” last week?

Last week, Adelson and other far-right billionaires gathered at a casino in Vegas to fundraise to try and stop the growing movement for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). Why? Because we’re racking up grassroots victories, and our opponents are running scared.

But we can’t afford to be complacent. Adelson’s summit raised over $20 million to try and fight BDS, and Netanyahu has chipped in another $20 million on behalf of the Israeli government.

Our opponents have deep pockets, and the ear of politicians in the US and abroad. But we’ve got you, Mic.

Can you join us with a $36 donation today?

I don’t want to underestimate what a difficult task we’ve taken on. The ongoing displacement of Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line, the collapse of Israeli politics into the hands of far-right extremists, the intransigence of US policymakers – all of that is real.

But I also know that without a vision we can’t get anywhere at all. And that’s what makes JVP different.

JVP is the only major Jewish organization whose approach to Israel and Palestine is grounded in the most important thing of all: our shared values. The inherent dignity and equality of all people. The necessity of taking principled, non-violent action to make change. And the importance of taking responsibility for our own voices.

And we know that acting from those values is the most strategic way forward.

Here’s what’s true. JVP’s power has doubled or even tripled over the last 12 months. And if you join us now with a $36 donation, we’ll be able to usher in an entirely new era in this justice movement.

We’ve done remarkable things – even in just the last two months.

The #SkiptheSpeech campaign, led by JVP and a broad coalition, made history breaking decades of bipartisan consensus, when nearly 60 Members of Congress boycotted Prime Minister Netanhayu’s speech to a joint session in March.
Our North Carolina chapter won – and then successfully defended – a campaign to force Durham County, NC to sever a 13 year old, $1 million security contract with G4S specifically because of that company’s complicity in Israeli human rights violations.
And in just 48 hours this May, we collected 20,000 signatures on a Thank You letter to hip hop and R&B superstar Lauryn Hill when she made history canceling a Tel Aviv concert after our partners in Palestine and the US asked her not to cross their picket line.

The bottom line is this: JVP is a unique engine of change.

We’re organizing rabbis. Academics. Artists. Thousands of members nationwide. Young adults. We’re organizing on campuses, online, and in ascendant multiracial and interfaith coalitions.

And we need you to be a part of it.

Can you become a JVP donor today with a $36 donation?

With hope and gratitude,

Rebecca Vilkomerson

Executive Director