Jewish Voice for Peace Hits Anti-Semite Slurs

Suppose you are called an anti-Semite at Daily Kos or some such place in the blogosphere for opposing U.S.-Israeli militarism. Happened to me twice, and recently in a Wisconsin blog.

But I'm in good company that includes Jewish Voice for Peace, the American Friends Service Committee, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Noam Chomsky among many other human rights activists.

Jewish Voice for Peace is fighting back.

Sydney Levy, of Jewish Voice for Peace, asks, "Do you know what it's like to be called a 'virulent anti-Semite' simply for defending the rights of Palestinians? Chances are that you do."

Writes Levy:

We know what it's like too.

Upset about the inclusion of a film about Rachel Corrie at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Koret--one of California's largest Jewish foundations--issued a statement calling movie sponsors Jewish Voice for Peace and the American Friends Service Committee (yes, pacifist Quakers) 'virulently anti-Israel, anti-Semitic groups.'

We need your support to counteract these lies.

Jewish Voice for Peace is an organization that includes Israelis, Jewish educators, rabbis, Holocaust survivors and their children and grandchildren. We've written extensively about the issue of anti-Semitism, and our members are an essential part of a burgeoning Jewish cultural and spiritual renaissance.

For years, we have defended principled critics of illegal and immoral Israeli actions. We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with so many who have braved false, and terribly painful charges of anti-Semitism, in order to speak to a higher moral truth. Heroes like President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Rashid Khalidi, and so many others.

Like our Israeli counterparts, we're used to being viciously attacked for our work. But for years, we've co sponsored films at the Jewish Film festival, and there was nary a peep. What changed? Why now?And how is the backlash here linked to the backlash against pro-democracy activists in Israel?

We think it's because now, the world's attention is on settlements, and for the first time in recent memory, a US administration is creating pressure on Israel. That means that this is a historic opportunity and that we need your financial support to take full advantage of this moment.

With JVP-organized Congressional visits happening in key districts at this very moment, we are the United States' largest Jewish group calling on Congress to stop US military aid to Israel until Israel investigates war crimes committed in Gaza, and until Israel agrees to abide by U.S. and international law including withdrawing settlements.

From Ezra Nawi in the south of Hebron, to New Profile, to the Shministim and more, we are the largest American group providing ongoing support to Israel's nonviolent resistance.

We've challenged AIPAC at their annual meeting, and we continue to monitor the right-wing Israel Lobby's unethical tactics in silencing voices of dissent.

But we must do more. And all of our work takes money. If you haven't already, please make a donation today. We need to raise $100,000 in the next two months to maintain and expand our campaigns. Your gift of $60, $100, $250 or whatever you can give will help us reach our goal.