Statements

Meretz USA is proud to be a part of “Jews Uniting to End the War & Heal America" (November 2008)

editor — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:54:03 +0000

Meretz USA is proud to take part in this gathering of "Jews Uniting to End the War & Heal America." The US misadventure in Iraq has not only been a bloody disaster for the Iraqi people; it's also been bad for the US, bad for Israel and bad for the Jews. As a progressive Zionist organization, Meretz USA wishes to address how bad the war has been for Israel and the American Jewish community.

The five-year US occupation of Iraq has harmed Israeli interests - emboldening the enemies of Israeli-Arab peace and impeding the progress of peace talks between Israel and its neighbors. With America bogged down in Iraq, the war has expanded the influence of Iran in the region, as well as its rejectionist allies within Lebanon and Palestine. Additionally, the occupation has created new US-Syria antagonisms that have prevented Washington from taking any positive role in the reemerging peace process between Damascus and Jerusalem.

Meretz USA President’s Report – September 7, 2008

editor — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:02:48 +0000

The past 9 months have been the beginning of a transition for Meretz USA in a variety of ways - philosophically, programmatically and in terms of how we run the organization day-to-day.

Philosophically, 2008 has been a year in which we have tried to "push the envelope" by daring to challenge the standard paradigm of American Jewish-Israel relations. Rather than accepting the paralyzing argument that Jews have no right to criticize Israel in public, we have begun to encourage American Jews who care about Israel to talk directly to Israeli decision-makers and let them know what we think about their policies.

A new Zionist discourse

editor — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:02:05 +0000

For years, Meretz USA has been an invaluable source of information, opinion and analysis about Israel and the Middle East. We have hosted lectures and conference calls with prominent figures on the Israeli left. We publish our thoughtful quarterly magazine, Israel Horizons, and a biweekly e-newsletter. We host the Meretz USA blog. We issue press releases and statements, and we continue to conduct our unique annual weeklong seminar in Israel, the "Israel Symposium".

But the one thing we haven't done enough is to let you, our supporters, make your voices
heard on the issues we progressive Zionists care about so deeply.

This is about to change.

Starting today, Meretz USA is launching a new initiative that will let you direct your concerns about Israel straight to the people that matter most: the Israeli decision-makers who are determining that country's future. Take Action Today!

A new Zionist discourse

editor — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:41:16 +0000

Dear Friends,

But the one thing we haven’t done enough is to let you, our supporters, make your voices heard on the issues we progressive Zionists care about so deeply.

This is about to change.

Starting this summer, Meretz USA will be launching a new initiative that will let you direct your concerns about Israel straight to the people that matter most: the Israeli decision-makers who are determining that country’s future.

Meretz USA invites you to join us in a new Zionist discourse. When additional West Bank settlements are built, we will let you tell Israel’s Housing Minister what you think about these obstacles for peace. When members of Knesset try to pass laws that institutionalize discrimination against Israel’s Arab citizens (as they did only recently), we will initiate a campaign that allows you to tell the bill’s sponsors that we can’t rightly defend a policy which severs Zionism from democracy and equal rights.

Of course, we also look forward to campaigns that express support, not only disappointment. If an Israeli Prime Minister bravely moves to dismantle unauthorized West Bank outposts, for example, we’ll want him (or her) to know this step has the support of thousands and thousands of concerned American Jews.

Prime Minister Olmert recently called for a “new paradigm” in the relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. Well we agree, and we are guided in this regard by the clarion words of the late Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg:

“The American Jewish community is torn right now between its love of Israel and its distaste for Israel's policies. We who love Israel have an obligation to say what we believe... We have long lived with the notion that Israeli governments, from right to left, have tried to inculcate in us - that they determine policy, and we are privileged to say amen on cue. This nonsense is now bankrupt.”

Keep your eye out for our leadoff campaign calling on the Housing Minister of Israel to stop building in disputed territory around Jerusalem, and when you receive it, we encourage you to sign on, and then share it widely with your colleagues, friends and family.

It is time for progressive American Jews who care deeply about Israel’s future to tell its leaders what we think – not count on our government to do so on our behalf. It is time to engage with Israel, not turn our backs in despair. It is time for a clear, unapologetic progressive Zionist voice!

Sincerely,

Meretz USA

Meretz USA Salutes Breaking the Silence

editor — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:15:16 +0000

February-March 2008

Meretz USA is co-sponsoring the traveling photo exhibit of the Israeli veterans group, Breaking the Silence. We believe the objectives of Breaking the Silence, as well as this exhibit, are fully in keeping with the spirit of Annapolis, which has renewed direct negotiations between the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to achieve peace and an end to the conflict through the creation of a peaceful Palestinian state.

Statement on Ending the Violence

editor — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:36:16 +0000

March 7, 2008

(click here to view the original Meretz USA weblog posting on the topic)

The brazen murder of eight yeshiva students, mostly teenagers, in a landmark mainstream Orthodox institution in Jerusalem, has convulsed Israel in sadness and outrage. That this has occurred within a week of the massive operation in the Gaza Strip, killing about 120 Palestinians, is no accident. About half, if not more, of this latter toll were of fighters of the terrorist factions, but dozens were non-combatant civilians, including children.

Statement approved by the Meretz USA Executive Board

editor — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:22:32 +0000

12/09/07

The Board of Directors of Meretz USA , an American not-for-profit organization dedicated to the achievement of a full and just peace between Israel and all its neighbors, and most particularly, the Palestinian people, extends its warmest congratulation and support to President George Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the leaders of Israel and the PLO, and all the participants in the recently held meeting at Annapolis convened with the objective of launching intensive negotiations toward the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the creation of a viable, peaceful Palestinian state.

Meretz USA welcomes the Annapolis meeting

editor — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:01:48 +0000

11/20/2007

Meretz USA President Larry Lerner and Chairman Theodore Bikel have sent greetings to all the participants in the meeting

Meretz USA Opposes Decision to Cut Fuel and Electricity to Gaza Strip

editor — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:51:34 +0000

10/31/07

New York, NY...Meretz USA President Larry Lerner has expressed regret over Defense Minister Ehud Barak’s order to begin cutting the fuel and electricity supply to the Gaza Strip. Lerner termed the order, “an unfortunate decision that will only bring greater suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Meretz USA Protests Israel's Decision Not to Take in Additional Darfur Refugees

editor — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:46:50 +0000

08/20/07

New York, NY…. Meretz USA President Larry Lerner and Chairman Theodore Bikel have denounced the Israel government’s agreement with Egypt, which allows it to turn back illegal immigrants – including those from the Darfur region of Sudan – without first ascertaining their refugee status.