5.19.2020
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As supporters of J-Link, the international network of progressive Jewish organizations, we urgently share our deep concerns, backed by the analysis of diplomatic and security experts, regarding the Government of Israel’s intention to proceed with annexation of parts of the West Bank.
Only a short time remains to convince the Government of Israel to halt this ill-advised move. With the abetment of the Trump administration, Prime Minister Netanyahu is perpetuating the myth that reality on the ground supersedes international law.
This is the moment that Israelis need to consider the consequences to their security and international relations, as a result of unilateral annexation.
Notably, a petition signed by 220 former senior officers of the army, the Mossad and the police who are members of Commanders for Israel’s Security stated that annexation will set in motion a chain reaction over which Israel will have no control, leading to the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. This in turn would require Israel to take full control over the entire West Bank and assume responsibility for the lives of 2.6 million Palestinians.
The coalition agreement signed by Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister Gantz includes articles that enable the incoming government to expedite the process of annexation as of July 1st. Despite an acknowledgment of the need to discuss the matter with the international community, the only binding commitment in the agreement is coordination of the move with the U.S. Administration. As was the case with President Trump’s “Peace to Prosperity” plan, the Palestinians have no say in the matter.
It is worth noting that Article 28 of the Coalition Agreement mentions the government’s intention “to strive to uphold existing peace agreements,” indicating that Jordan and Egypt may have leverage over this decision.
For the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, heavily populated by Palestinian refugees, annexation risks destabilization that could endanger the government and compel it to reconsider its peace treaty with Israel. Israel’s peace treaty with Egypt would also be put in jeopardy. Moreover, Israel’s actions are already straining its relations with democratic countries around the world.
Unilateral annexation is illegal under international law and contravenes all relevant UN Security Council resolutions pertaining to the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly UNSC Resolution 2334 of Dec. 2016. If implemented, annexation will signify the demise of the two-state solution and will dash any hopes the Palestinian people have of achieving self-determination through nonviolent means. Furthermore, annexation could turn Israel into a state that maintains permanent control over millions of Palestinians within its territory — while denying them the most basic civil and political rights — thereby putting an end to democracy in Israel as we know it.
Such action risks provoking a mounting tide of delegitimization of Israel and further bouts of antisemitism. Annexation will also jeopardize relations between Israel and progressive Jews around the world for whom human rights, equality and democracy are essential principles.
Please join us in our call to all who care about Israel’s future to take immediate action to convince the government and people of Israel that the price to be paid for annexation will be too heavy for Israel to bear.
J-Link Coordinating Committee
Please reply to: J-Link Office (Jlinkoffice@gmail.com)
50 Organizational Signers from 17 Countries:
Ameinu Australia
Ameinu Canada
Ameinu United States
Americans for Peace Now
Argentinos Amigos de PAZ AHORA
Amogos Brasileiros Do Paz Agora (Brazil)
Canadian Friends of Peace Now
Casa de Cultura (Uruguay)
Centro Progresista judio CPJ (Chile)
Centre Communautaire Laïc Juif (Belgium)
Cercle Martin Buber Geneva (Switzerland)
Gruppo Martin Buber- ebrei per la pace (Italy)
Habonim Dror North America
Habonim Dror South Africa
Hashomer Hatzair World Movement
J-AMLAT (Latin America)
JCall Europe
JCall Belgium
JCall France
JCall Italy
JCall Spain
JCall Switzerland
Jewish Democratic Initiative (South Africa)
Jewish Labor Committee (United States)
Jewish Labour Movement (United Kingdom)
JSpace Canada
J Street (United States)
La paix maintenant (Peace Now), France
Llamamiento Argentino Judio (Argentina)
Meretz Argentina
Meretz France
Meretz UK
Meretz Uruguay
Mujeres activan por la paz (Argentina)
Netzer South Africa
New Israel Fund (Australia)
New Israel Fund (Austria)
New Israel Fund (Canada)
New Israel Fund (Germany)
New Israel Fund (United Kingdom)
New Israel Fund (United States)
New Israel Fund (Switzerland)
Partners for Progressive Israel (United States)
Policy Working Group (Israel)
Reconstructing Judaism (United States)
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (United States)
Smol Talk Mexico
Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights (United States)
Union Jovenes judios Argentinos (Argentina)
Yachad (United Kingdom)
What is J-Link?
J-Link is an international network of progressive Jewish organizations from Israel, the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, South Africa, and Australia. We share a love of Israel and a commitment to democracy, human rights, religious pluralism, and a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. J-Link aspires to work with our respective local Jewish communities, our national governments and international organizations to advocate for our values and vision for Israel.
