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2 Mar, 2012

AIPAC Supports War on Iran, U.S. Jews Don’t

Urgent Message From Cecilie Surasky, Deputy Director, Jewish Voice for Peace

I don’t have much time, and I need your help.

In just a few days, thousands of AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) supporters will gather in Washington DC for their annual policy conference billed as “three of the most important days affecting Israel’s future.” President Obama, Newt Gingrich, Prime Minister Netanyahu and most members of Congress will be there, thinking they are talking to America’s Jews.

But you and I have a chance, right now, to let them know that’s not true.

I won’t be in the room. And neither will you. In fact, most American Jews, our friends and relatives will not be in that room—and with damned good reason. Because AIPAC doesn’t want us there. AIPAC wants the leaders they’ve assembled to think that their support for bombing Iran and unconditional aid to Israel is the Jewish point of view. We can’t let that happen.

That’s why I want you to join me in showing the world leaders attending the conference a message, loud and clear. “AIPAC doesn’t represent me. It doesn’t represent you. And it doesn’t represent millions of Jews who can’t bear the increasing violence perpetrated in our name.” Here’s how:

Starting Monday, March 5, Jewish Voice for Peace has rented a giant truck so that when members of Congress go to the AIPAC Gala, or when their staffers show up for work the same morning they are flooded with thousands of volunteer AIPAC lobbyists, they’ll get our message:

AIPAC speaks for AIPAC, not for the Jews.
AIPAC supports war with Iran. American Jews don’t.

The truck driving around the conference grounds will make it clear that AIPAC doesn’t represent us. Not when they bang the drums of war with Iran, not when they support Israel’s occupation, not when they intimidate members of Congress, and not when they ask for unconditional military aid for Israel.

I want your name on that truck. We only have 75 hours to gather as many name as possible to leave no doubt that there might be a few thousands AIPAC supporters inside the conference, but there are hundreds of thousands outside of it, in every way. Will you add your name?

I’m sending this March 2 and we’re hoping to get 1,000 names by 1 pm on Monday. Please, click here to join us, and please circulate this request.

Sincerely,

Cecilie Surasky, Deputy Director
Jewish Voice for Peace

P.S. If you don’t want to add your name but do want to help us pay for the truck, go here.