Dear Friends:
Soon, we will learn how President-elect Donald Trump plans to approach the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the numerous challenges facing American and Israeli interests in the Middle East.
If his appointment of Stephen Bannon – someone who led an extremist publication that has promoted expressions of hate toward all sorts of minority groups – as his chief political strategist is any indication, American Jews have much cause for concern beyond only trying to divine President-elect Trump’s approach to Israel. The ugly anti-Semitism that was unleashed during the campaign has been even more apparent since the election, and we share in the deep concern so many have about President-elect Trump’s decision to promote someone who has purveyed ugly and divisive rhetoric to one of the top positions in the White House.
We will also soon find out if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu genuinely fears the risk of Israel becoming a binational state, as he has repeatedly said, or if he will join those in his coalition who have abandoned Israel’s official position which supports two states. The latter would have immediate and potentially disastrous consequences for the region.
We anticipate challenges to the resiliency of American Jews and of our family, friends and colleagues inside Israel, the majority of whom still believe that without a responsible path to a two-state solution, the security of the State of Israel will be threatened, its future as a Jewish and democratic state will be put in jeopardy, and the long-term stability of the U.S.-Israel alliance, rooted in bipartisanship, could be irrevocably shaken.
We at IPF will continue to stand with the majority of American Jews and Israelis who support a two-state solution, Israeli security, and a strong US-Israel relationship. Webelieve those goals should be supported by both Democrats and Republicans alike. While we believe that the intensification of the political, denominational, and generational divides of the American Jewish community is detrimental to promoting our goals regarding Israel and the US-Israel relationship, the divides that are being stoked within American society have become a more pressing and alarming problem.
Right now, the road ahead to achieving our mission is as murky as it has ever been, both in light of the political situation in Israel and the ugliness that is being fomented here at home. But in the period ahead, we at IPF pledge to do all we can to provide the kind of resources that can illuminate a path forward and to stand up for what is right. We pledge to support the new administration in any helpful efforts it undertakes with regard to moving toward a two-state future, and to oppose any harmful efforts that do the opposite.
To do so, we will need your energy, passion, participation, encouragement, input, and support as never before.
With thanks,
Susie Gelman
Chair
