The only democracy today?

A call from Jewish Voices for Peace

Dear Friends,
Midnight arrests. Defamation of human rights organizations. Expulsion of journalists. Human rights demonstrations broken up with violence. Censored films. Confiscated laptops.

That's just a fraction of the reality on the ground in Israel/Palestine that stands in contrast to the official story about 'the only democracy in the Middle East.'

That's the story we hear when AIPAC tries to justify the billions of dollars in military aid Israel receives. That's the story many of us grew up with.

But something is happening in Israel. The success of the Palestinian nonviolent resistance movement has led to a crackdown on Palestinians and those who support them that is unlike anything we've seen before.

In fact, on a recent trip to Israel/Palestine, activists on the ground who we work with said they needed our help. They said: "Please help us get the word out. The crackdown is growing worse by the day, yet most of what happens is invisible to the media, policymakers, and individuals. We need you to make these stories visible so we can work together to stop what's happening."

That's why we're launching The Only Democracy? today. Jewish Voice for Peace members wanted there to be one place where anyone in the world who cares about the struggle for equality and democracy in Israel/Palestine could read about and support the true heroes of today. The recent attacks by the right-wing group Im Tirtzu on the New Israel Fund are merely the tip of the iceberg.

Visit The Only Democracy? and read about incidents, many from just the last few days:

• Palestinian expert on Israeli settlements and cartography barred from travel

• International activists freed, then their office raided again by IDF

• Israeli Army raids offices of Stop the Wall

• Israeli Supreme Court rulings that have never been implemented

• Rabbis for Human Rights defends New Israel Fund from anti-democratic attacks

If you appreciate this effort and want to help - share your favorite stories using Facebook, Twitter, and by emailing them to friends and lists. And of course, by forwarding this message.

Thank you,
Jesse, Cecilie, Rebecca, Carol, Stefanie, Sydney and the rest of JVP

PS: You can make a tax deductible contribution to support The Only Democracy?