March, 09 2017, 09:45am EDT
Opposition to Friedman Nomination Demonstrates Grassroots Support for Equal Rights in Israel/Palestine
Jewish Voice for Peace issues the following statement following the Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote (12 to 9 with near united Democratic opposition) to approve President Trump's nomination of David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel:
WASHINGTON
Jewish Voice for Peace issues the following statement following the Senate Foreign Relations Committee vote (12 to 9 with near united Democratic opposition) to approve President Trump's nomination of David Friedman as U.S. ambassador to Israel:
David Friedman's dedication to advancing Israel's illegal settlement enterprise, his support for extremist Israeli policies, harsh attitude towards critics of Israel's occupation and anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia should disqualify him from appointment as U.S. ambassador to Israel. It is heartening to see so many Senators take a stand against his nomination today, in recognition that someone with such disregard for Palestinian rights is the wrong person for this job. The broad opposition to Friedman's nomination is a testament to the efforts of grassroots constituents who are working to hold their elected officials accountable to a vision of equal rights and justice for all people in the region.
Jewish Voice for Peace chapters around the country organized and participated in more than 50 meetings with Senate offices and Members of Congress, attended town halls and protests, and dropped off petitions, signed by over 26,500 people. JVP members made thousands of emails and phone calls to Senate offices, including more than 500 calls to Senator Cardin in the last few days before he publicly announced his opposition to Friedman.
As the vote goes to the full Senate, we will continue to call on our Senators to stand for justice and equality by opposing President Trump's nomination of Mr. Friedman's.
Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 200,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.
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