Thursday, April 30, 2015

Today is your last chance to vote for the Hatikvah slate

Wherever you are as you read this, those of you who are Jewish are eligible to vote for representatives to the World Zionist Congress. And if you support the existence and survival of Israel; care about the prospects for its future as a secure, thriving, and democratic country; and want to help promote the pursuit of a just and durable peace to resolve the intertwined Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts—then I urge you to join me in voting for the Hatikvah Slate.

Rather than spell out the case for doing this, I'm passing along an appeal sent out earlier this month by Michael Walzer, Deborah Dash Moore, and Chad Goldberg (below).

The voting period ends today. But it's not too late to vote at this link.

—Jeff Weintraub

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April 9, 2015

We are writing today to encourage you to support the Hatikvah Progressive Zionist Slate in the ongoing elections to the World Zionist Congress.  We are among the candidates on the Hatikvah Slate, which is made up of Ameinu, Habonim Dror North America, Hashomer Hatzair and Partners for a Progressive Israel (formerly Meretz USA).  Additionally, the slate includes leaders from J Street, New Israel Fund, Americans for Peace Now and Open Hillel, along with individual activists like Theodore Bikel and Randi Weingarten.

The Hatikvah Slate is committed to protecting the State of Israel as a just and thriving democratic Jewish state.  Among the goals of our slate are a lasting peace and negotiated two state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, an immediate freeze in settlement activity in the West Bank, an effective campaign against the delegitimation of Israel, a strong social safety net for vulnerable Israelis, democracy and equal rights, religious pluralism and priority resource allocation to support Zionist youth movements and opportunities for young people to have meaningful experiences in Israel.  The full platform of the Hatikvah Slate can be found here.

[W]hile most of us did not have a chance to vote in the recent Israeli elections, the elections to the World Zionist Congress is an excellent chance to make our voices heard.  It is important to note that actions taken at the World Zionist Congress have significant influence on policy and budget decisions related to West Bank settlements, religious pluralism and other aspects of Israeli and Diaspora public policy.  Background on the elections process and the importance of voting in this election can be found here.

Thank you for considering the Hativkah Slate.  We would greatly appreciate your vote at this link and encourage you to spread the word among your networks to build support for the Hatikvah Slate and the progressive Zionist vision for Israel.

Best Wishes,