New Israel Fund petition--please sign

[eridani]

http://www.nif.org/campaign/save-democracy/jstreet.html

Right-wing extremists in Israel have launched a sustained campaign to intimidate and silence those working for human rights, democracy and religious pluralism. Israel's democracy itself is under attack and we must act now to stop this dangerous trend.

Our friends at the New Israel Fund are spearheading a campaign calling on Prime Minister Netanyahu to stand with all of us. I urge you to read this email I just received from NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch and then click here join me in signing the petition.

- Isaac

Isaac Luria
Director of Communications and New Media
J Street
April 8, 2010

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Sokatch, CEO, New Israel Fund
Sent: Monday, April 5, 2010 3:25 PM
To: Jeremy Ben-Ami, Executive Director, J Street; Isaac Luria, Director of Communications and New Media, J Street
Subject: Fight for Democracy in Israel

Jeremy and Isaac,

Together we can fight back against those waging an unrelenting attack on religious pluralism, democracy and human rights in Israel today. Our shared concern for the future of Israel unites us in the challenge we face from right-wing nationalist and ultra-orthodox extremists.

Click here to join with the New Israel Fund in confronting those who are inflicting real damage on Israel's democratic foundation.

The vicious attack leveled against the New Israel Fund and NIF President Naomi Chazan using anti-Semitic imagery was only the tip of the iceberg. When you connect the dots, the danger to Israel's democracy becomes all too clear:

Activists have been detained for advocating for women's rights at the Western Wall and against forced home evacuations in East Jerusalem.

Right-wing members of the Knesset are pushing legislation that would limit the rights of many NGOs in Israel.

Women are literally being forced to sit in the back of public buses by the transportation ministry's kowtowing to the ultra-Orthodox.

More proposed legislation would diminish religious freedom in Israel by backtracking on acceptance of Reform and Conservative conversions.

As you know, The New Israel Fund is the leading organization committed to democratic change within Israel. J Street's position as a powerful progressive voice for real peace and security in Israel makes you an important partner in our effort.

Please ask your many friends and supporters to join us in signing a petition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking him to stand with us and with all those working to strengthen a democratic and pluralistic Israel. Thousands of like-minded individuals have already signed the petition and I know that the voices of J Street's supporters will only strengthen our cause.

B'Shalom,

Daniel Sokatch
CEO, New Israel Fund