DEAR FRIENDS,
5780 was a year of historic social and political change, and no small measure of hardship, but it was also the year we birthed JVP Action, our 501(c)4 political and advocacy organization. We knew it was high time for JVP’s grassroots base of American Jews and allies to translate our collective power into legislative wins, shifts in the public conversation, and the election of true progressives that share our vision and values. This year we have made enormous strides in pushing for just U.S. policy while also defending and growing the squad of champions who will fight with us.
In JVP Action’s first year of life, we balanced rigorous work in the field for our endorsed candidates with game changing legislative advocacy and action.
This year has given us proof that JVP Action is an idea whose time has come. We’ve had wins, and just as importantly, we’ve solidified partnerships, found new allies and new ways of working with old friends, and learned through it all.
Like all of you, I’m nervous about our collective political future. But I’m confident that we’ve got the tools to meet that future. We can shape it into one that brings freedom and justice to all the people of Palestine/Israel, along with political leadership that serves us all.
Warmly,
Stefanie Fox
Executive Director
JVP ACTION IS…
GROWING GRASSROOTS LEADERS
JVP Action’s strength comes from our people. From our National Legislative Organizing Committee to our student leaders, we’re showing up to make sure that Palestinian human rights are part of the political conversation now and in the future. In January 2020, we sent students from universities across the US to trail presidential candidates across Iowa on the JVP Action Palestinian Freedom 2020 bus, all while learning about leadership strategy and the history of the Palestinian rights movement. These Jewish, Black, Muslim, and Palestinian student activists brought passion and heat to Iowa with one unified call: 2020 is the year for Palestinian freedom, and we have to stop funding Israeli injustices now.
STUDENTS
The Jewish, Black, Muslim, and Palestinian student activists on the Palestinian Freedom 2020 bus brought passion and heat to Iowa with one unified call: 2020 is the year for Palestinian freedom, and we have to stop funding Israeli injustices now.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
In Iowa, we engaged with Democratic presidential candidates and their supporters, as well as the press, on the campaign trail, disrupting the primary-season status quo with demands for Palestinian human rights.
Eve Glazier
JVP AT BARNARD COLLEGE
“I was uncertain about how the people of Iowa would react to our message. But as we travelled around, it was clear how deeply the values of freedom, justice, and liberation for Palestinians resonated with voters. The struggle for Palestinian freedom often gets framed as too “complicated” or “divisive,” but really, the issue is straightforward: Palestinians deserve to live free from oppression. I left feeling invigorated to continue organizing on campus and beyond.”
JVP ACTION IS…
DEFENDING OUR CHAMPIONS
More than ever before, this year we’ve had champions in Congress who include justice in Palestine/Israel in their human rights agendas. These are legislators whose bravery has already exposed them to harsh criticism, but we’ve got their backs. Our National Legislative Organizing Committee (NLOC) is building relationships with legislators and partners in districts nationwide and on Capitol Hill. Together, we’re solidifying the growing progressive congressional support for Palestinian rights.
CHAMPIONS
JVP Action endorsed six incumbent candidates who center Palestinian human rights in their progressive agendas: Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Betty McCollum, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Marc Pocan, and Rashida Tlaib. All six are headed back to congress for another term.
SIGNERS
JVP Action supported Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s groundbreaking Dear Colleague letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, calling for the conditioning of military funding to Israel if annexation moved forward. Our NLOC helped move 12 legislators to co-sign the letter, affirming their support for Palestinian human rights.
Estee Chandler
CHAIR, JVP ACTION BOARD
“2020 was the first election cycle since the launch of JVP Action. We were excited to endorse six incumbent champions in congress who not only vote in support of Palestinian rights and equality, they also speak about it publicly and help educate their colleagues and constituents on the issue. On election night, the voters issued a mandate and returned them all to Congress with overwhelming wins! Next year, they will be joined by several newly elected progressive leaders — fighting for equality for all people!”
Beth Miller
SENIOR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER, JVP ACTION
“Anti-Palestinian groups spent millions on racist and Islamophobic fear-mongering trying to defeat champions of Palestinian rights. But their tired tactics are failing – and the Palestinian rights movement is celebrating the defense of our champions. This is how change happens.”
JVP ACTION IS ALL OF US.
JVP ACTION IS…
SHAPING LEGISLATION
For years, we played defense against legislation that violates our right to boycott, and conflates anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Now, we’re starting to push for legislation that proactively defends Palestinian rights and takes a stand against Israeli violations of international law. Last year, we supported legislation to ensure no US tax dollars would fund the Israeli military detention and arrest of Palestinian children. This August, JVP Action endorsed the Israeli Annexation Non-Recognition Act — introduced by Representative Betty McCollum and with original co-sponsors including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, and more — which would prohibit the United States from formally recognizing or providing U.S. funding to any area of the occupied West Bank annexed by Israel in violation of international law.
ORGANIZATIONS
JVP Action endorsed the Israeli Annexation Non-Recognition Act alongside organizations including the Adalah Justice Project, Demand Progress, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and the Center for Constitutional Rights when it was introduced, and we’ll work with our partners to keep pushing this crucial legislation forward.
ACTION TAKERS
Over 1,700 JVP Action leaders around the country contacted their representatives telling them to co-sponsor the Israeli Annexation Non-Recognition Act.
Betty McCollum
U.S. Representative, MN-04
“We are changing the narrative on Capitol Hill. Together, we can build a better world — one where peace is a real possibility for the next generation. We must be willing to lead, and ensure peace, rights, security, justice, and equality become a reality for all Palestinians, and all Israelis.”
Rashida Tlaib
U.S. Representative, MI-13
“You are all instrumental in bringing grassroots power to change the political climate in our country. You are also playing a key role in helping those of us in congress who are pushing our colleagues to finally speak up for Palestinian human rights and dignity, and for freedom and equality for all of us. Together, we are changing the conversation toward a values-driven approach, building a world of safety, freedom, and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis. The movement is growing, and I’m proud that we’re in this together.”
JVP ACTION IS…
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
We envision a future congress where every progressive legislator understands Palestinian human rights as a core part of their platform. This year we were proud to endorse four insurgent congressional candidates willing to take a brave stand in support of Palestinian freedom: Ihssane Leckey (MA-04), Samelys Lopez (NY-15), Mike Siegel (TX-10), and McKayla Wilkes (MD-05). Mike Siegel, a progressive Jewish school teacher and civil rights lawyer, made it through his primary and into a close race against a longtime incumbent in the general election.
DOLLARS
JVP Action leaders raised over $17,000 for our insurgent candidates’ campaigns during primary season, through phone banking and digital events.
INSURGENT CANDIDATES
JVP Action endorsed four insurgent congressional candidates, focusing on rising leaders committed to changing the status quo in congress.
Samelys Lopez
Community Organizer and Congressional Candidate for NY-15
“I sought JVP Action’s guidance as a moral leader on the left, on the frontlines fighting for Palestinian lives and justice. You led with your values in the South Bronx when you endorsed our grassroots campaign. I will continue to look to JVP Action for leadership and ways I can remain involved in the fight. Thank you for all you did for our campaign, your dedicated volunteers, your love, compassion, courage and joy. Let’s keep building!”
Noah Habeeb
JVP ACTION VOLUNTEER LEADER
“Working with JVP Action to support Samelys Lopez and other insurgent candidates was eye-opening and energizing. I’m glad we had the opportunity to endorse candidates who approach local and global issues from a rights-based perspective, and fight for justice, and against racism and white nationalism. Every step we take gets us closer to the world we want and the leadership we need.”
FINANCIALS
With a small but mighty staff and dedicated volunteer leaders, JVP Action is able to do more with less. Program expenses account for the majority of our budget, ensuring that donor dollars make a direct impact on the work we do.
JVP Action Budget FY2020: $513,134
Note: Admin expenses for this fiscal year include costs of incorporation.
JVP ACTION IS MEETING THE POLITICAL MOMENT.
We’re changing the conversation in congress, and it’s happening fast. In our first year, our bold legislative advocacy brought our values-driven message about Palestinian human rights to thousands of new supporters and directly to Capitol Hill. We’re defending our champions, and cultivating new political leadership for the future we deserve. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, and we need your help to carry our momentum forward!