DEAR FRIENDS,
We began 5781 with a grueling election cycle. Through our collective organizing and hard work, we helped ensure that our Congressional champions kept their seats with landslide wins and a mandate to fight for justice, equality, and dignity for all people, including Palestinians.
It’s been a harrowing year and we have a long way to go. The legislative assaults on Palestinians and the movement for Palestinian rights continue. But thanks to the overwhelming momentum of our growing movement, we are fighting back in ways we could never imagine a few years ago, and paving the path to conditioning, cutting, and eventually ending U.S. military funding to Israeli apartheid.
We are fighting from the grassroots up and through direct advocacy for federal policy that centers the rights of Palestinians and demands actual, tangible accountability for the Israeli government’s violent and oppressive apartheid regime. We’re strengthening our relationships on the Hill while building the resources and leadership of our skilled base of activists in districts all across the country. One of the highlights of the year for me was seeing over 250 of our member leaders meet with 80 Congressional offices last June and hearing from members of Congress and their staff about the impact we are making in D.C. Just one example of the reach and power we have when we come together.
It’s an uphill fight, but we are working toward a future in which our representatives finally represent us. A once unimaginable future in which Congress speaks up for Palestinian rights and stops sending our taxpayer dollars to fund Israeli apartheid. We won’t stop until we get there.
Warmly,
Stefanie Fox
Executive Director
JVP ACTION IN CONGRESS…
DEVELOPING U.S. POLICIES BASED ON JUSTICE
For the first time, there is legislation in Congress to ensure that no US tax dollars fund human rights violations carried out by the Israeli government against Palestinians. The Palestinian Children and Families Act (H.R. 2590), introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), states that the US will not fund the Israeli government’s imprisonment and torture of Palestinian children; theft and destruction of Palestinian homes and property; or any further annexation of Palestinian land. JVP Action has been a core part of this legislation, providing critical insight and educational materials for Congressional offices, and leading direct advocacy and grassroots organizing initiatives to pressure offices to join as co-sponsors and support the bill.
HOUSE MEMBERS
As of September 2021, 30 Democratic House members have co-sponsored the Palestinian Children and Families Act, which states that the US will not fund several of the Israeli government’s human rights violations.
JVP ACTION IN LEGISLATIVE OFFICES…
SPRING ADVOCACY DAYS
In June, JVP Action trained a cohort of volunteers in how to hold meetings with their legislators, tactics to respond to tough questions, and methods to push a progressive platform for Palestine with their elected officials. JVP Action and the National Legislative Organizing Committee members scheduled, assisted with and attended the meetings between legislators and volunteers.
VOLUNTEERS TRAINED
JVP Action trained a whopping 250 volunteers in best practices for legislative organizing for Palestinian freedom.
MEETINGS WITH LEGISLATORS
Using their newfound skills, JVPA-trained volunteers had 78 meetings with legislators and effectively secured 3 new co-sponsors of the Palestinian Children and Families Act.
JVP ACTION IN THE ELECTIONS…
SUPPORTING PRO-PALESTINIAN CANDIDATES
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.
PHONE-BANKING CALLS
JVP Action organized 118 phone/text banking shifts for our endorsed candidates resulting in over 66,000 calls and 6,100 texts sent to prospective voters.
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 FY2021: $413,943
JVP ACTION IS MEETING THE POLITICAL MOMENT.
We’re changing the conversation in congress, and it’s happening fast. 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!