Brit Tzedek v'Shalom

Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace

The Capital District chapter of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom was started in the fall of 2002, and we already have 30 members.
April 1st, 2003

"We formed a chapter of Brit Tzedek to broaden the range of views heard about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in the Capital District Jewish community," says Judy Wienman, co-chair of the Capital District chapter of Brit Tzedek. "We want to encourage open discussion of what constitutes support for Israel, and to promote tolerance for diverse political opinions. The Israeli political climate, and in particular the Israeli press, encourages vigorous dialog on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Similar open discussion would benefit American Jews, and Israel, as well."

According to Ethan Bloch, Capital District spokesperson for Brit Tzedek "It is very unfortunate that most Americans hear only two hard-to-believe extreme voices on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict: right-wing support for Israel that uncritically endorses all Israeli government policy, and is often anti-Palestinian; and left-wing criticism of Israeli government policy that is often anti-Israel. Our position strongly supports Israel's right to exist and defend itself, but also empathizes with Palestinian aspirations to statehood, and criticizes Israeli government policy when criticism is merited -- for example the continued expansion of the settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians."

The Capital District chapter meets once a month to plan local activities, including both public events (such as speakers and films) and behind-the-scenes activities such as meetings with local rabbis and other Jewish organizations. We also plan to have educational sessions for our local membership about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and about dialoging skills.