Brit Tzedek and Others Rally for Peace at Annapolis

Brit Tzedek joined forces with eight other progressive pro-Israel organizations to rally outside the Naval Academy during the Annapolis peace conference this past Tuesday.  Nearly 100 people, including Brit Tzedek activists from our New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and even our Rhode Island chapters, converged on Annapolis to demonstrate the strong American Jewish support for Israeli-Palestinian peace. 

During the one and a half hour rally on the grounds of St. Anne’s church, two blocks from the Naval Academy where the conference was being held, nearly a dozen speakers of all ages declared that the creation of a viable Palestinian state is the only solution to Israel’s long-term needs for peace and security.  The crowd chanted “Two Peoples. Two States. Time to Negotiate!” and sang Jewish peace songs such as “Oseh Shalom” and “Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu.” 

Brit Tzedek’s own Washington Representative, Rob Levy, gave the concluding speech, proclaiming that there could be “No Turning Back” to the diplomatic neglect of the last seven years and calling on all those in attendance to return home recommitted to being activists forIsraeli-Palestinian peace. 

Following the rally, many of the attendees marched closer to the gates of the Naval Academy where small groups of protesters were gathered in opposition to the peace process.  As the protesters condemned Prime Minister Olmert and the Israeli government for striving to make peace with the Palestinians, we had no doubts who the truly pro-Israel side was. 

Cosponsoring the event with Brit Tzedek were: Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Meretz USA, Union of Progressive Zionists, Kesher ARZA, Habonim Dror, Hashomer Hatzair, and TheWorkmen's Circle/Arbeter Ring.

Media coverage of the rally:

VIDEO of the Rally featuring Brit Tzedek activist Shirley Rausher, New York chapter activist.  Middle East Issue Hits Home with New Yorkers.  CBS-2 New York.  Nov. 27, 2007. 

On Summit Sidelines, Jewish Groups Square Off, by Nathan Guttman.  Forward.  Nov. 28, 2007.