HDNA and Progressive Israel Network Support Van Hollen Amendment Preventing the Use of US Funding for Illegal Annexation

The following joint statement was issued by eight members of the Progressive Israel Network: Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Habonim Dror North America, J Street, the New Israel Fund, Partners for Progressive Israel, Reconstructing Judaism,and T’ruah:

As progressive organizations committed to supporting democracy and equality in Israel and a just and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians, we have made clear our staunch opposition to any unilateral Israeli annexation of occupied territory in the West Bank. Such a move would violate international law and severely imperil Israel’s future as a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people. It would aim to permanently relegate the Palestinians to life in disconnected enclaves without independent statehood or basic civil rights. 

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#HaboDraws Coloring Book

Click the link to check out the whole coloring book!

While you’re stuck inside, check out this coloring and games book compiled by leaders from all of the Habonim Dror countries around the world! You can color and connect without being glued to your screen, and learn some movement history while you’re at it. A HUGE thank you to Becky Tuck and our friends in Habonim Dror United Kingdom (HDUK) for their quick thinking and action on this amazing shared project! Kol ha’Kavod and Aleh v’Hagshem!

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Progressive Israel Network Calls on Israeli Government to Rescind Its Deportation Order Against HRW’s Omar Shakir

As American Jewish organizations deeply concerned about the future of Israel’s democracy, we are disturbed and saddened by the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court to uphold the Israeli government’s order to deport Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch’s Israel and Palestine Director.

Human Rights Watch plays an integral role in documenting and opposing human rights abuses wherever they take place around the world. Allowing human rights organizations like HRW to engage in this work is crucial for any democratic society. The Supreme Court’s decision helps fuel the Israeli right’s widening campaign of incitement and suppression against those who research and oppose the injustices of the occupation. It sets an unacceptable precedent for all groups and activists engaged in this essential work — whether Israeli citizens or non-citizens, Jewish or non-Jewish. As 23 Israeli civil society organizations wrote, the decision to allow for the deportation of Omar Shakir “severely harmed us all.”

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Progressive Israel Network opposes Netanyahu’s annexation pledge

Responding to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement of his intent to extend Israeli sovereignty over large parts of the West Bank, the Progressive Israel Network released the following statement:

A democratic and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians requires national self-determination for both peoples. Any step to unilaterally impose Israeli sovereignty over Palestinian people and territory in the West Bank is a step away from the two-state vision and toward the formalization of two separate and unequal legal systems. Both Israelis and Palestinians want and deserve to live in peace, with justice and dignity. Israelis deserve to live in a healthy and vibrant democracy. Palestinians deserve to live free from occupation.

Netanyahu’s suggested move would entrench Israel’s military occupation in the West Bank. It harms millions of Palestinians living under occupation and poses an existential threat to Israeli democracy. Israeli democracy cannot endure without putting an end to the 52-year occupation.

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Habonim Dror North America among Ten Organizations that Launch New Progressive Israel Network

June 24, 2019

Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Habonim Dror North America, Hashomer Hatzair, The Jewish Labor Committee, J Street, The New Israel Fund, Partners for Progressive Israel, Reconstructing Judaism, and T’ruah Join Together To Support Progressive Vision For Israel

Today, ten leading organizations representing Americans who are committed to pursuing democracy, equality and peace in Israel announced the launch of the Progressive Israel Network. The new coalition will provide a strong, unified voice in support of its members’ common goals: democracy and equal rights, religious freedom and pluralism, and a two-state solution that would secure a peaceful future for Israel and end the 52-year-long occupation.

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Bridges, Bravery, Bricks, and…Sandwiches! The Rakazei Chinuch share their themes for Summer 2019

Every summer, the rakazei chinuch (educational directors) at our six machanot choose a theme for their educational tochniot (programs). Taken together, the themes give a taste of the kind of education chanichimot (campers) in HDNA will go through this summer: active, visionary, empowering, and most of all fun! Here are this summer’s themes, presented by the rakazei chinuch themselves.

The summer mazkiriot for Summer 2019, gathered at Moetzet Mazkirut in March.
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