Jewish Labor Committee

July 11, 2014 -- New York: Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Jewish Labor Committee, issued the following statement today:

As there is no let up in the unprovoked rocket attacks from Gaza on Israeli towns and cities and as Israel considers enhanced ways to stop the assault, the Jewish Labor Committee expresses its solidarity with people, government and defense forces of Israel.

The Government of the State of Israel has both the right and the obligation to defend the country against a barrage of rockets from beyond its borders. Indeed, no country would be expected to do otherwise. It is the responsibility of the Government to defend all who live and work within the country.

After a long period of relative quiet in terms of rocket fire from Gaza, the most recent escalation by Hamas has placed the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israelis in mortal danger, and we condemn the leaders of Hamas for their actions.

Having joined the government of the Palestinian Authority, Hamas has made it nearly impossible for the PA to continue to pursue a negotiated peace with Israel.

Hamas has endangered Palestinians by deliberately embedding rocket and missile launchers in civilian population centers, near homes, schools and medical facilities, placing a high proportion of the Palestinians in Gaza at risk when the Israeli Defense Forces respond to rockets and missiles fired indiscriminately at civilian centers within Israel.

We hope that Hamas will immediately cease firing rockets and missiles into Israel, and that as a result Israel will cease its retaliation

Our hearts go out to the innocent victims on both sides of this confrontation. The death and suffering produced by this most recent round of military conflict must end. Irresponsible decisions will only lead to more of the same, and further harm the chances for a mutually-agreed upon two-state solution to the legitimate needs of the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 04:30 PM | Permalink

July 10, 2014 -- Boston: Since December of 2012, the New England Jewish Labor Committee (NE JLC) has been working to pass the Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (DWBR), which would establish basic workplace rights for nannies, housekeepers and caregivers employed in private homes. For example, the NE JLC mobilized people to go the State House to advocate for the DWBR, organized living room talks to raise awareness of conditions for domestic workers among those who employ them, and spoke about the DWBR at several synagogues. Through the advocacy of the NE JLC, the Somerville Board of Alderman voted unanimously to support the DWBR.

The DWBR passed in the State House and was signed by the Governor on July 2nd, 2014. NE JLC will continue to work to educate the Jewish community and help implement the bill. For more information, contact Marya Axner, NE JLC Regional Director, at NewEnglandJLC@jewishlabor.org

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 04:18 PM | Permalink

July 7, 2014: New York, NY -- Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Jewish Labor Committee, issued the following statement:

The Jewish Labor Committee condemns the brutal murder of the Palestinian teenager, Muhammad Abu Khdeir, and we offer our sympathy to the family and friends of this innocent boy and to the people of Palestine who mourn his death, just as we do for those who mourn the death of the three Israeli innocents who were murdered.

Those who committed this heinous act must be brought to justice through the rule of law, not through acts of unlawful revenge. We are encouraged that six suspects have quickly been apprehended. It is in both Israel's interest and the Palestinian Authority's that Israeli authorities judge Israeli and Palestinian terrorists against the same standards, as reflected in recent Israeli government statements.

Incitement and violence will only lead to more violence and deaths.

The brutal murders of Muhammad Abu Khdeir, Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel have made even more difficult the pursuit for a just peace between Israel and the Palestinian people, to which we remain committed.

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 02:27 PM | Permalink

July 1, 2014: New York, NY -- Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Jewish Labor Committee, issued the following statement:

The Jewish Labor Committee condemns the kidnapping and brutal murder of the three Israeli teenagers, Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel.

Those who committed these heinous acts must be pursued and brought to justice. We regret that this has further complicated the pursuit for a just peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and we offer our sympathy to the family and friends of these three innocent boys and to the people of Israel who mourn their death.

Posted by Arieh Lebowitz at 01:00 PM | Permalink