Ambassador Dennis Ross, Co-Chairman of the Jewish People Planning Institute (JPPI) spoke today at the Jerusalem Press Club (JPC) on the recent report of JPPI, which had been presented to the Israeli Cabinet earlier today. Amb. Ross remarked that “BDS is about ending Israel’s existence not its occupation of the Palestinians. But so long as Israel’s settlement activity does not appear consistent with a two-state outcome, Israel will find it difficult to blunt the de-legitimization movement.”
Other highlights of the report:
- Upcoming U.S. elections offer Israel an opportunity to turn a new page in its relationship with Washington. JPPI recommends positive action to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict within a regional framework, on the basis of a two-state solution, and in coordination with the U.S.
Other main findings:
- French Aliyah – Although 40% of French Jews are considering Aliyah (200,000) number of French olim down 30% this year due to absorption impediments (employment, housing and educational difficulties).
- Jerusalem – Israeli government should consider new measures to ensure Jewish majority in its capital: Better employment and housing opportunities to reduce negative migration; Explore expanding municipal boundaries westward, and narrowing the north-eastern borders with no changes to sovereignty.
- JPPI’s new Pluralism in Israel Index shows: 72% of Israelis reject exclusion of Reform Jews; 79% have no objection to gay and lesbian politicians serving in Knesset.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJD8WkL7i4o]
Ambassador Ross, who served as a special assistant to President Obama and National Security Council Senior Director for the Central Region, and who has been actively engaged in the US peace efforts in the Middle East, has recently published “Doomed to Succeed: The US-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama”, which won the 2015 National Jewish Book Award, History Category.
