The Cost of Birthright
Birthright calls itself a free gift — but what is the cost for our generation, the Palestinian people, and the entire American Jewish community?
This is the cost of Birthright on our generation: delivering right-wing talking points as facts, making us unwitting supporters of unjust policies — and actively keeping from speaking out against the very same types policies we oppose loudly in the United States.
Image: forward.com/opinion/416545/i-was-kicked-off-birthright-for-asking-questions-about-the-occupation/
Right-wing mega-donor Sheldon Adelson is one of Trump’s closest advisors, and one of the largest donors to Taglit Birthright. Adelson donated at least $35 million to Trump’s 2016 Campaign and they watched the 2018 Midterms returns together.
Image: https://opensociet.org/2018/09/18/trumps-top-campaign-financers-where-are-they-now/
Trump draws inspiration for his border wall from Israel’s separation wall. “A wall protects. All you have to do is ask Israel.” - Trump to Sean Hannity on Fox News.
Image: KOBI GIDEON/GETTY IMAGES
Adelson is one of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s biggest supporters. Adelson owns Israel’s largest circulating daily newspaper Israel Hayom, which has been called “Netanyahu’s mouthpiece.”
Image Source: Ben Dori/Flash90
Netanyahu and Israel’s right-wing government give over $175 million to Birthright every year.
Image Source: GALI TIBBON/AFP/Getty Images
Adelson has given Birthright over $410 million.
Image Source: Michael Priest Photography
One of the main sites Birthright takes participants is the “City of David” located in East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan and owned by Elad, a settler organization that uses the funds to evict Palestinians in the neighborhood. This image shows the eviction of a Palestinian family from Silwan in April 2018.
Image: Emil Salman
Just last month, Israeli courts rules that 700 Palestinians living in Silwan will be evicted by Elad and their allies to make room for this Jewish settlement. Birthright participants don’t hear that story — or any other stories of the realities of Occupation for millions of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Image Source: PEACE NOW
Just last month, Israeli courts rules that 700 Palestinians living in Silwan will be evicted by Elad and their allies to make room for this Jewish settlement. Birthright participants don’t hear that story — or any other stories of the realities of Occupation for millions of Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. This images shows residents of Silwan.
Image: Emil Salman
Adelson, Trump, and Bibi are all in open support for the disastrous policies entrenching Israel’s Occupation.
Image Source: Mike Segar/Reuters, AP, Bloomberg