J Street U Hampshire

Mission Statement
J Street U is the student organizing arm of J Street, the political home for pro-Palestine, pro-Israel, and pro-peace Americans. We are a nationwide movement of campus chapters advocating and educating on colleges and universities, in our communities and on Capitol Hill for vigorous and sustained American leadership in facilitating a negotiated, two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We know that the fates of both peoples are intertwined. We defend and support the right of both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples to sovereignty and security in democratic, self-governing states. We recognize that the ongoing occupation and settlement of the Palestinian territories is politically unsustainable and morally untenable. We envision an Israel that respects and guarantees human and civil rights to all its inhabitants and that lives at peace with its neighbors along internationally recognized borders. Many of us in the Hampshire community frustrated by a polarized climate on our campuses and a narrow conversation in our politics, where too often blame for the conflict is placed either entirely on Israel or entirely on the Palestinians. Many of us are Americans inspired by the democratic ideals of freedom, rule of law, and equality. On campuses across the country we are organizing as students to act together on behalf of a two-state solution and a more peaceful, secure, and democratic future for both Israelis and Palestinians. In so doing, we strive to bring to our campuses and our communities an inclusive, pragmatic, and values-driven conversation able to meet the urgency and seriousness of the challenge that we face. Our primary goal on campus is to promote and facilitate safe and open discussions that provide students with the opportunity to listen and be heard. We are open to all individuals interested in participating and welcome all opinions on the conflict. We highly emphasize the importance of respect in having these conversations; both in speaking and in responding. We are interested in bringing a delegation of students to the J Street National Conference in September. Our intention is to have events every two to three weeks that include doing article reviews, having open dialogue spaces, and inviting speakers to come to campus.