Introduction
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that advocates for Palestinian rights and a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founded in the mid-1990s, JVP is often seen as a progressive organization within the American Jewish community due to its outspoken criticism of Israeli policies and its support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

History and Origins
Jewish Voice for Peace was founded in 1996 in Berkeley, California, by a group of Jewish activists and students who were concerned about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. From its inception, JVP positioned itself as an organization seeking to influence U.S. policy in favor of peace and justice in the region, while also offering a voice of dissent within the broader Jewish community that often supports Israel’s government policies.
Over the years, JVP has grown in membership and prominence, particularly after the Second Intifada (2000-2005), as it became more vocal in opposing U.S. military aid to Israel and advocating for the rights of Palestinians.

Mission and Goals
JVP’s mission is to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, grounded in principles of human rights, equality, and international law. The organization seeks to challenge U.S. foreign policy that supports Israeli occupation and to advocate for the full civil rights of Palestinians. JVP’s goals include:

• Supporting an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem.
• Advocating for the rights of Palestinian refugees, including the right of return.
• Promoting freedom, justice, and equality for all people in Israel and Palestine, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
• Opposing anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of bigotry.

JVP’s unique approach is rooted in Jewish values of social justice, with a strong emphasis on solidarity with Palestinians and criticism of Israeli government policies, which it sees as violating international law.

Main Activities and Campaigns
JVP is known for a variety of activism campaigns, many of which revolve around Palestinian rights and the U.S. role in supporting Israel. Key activities include:

• Support for BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions): JVP endorses the BDS movement, which seeks to apply economic and political pressure on Israel to end its occupation and recognize Palestinian rights. JVP encourages individuals, organizations, and companies to boycott Israeli goods and divest from corporations that profit from the occupation.
• Advocacy and Lobbying: JVP actively lobbies U.S. lawmakers to stop military aid to Israel, arguing that such aid enables Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories. The organization works with other progressive and human rights groups to influence U.S. foreign policy on Israel-Palestine.
• Educational Programs: JVP organizes educational events, webinars, and forums that promote a critical understanding of Israel’s policies and the situation in Palestine. They also publish educational materials and resources to raise awareness of Palestinian rights.
• Grassroots Organizing: JVP has local chapters across the U.S. that engage in protests, advocacy, and community outreach. These local groups work on both national campaigns and local issues related to Palestinian solidarity and social justice.

Controversies and Criticism
JVP has faced significant criticism from both pro-Israel groups and some Jewish organizations for its positions on Israel and its support for the BDS movement. Main points of controversy include:

• Support for BDS: JVP’s endorsement of BDS has led to accusations of being anti-Israel or even anti-Semitic, particularly from groups like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Critics argue that the BDS movement seeks to delegitimize Israel and question JVP’s commitment to a two-state solution.
• Relationship with Other Activist Groups: JVP has formed alliances with groups that have been criticized for promoting anti-Semitism. For example, JVP has been accused of aligning with pro-Palestinian groups that oppose the existence of Israel as a Jewish state.
• Internal Jewish Community Opposition: Many mainstream Jewish organizations view JVP as too critical of Israel and argue that it undermines Jewish unity and Israel’s security. JVP’s critics often accuse it of giving disproportionate attention to Israel’s faults while ignoring Palestinian violence or anti-Semitic rhetoric from Palestinian leaders.
• Accusations of Anti-Semitism: While JVP is a Jewish-led organization, it has been accused by critics of downplaying or ignoring anti-Semitism, particularly within some of its alliances. JVP strongly rejects these claims and insists it opposes all forms of bigotry, including anti-Semitism.

Activity on Campuses
JVP has a significant presence on college and university campuses, primarily through its affiliate, JVP-Students. JVP-Students chapters are often involved in organizing events, protests, and educational campaigns to promote Palestinian rights and raise awareness about Israel’s occupation.
On many campuses, JVP-Students collaborates with other pro-Palestinian groups, such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), to host events like Israeli Apartheid Week and promote the BDS movement. These activities have often sparked intense debate, with both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups vying for influence on campus. JVP students have also faced criticism from Jewish student groups who argue that their actions contribute to a hostile environment for Jewish students who support Israel.

Impact and Influence
JVP has had a notable impact on the discourse surrounding Israel and Palestine in the United States, particularly within progressive and activist circles. The organization has:

• Amplified Palestinian Rights: JVP has been a leading voice in bringing Palestinian human rights to the forefront of discussions within the Jewish community and broader U.S. politics.
• Shifted Jewish Perspectives: JVP has helped shift the conversation within the American Jewish community, challenging traditional pro-Israel views and creating space for Jewish dissent on Israeli policies.
• Influenced Political Debate: Through lobbying efforts and alliances with other progressive organizations, JVP has influenced debates in Congress and among progressive politicians, particularly regarding U.S. military aid to Israel and human rights in Palestine.

Despite its influence, JVP remains a polarizing group, particularly due to its support for BDS and criticism of Israeli policies. While it has gained supporters among progressive and anti-occupation activists, it has faced opposition from mainstream Jewish organizations and conservative lawmakers.

Internal Structure and Organization
Jewish Voice for Peace is a nonprofit organization led by an executive team and board of directors. It operates with a combination of national leadership and local chapters across the U.S. These chapters are relatively autonomous but work within the framework of JVP’s national goals and campaigns.
JVP-Students serves as the student arm of the organization, with a presence on many university campuses. The group is funded through donations, grants, and membership contributions, and it collaborates with a variety of other human rights and social justice organizations.

Conclusion
Jewish Voice for Peace is a significant and controversial player in the U.S. political landscape, particularly in discussions about Israel and Palestine. As a Jewish organization that challenges Israeli policies and supports Palestinian rights, JVP occupies a unique position within the broader American Jewish community and the activist world. Its advocacy for BDS and criticism of U.S. policy have earned it both support and opposition. Despite these controversies, JVP has made a considerable impact on the discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, pushing for a more human rights-oriented approach to the region’s longstanding issues.