We’re very excited to share some big news. Meretz USA for Israeli Civil Rights and Peace is changing its name. Our new name will be – “Partners for Progressive Israel“. Our board of directors made this decision in June, and we’re now in the middle of our implementation process. We’ll be keeping you up to date as we go through the legal transition and roll out a new logo and website.
Before we explain why our Board made this decision, let us first note that Partners for Progressive Israel will continue to represent the same core values we all hold dear and the progressive vision for Israel that we have long embraced: the realization of human and civil rights, equality and social justice for all of Israel’s inhabitants in a flourishing democracy; and a durable and just peace between Israel and all its neighbors, especially the Palestinian people, through a negotiated two-state solution based on the June 1967 lines with agreed land swaps that will end the 44 year-old occupation.
So why the change of name, you might ask?
Over the past few years, we’ve come to realize that our “Meretz” name has been a source of confusion about our identity and purpose. Those who had heard of Meretz naturally assumed that we were the US outpost of the political party in Israel, despite our efforts to explain our independent status. And for those who had never heard of Meretz, well, our name just sounded like … “merits”.
We chose Partners for Progressive Israel because it more accurately reflects our fundamental mission – promoting partnership and collaboration between all Israelis and Americans who support a progressive Israel and Zionist movement. As “Partners,” we look forward to creating a movement of progressive Americans, American Jews in particular, who will engage in programs and hands-on activities that put them into close contact with members of the progressive Israeli community.
In light of these factors, the Meretz USA board reached the conclusion that the time was right to adopt a name that focuses not on a particular Israeli group – despite our shared values with members of the Meretz party – but on the vision we hold for Israel, and on our desire to help achieve that vision in partnership with all of Israel’s pro-peace and pro-democracy forces.
But our new name is more than just a cosmetic change. As we transition from Meretz USA to Partners for Progressive Israel,we will also approach our mission with a renewed vitality. Watch for our announcements of new activities – coming soon.
We would appreciate any gift you can make, as we get set to roll out our new activities. Please continue to make out your checks to Meretz USA. We will let you know when our name change becomes official.
Thank you for your ongoing support during this important new phase for our organization!
Dina B. Charnin Ron Skolnik
President Executive Director
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