Community wide call to action

The Jewish Community Relations Council recently learned that some of Central Florida’s elected officials have received calls from anti-Israel advocates. The Council has asked, via social media, the community to make phone calls to these officials listed below, beginning with your personal representatives in your district, and send a counterbalancing message.

“The objective is to advocate on behalf of Israel and share that our community supports Israel and condemns Hamas as a recognized terrorist organization. It must be emphasized that our message needs to stay positive and focus on the support of Israel and not devolve into any attacks on Palestinians generally,” the message states.

These elected officials track the number of calls they get supporting each issue so it is important that they aren’t getting a tidal wave of anti-Israel calls with no pro-Israel calls to counterbalance the information they receive.

Talking points the JCRC suggests are:

1. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East

2. Israel is the only country in the Middle East to recognize same sex marriage

3. There are Jewish and Arab members in the Israeli Supreme Court

4. The Knesset is comprised of many ethnic minorities

5. Israel has the right to defend herself like any other country. Hamas launched over 4,000 rockets at Israel during the 11-day conflict

7. Israel gives notice of buildings it is targeting to allow civilians time to evacuate

Representatives in order of priority are:

Rep. Anna Eskamani, 407-228-1451

Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, 407-681-5433

Rep. Daisy Morales, 407-207-3840

Rep. Geraldine Thompson, 407-245-0288

Sen. Randolph Bracy, 407-297-2045

Sen. Linda Stewart, 407-893-2422

Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy, 888-205-5421

Congresswoman Val Demings, 321-388-9808

Congressman Darren Soto, 407-452-1171

Rep. Kamia Brown, 407-297-2001

Rep. Joy Goff-Marcil, 407-623-1010

Rep. Kristen Aston Arrington, 407-846-5016

Sen. Victor Torres, 407-846-5187