The Israel Project
The Israel Project is an initiative of pro-Israel organizations, political consultants and businesspeople. It shares an office address with B'nai B'rith International.[1].
Contents
The Wexner Analysis
In 2003, a document prepared for pro-Israel activists by The Luntz Research Companies and The Israel Project was leaked to The Electronic Intifada that spells out the tactics that Israel and its US advocates should use to maintain support for Israel and its hardline policies.
- The document, entitled "Wexner Analysis: Israeli Communication Priorities 2003," counsels pro-Israel advocates to keep invoking the name of Saddam Hussein, and to stress that Israel "was always behind American efforts to rid the world of this ruthless dictator and liberate their people." Despite his solid support for Israel and Ariel Sharon, the document warns pro-Israel advocates not to compliment or praise President Bush. At the same time it acknowledges that Yasser Arafat has been a great asset to Israel because "he looks the part" of a "terrorist." The installation of Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian prime minister, and potential replacement for Arafat, comes "at the wrong time," because he has the potential to improve the image of the Palestinians, and that could put the onus on Israel to return to negotiations. The document advises supporters of Israel to appear to affect a "balanced" tone, but admits that in arguing for Israel's policies, the illegal "settlements are our Achilles heel," for which there is no good defense.[2]
The document was commissioned by the Wexner Foundation, a private foundation that funds, among other pro-Israel initiatives, "Taglit Birthright," a program that pays for young American Jews to take free trips to Israel.
The Intellicopter
According to its website:
- Through its Jerusalem office, TIP operates "Intellicopter" tours—two-and a-half-hour guided helicopter tours with expert guides that give reporters a bird's-eye view of the situation on the ground. The TIP "Intellicopter" educates journalists about security threats and opportunities for peace. Hundreds of journalists from more than 140 media outlets have taken the "Intellicopter" tour, including top journalists from the United States, England, France,Germany, Russia, Italy, Latin, America, Australia and Asia. Millions of people around the world have seen footage shot from these strategic aerial views—views which show Israel's tiny size and enormous security challenges.[3]
Funding
According to its website, Major funding for TIP's Jerusalem office is provided by:
Members
Board of Directors
- Michael C. Gelman - Chairman
- Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi - Founder & President
- Sheryl J. Schwartz - Vice President & Treasurer
- Margo Volftsun - Secretary
- Bobbie Goldstein - Chair, Press Ambassador Program
- Lennert J. Leader - TIP Executive Committee
- Joseph Meyerhoff II - TIP Executive Committee
- Arlene Bearman
- Sheldon Bearman
- Newton Becker
- Marc Cummins
- Nancy Epstein
- Seth A. Klarman
- Joseph Korff
- Michelle H. Leader
- Richard Levitt
- David Naftaly
- Karen Pack
- Abe Pollin
- Howard Rosenbloom
Washington DC
Jerusalem
References, Resources and Contact
Contact
- Washington DC Office
- Phone: 202-857-6644
- Fax: 202-857-6674
- Email: info@theisraelproject.org
- Postal Mail:
- The Israel Project
- 2020 K Street, NW
- Suite 7600
- Washington, DC 20006
- USA
- Jerusalem Office
- Phone: 011-972-2-6236427
- Fax: 011-972-2-6236439
- Email: rachelf@theisraelproject.org
- Postal Mail:
- The Israel Project
- Jerusalem Technology Park, Malha
- 1 Agudat Hasport Hapoel Rd.
- Jerusalem, Israel, 96951
Related Links
- Richard Hugus, Zionism in Boston, Dissident Voice, 27 January 2006.
- A Roadmap of Spin, Mother Jones, 1 May 2003.
- Rightweb The Israel Project
- Alex Kane The Rise and Fall of The Israel Project: A leaked cache of documents reveals how the pro-Israel media advocacy group operated—and the factors that led to its demise. Jewish currents, February 18, 2020.
