Inless than a month, people from across the United States and beyond will begathering at the 2010 U.S. Assembly of Jews: Confronting Racism and IsraeliApartheid (the "Assembly"). The Assembly is an historic eventintended to build relationships, political clarity and Jewish anti-Zionist organizingand activism. It takes place at a time when recognition of the brutal nature ofthe State of Israel is growing, and increasing numbers of people are compelledto challenge its impunity. To date, the Assembly has over forty endorsers,anticipates two hundred participants, and has gained the interest ofPalestinian, Palestinian solidarity and anti-racist movements in the United States,as well as the attention of mainstream Jewish media.

Giventhe stated purposes of the Assembly, we are expecting challenges to be leveledagainst it. IJAN, the main organizer of the Assembly, is already receiving criticismbased on inaccurate assumptions or apparently different political goals.Withthis momentous event upon us, we would like to take a moment to make clear the principles,positions and goals of the Assembly and help correct or prevent misconceptions.