IfNotNow Movement

IfNotNow has drawn criticism from within the Jewish community over its tactics and its stances. Among the criticisms is that IfNotNow is more interested in getting publicity through its protests than engaging in a dialogue with the leadership of the Jewish community. ³ IfNotNow members have also been criticized for using imagery evocative of historical anti-Semitism and supporting bans on display of Jewish symbols at far-left events. ^{4 5}

History and Actions

IfNotNow was formed in 2014 following Operation Protective Edge, a campaign by the Israeli military against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip to combat Hamas rocket attacks on Israelis. The organization demanded that American Jewish organizations end their support for or neutrality toward Israeli control of the West Bank. ⁶

The primary activities of IfNotNow are sit-ins and protests at the headquarters and meetings of American Jewish organizations and other public events. Such protest techniques are known as “direct action.”

In February 2017, IfNotNow activists were arrested during the Senate confirmation hearings for David Friedman, who was nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Israel. ²

In May 2017, IfNotNow activists interrupted a speech by New York Times columnist Bret Stephens in a synagogue in San Francisco. Also during that month, IfNotNow activists protested Jerusalem Day and the March of the Flags outside of Damascus Gate in Israel. Several protesters were arrested by Israeli police. ²

In June 2017, Israel celebrated its 50^th anniversary as an independent state. IfNotNow protested Celebrate Israel parades across the U.S. IfNotNow activists were kicked out of the National Museum of American Jewish History for setting up a pop-up exhibit criticizing Israeli policies toward the Palestinians. ²

In April 2018, IfNotNow joined with pro-BDS group Jewish Voice for Peace in protesting the annual gala dinner for Birthright, an organization that sponsors an trips for Jewish young people to Israel. ²

In February 2019, IfNotNow members demonstrated a speech by a former Israeli soldier at the University of Texas Chabad Jewish Center. A rabbi also alleged that protesters took pictures of people entering the building and tried to block people from going inside. ⁷

In April 2019, IfNotNow led a march on the New York City headquarters of Birthright, demanding that it teach about alleged Israeli human rights abuses against Palestinians. It claimed the march showed a generational divide among American Jews over Israel. ⁸

In April 2019, IfNotNow called on college Hillel chapters to sever ties with Birthright. It accused Birthright of neglecting to build ties with Palestinians. It also accused Birthright of promoting the Israeli military by encouraging participants to spend time with Israeli soldiers. ⁹

In June 2019, the DC Dyke March, which included members of IfNotNow in its leadership, banned U.S. and Israeli flags as “nationalist symbols.” It also banned flying LGBT rainbow flags showing the Star of David. ⁵

Advocacy

Despite its claim to represent the American Jewish community, INN has been critical of other American Jewish organizations that have publicly supported the Israeli government. They have openly spoken against Jewish community organizations such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, American Jewish Committee, and the Republican Jewish Coalition. ¹⁰

INN supports controversial U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). INN claimed Tlaib “has been one of the clearest allies of the Jewish people.” ¹¹ INN was also a participant in the #StandwithIlhan campaign. ¹²

Stance on Israel

IfNotNow has been criticized by even some on the Israeli left for being silent on whether or not Israel should have the right to exist. The organization does not take a formal stance on whether Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state. ¹³

IfNotNow has claimed to be an “American Jewish establishment,” but its protests have often focused on antagonizing other Jewish organizations. INN refuses to meet with other Jewish organizations to discuss the issues of the West Bank occupation. ¹⁴

Leadership

IfNotNow’s founders and leaders are Yonah Lieberman, Kara Segal, Max Berger, and Simone Zimmerman. Zimmerman worked for the 2016 presidential campaign of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Sanders fired Zimmerman after a profanity-laced Facebook post criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to light. ²

Funding

In 2015, IfNotNow’s income was $145,656 and it spent $105,944. ²

In 2017, it received a $20,000 grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which has funded BDS-supporting groups like Jewish Voice for Peace. ²

In 2018, it received an undisclosed grant from the Foundation for Middle East Peace. ²