The Jewish Liberation Project (JLP) was an organization of radical young American Jews who supported Socialist Zionism. JLP was an anti-capitalist organization that was critical of the Israeli government and supported Palestinian self-determination while supporting the existence of the State of Israel.[1]
The Jewish Liberation Project was formed in New York City in June 1968 by a group of about 25 to 40 young American Jews.[2] A socialist Zionist organization, JLP's constitution stated that they opposed capitalism "and all other systems which concentrate wealth and power in the hands of elites". While supportive of Israeli's existence and security, it was critical of the Israeli government's policies and actions.[1] Many progressive and radical American Jews had distanced themselves from the New Left due to anti-Zionism and antisemitism among leftists. In contrast, the JLP sought to remain part of the New Left while maintaining their Zionist beliefs and worked with other progressive Zionist organizations like Boston's New Zionists and Providence, Rhode Island's Jewish Liberation Coalition. These organizations created a loose umbrella organization in the early 1970s called the Radical Zionist Alliance that issued collective statements.[3]
In December 1969, the JLP protested in front of the headquarters of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) in opposition to ZOA President Jacques Torczyner's endorsement of Richard Nixon's policies during the Vietnam War. The JLP characterized ZOA's support for the Vietnam War as "a betrayal of Jewish and Zionist ideals and of the most vital concerns of the Jewish people".[1]