How can J Street support and question Israel at the same time?
The core problem is that the "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby has two main goals that don't really fit together.
By The Forward and J.J. Goldberg Tags: Jewish World Zionism Israel newsThe first national conference of J Street, the self-described "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby, convened October 25 in Washington, D.C., with all the understated reserve of a new iPhone launch or the christening of the Queen Mary. Gathered in a swank hotel a short walk from the White House, some 1,500 activists from across the country sat through hours of speeches by big-shot politicians and diplomats, earnestly debated tactics and philosophy, handed out awards over chicken dinners and jabbered excitedly in the corridors. Outwardly it looked like any other major Jewish organization rallying its troops and flexing its muscles.
But this was, as J Streeters boasted and critics complained, no ordinary Jewish convention. These conventioneers were rallying not to defend Israeli actions and reaffirm Jewish virtue but to challenge and question. It's no easy trick these days to convince 1,500 Jewish liberals to pay their own way to Washington for the purpose of fighting over Jewish values. J Street's success in pulling it off surely earns them some bragging rights, whatever one thinks of their positions.
Up to a point, that is. J Street's conference was an impressive feat, but it's not quite the game-changer it's been made out to be - at least, not yet. On examination, this shiny new vehicle turns out to have a few kinks built into its design. They'll have to be addressed if the organization hopes to succeed.
The core problem is that J Street has two main stated goals, and they don't really fit together. The first goal is to "broaden" the definition of what it means to be pro-Israel, to open up Jewish community discourse to a wider range of acceptable opinions. The second goal is to lobby for an Israeli-Palestinian peace accord that leads to a two-state solution. It became evident during the convention that you can't do both.
By advertising itself as a forum for free and open discussion of Israel, warts and all, the conference predictably attracted a contingent of Jews who are ambivalent or hostile toward Israel. They weren't on the program, but they spoke up in breakout sessions and gathered in clusters in the hallways. Some came to paint Israel as the guilty party and argue for sweeping Israeli concessions without regard for Israel's security. Some opposed the very idea of Jewish statehood. Most came to Washington expecting to help shape J Street's goals and gain political influence for their views.
What they found was an organization that defines itself as wholly committed to Israeli security, that favors an Israeli-Palestinian accord as a way to ensure Israel's security as a Jewish state. If that wasn't obvious beforehand, J Street's architect and executive director, Jeremy Ben-Ami, pointedly drew a line in the sand in an October 23 interview with journalist Jeffrey Goldberg (full disclosure: not me) on the Web site of The Atlantic.
Sounding more hawkish than he had in the past, Ben-Ami ruled out cuts in American military aid to Israel, endorsed the Law of Return, denounced the so-called "one-state solution" and repeatedly distanced himself from individuals and groups on the left that reject Zionism. Arriving at the conference two days later, the outliers - let's call them "un-Zionists" - were in an ornery mood, feeling duped and gobsmacked. In one breakout session on how broadly to define "pro-Israel" (full disclosure: this was moderated by yours truly) one audience member emotionally protested the very idea that she should define herself as pro-Israel. At another session, a participant objected to the suggestion that advocates of territorial compromise should emphasize their love of Israel. Some greeted Rabbi Eric Yoffie of the Union for Reform Judaism with boos when he criticized the Goldstone report.
All this left J Street in a ticklish position. By calling for unfettered debate, it had essentially invited the un-Zionists to come and participate. Objecting to their presence would undercut its declared commitment to open discussion. But embracing them would undermine its credibility as a pro-Israel organization advocating compromise as a means to strengthen Israel's security, not weaken it. Ben-Ami and others argued that a firm pro-Israel stance would make the un-Zionists want to leave. But the un-Zionists gave no sign that they would leave willingly. J Street could be in for a fight that will leave it tainted with a McCarthyite image in the eyes of some liberals it needs to recruit.
The hard truth is that both of J Street's goals are important. Growing numbers of American Jews are struggling with their relationship to Israel. They shouldn't be cast out. The community urgently needs a forum for members to engage over their differences rather than turn their backs on one another. It also needs a strong voice for security through peace and compromise. But they're two different jobs. One vehicle can't do both.
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The fact that there is a J Street speaks volumes about the high level of character in the Jewish community and our willingness to tolerate different points of view. The real question is; where is the Arab J Street? Where are the Arabs willing to challenge their society's obsession with destroying Israel, willing to compromise, accept some of the blame for the situation. Where is the Arab J Street leadership, check the Arab jails and the Arab cemeteries
My friend, perhaps you don't understand what a lobbying group does in WashDC. JStree is asking their members to ask Congresspeople to support House Resolution # 867, an action for the administration to denounce the Goldstone Report in the UN and Security Council of the UN. If thatt is not supporting Israel,PLeassse tell me what that is?
it's about time that international Jews and pro-Israelis understand that supporting Israel is not by agreeing to all it does BLINDLY!! It is by questioning how its actions affect its future and the future of its neighbors, the region and the world. Without fairness and justice Israel will be doomed in all scenarios. The smart thing is to play the game with SOME ethics.
I read Mr Goldberg's article with dismay bordering on incredulity. With respect to all of the critics of J Street and other organisations with similar beliefs and views...you are mistaken. For instance, there are many things I admire and respect concerning Israel. But as in any democratic society I can also say things about Israel with which I disagree. Indeed one of the problems i have with Mr Goldberg's article is the assumption that those of us who criticise Israel on occasion have no valid viewpoint. I have a particular viewpoint of Israel which is part of mainstream politics. It happens to be different from that of Mr Netanyahu and Mr Lieberman. I find it offensive and unfair that such disagreement effectively seeks to stop constructive debate---which after all is the lifeblood of a democratic society.
As one who was privileged to attend the JStreet, I am not surprised at the usual suspects dissing it as "lefty" etc etc nor the damming with faint praise" of JJ Goldberg. He is a journalist after all. He didn't hold back on his criticisms of both Israel and the Palestinians at the conference in which he was variously a panel chair and a panellist. And that's the point. Israel especially via AIPAC has had it too good for too long in terms of unsurprisingly promoting its own interests without Jewish challenge. And yes of course you can be pro-peace and pro-Israel; you can as I am, be a Zionist and be both those without being anti anything. What cannot continue is Jewish denial that Israel is mistaken and Israeli denial of the realities caused by its occupation of the W Bank and shut down of Gaza. If as the majority of Israelis and Palestinians persistently indicate, a 2 state solution is the preferred option, what is wrong with urging it now?
J Street's website states that "Israel's settlements in the occupied territories have, for over forty years, been an obstacle to peace. They have drained Israel's economy..." yadda yadda yadda. J Street does itself a huge disservice by using Fatah propaganda on its website. Anybody who reads the newspaper or listens to the news knows that Israel has a robust, booming economy that is the envy of the region. It has the highest per capita income outside of the oil-rich Gulf emirates, and is a world leader in many fields. Yet J Street claims the settlements "drained Israel's economy." Obviously, JJ Goldberg didn't read all of the bunk on J Street's website, nor question many of J Streets very suspicious policy statements like this one. J Street isn't honest, and one has to wonder just exactly what their real agenda is.
Take a look at this article which analyses the flaws in JSTreet's position. http://cifwatch.com/2009/10/29/why-i-oppose-j-street/ I particularly like the damning reference to a student who now believes that, rather than a Palestinian state existing alongside a the State of Israel, a Jewish state has a right to exist alongside a Palestinian state. A perfect example of their upside-down thinking.
J.J. Goldberg's is an ill formulated question that makes little sense. The question should rather have been, "Can J Street support Israel, and question the Israeli leadership's policy at the same time?" And the answer is obvious. It is the duty of any clear minded personne to question it. And to support Israel.
George Soros and arab funded J Street are vile enemies of the Jewish people and the Jewish State of Israel. These anti-Semitic "progressive" extremists hate Israel. They lobby against Israel, support the most vile anti-Israel "progressive" candidates, refused to "side" with Israel againt Hamas, and want to see Iran get its nukes. And JJ Goldberg's "Jewish" Forward routinely supports, propagandizes, and is in league with these Quislings. Obama's men are using these anti-Semitic zealots to attack Israel. American Jews had better wake up, and soon!
Jewish values evolve around truth and justice. USA Jews have made significant contributions applying those values to Civil Rights, labor laws and health services. As a result, USA Jews have helped the people least able to help themselves, regardless of ethnicity. Israel was founded on Jewish values. However the occupation of Palestine has fostered objectives and practices that run counter to our historic values. While we are called to help the people least able to help themselves, Israeli leadership has refocused on the acquisition of land, water resources and a prosperous economy. The byproduct has been a Palestinian people subjected to indignities and suppression. Ben Gurion indicated Israel would be judged by how it treats Arabs. Einstein was concerned that the values of a Jewish nation-state would compromise the Jewish religious values. In our eagerness to sustain a stronger and stronger Israel, have we abandoned our historic values?
I do it, my wife does it, my friends do it, liberals do it, intelligent people do it, lovers of Israel do it, lovers of peace do it, rational people do it. The confusion of criticism of the the current government and its policies, and criticism of the country is done by the ignorant, by unethical politicians, and by right-wing fanatics.
How can you love and punish your children at the same time?
Why not support and question the government of Israel; we do in America all the time. Some how I have learned that if one doesn't follow the Likud party thinking then one is a "bad jew" anti-semitic and hates Israel..whooa! JStreet advocates for a a new growing segment of the US population (mostly Jewish but not exclusively) that wants a different US foreign policy approach in the Middle East. The US stake in the middle East has never been greater. US national security is now linked to the middle East and the Israeli-Palestinians conflict. Two State solution is really the best for Israel in the long run. And Comprehensive Regional peace--PAl's, Syrians, & Lebanonese..a total package.
Seventy percent of Jews have never even visited Israel. Ninety percent of Jews are assimilated, universalized, globalized, democratised relativised, equalized, radicalized and many hate and are embarrassed by being Jewish, half of all Jews are intermarried, seventy percent of assimilated Jews are intermarried, the majority of their children are not Jewish and practice Christianity. Half a million plus Jews are baptised Christians. Almost no Jews outside of Israelis are fluent in hebrew that means no shared history, stories, songs etc. The religion the older generations of assimilated US Jews the Holocaust and Israel is coming to an end and even then was used to engender sympathy from non Jews to further assimilation. After several generations of secularism the grandchildren are no longer Jewish and want to be rid of this burden that stresses a particularism they cannot share.
can the israeli government likud and futher right can explain what they will do with 3.5 million non jews in the territories. if the intention is not to hold onto the territories why do they not stop settlements? if they do want the territories, won in fair battle, then the territories should be annexed and israeli should welcome its new 3.5 million citizens. i prefer a 2 state solution because i believe in a jewish demodcratic state with a majority of jews. jsreeet feels that the israeli politics and american jewish politics has been hijacked by right wing settlers. if your people are set on a stupid course , settling the west bank with no plan of how they will deal with the 3.5 million nonjews it is the duty of all zionist jews to do all they can to avert this stupid policy.
First, blame Iran who supports Israel's deadly foes. Second, blame Hamas who caused time and again the end of peace negotiations by attacking when peace was around the corner: first with suicide terror, and later with Qassams. This, in turn, made Israelis change their minds and vote for Likud! And even Lieberman. Third, Support the IDF, the ONLY barrier against fanatics ready to murder all Israelis, to the last. Fourth, Question Israel leadership! Everything they touch is wrong! Finally, Condemn the settlements! The settlements are doomed in ALL scenarios anyway!