What's wrong with J Street?
J Street mixes its views on Israel with domestic party politics, and now, before midterm elections this is not the time to escalate partisan rhetoric around a two-state solution.
By Michael LameJ Street, the "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby, ran its first television commercial last week in the United States. Watching the ad online (it can be viewed via a link on my own organization's website, www.rethinkme.org) confirmed my worst suspicions about this new organization, which likes to portray itself as the "real voice" of the mainstream American Jewish community.
The commercial makes J Street's particular bias quite obvious. It begins with overt political partisanship that seems to focus more on personalities than policies: "While chaos and violence in the Middle East grow, America's chorus of 'no' ignores reality." We see photos and hear remarks by the likes of Joe Lieberman, Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Alan Dershowitz, Mike Pence and other spawn of Satan (i.e., conservatives, Republicans and an ex-Democrat ), before an announcer's voice asks: "Do they [Limbaugh & company] speak for you ... or do they?" - at which point the swelling music changes from discordant to melodic, as an image of President Barack Obama appears, intoning the mantra of "two states living side by side in peace and security."
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U.S. President Barack Obama. 'It is unacceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon,' he said in an interview with Channel 2. |
| Photo by: AFP |
Photos of Hillary Clinton and David Petraeus also appear on-screen, accompanied by the words, "Say 'yes' to American leadership. Join the community of 'yes.'" So "American leadership" in the Middle East is personified by the president, the secretary of state and the new commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Why is Gen. Petraeus there at all? Could it be related to his Senate testimony in March, after which he became associated with the idea that America's national interest is imperiled by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian impasse? Perhaps it's because of his mainstream popularity as the only American - military or civilian - since the first Gulf War with a proven track record of successful leadership in the Middle East. After all, neither Obama nor Clinton, after a year and a half of speeches, travel and endless meetings, have much to show for all their efforts so far in the region.
This commercial is a classic Democratic campaign ad, pitting the evil Republicans ("the chorus of 'no'" ) against the good guys, the Democrats ("the community of 'yes'" ). For the purposes of the ad, the general has been promoted to the rank of honorary Democrat, despite his reputed Republican voter registration.
There is nothing wrong with having another Jewish pro-two-state-solution organization at work. We already have, among others, Americans for Peace Now and the Israel Policy Forum (newly merged with Middle East Progress ) - both reputable and serious organizations. But J Street seems different in three important regards.
First, it is an overtly Democratic Party organization. JStreetPAC, its political action committee, endorsed and distributed campaign contributions to 41 candidates in 2008: 39 Democrats and only two Republicans. In 2010 it has endorsed 58 candidates: 57 Democrats and one Republican. Most other pro-Israel PACs split their donations more evenly between the two major parties.
J Street's founding president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, has an impressive resume, with much of his career spent in the world of Democratic politics. He worked for Bill Clinton, both in his first presidential campaign and in the White House. He has worked for other Democratic candidates, and is politically connected in the upper echelons of the party, which appears to be his comfort zone.
Second, J Street is specifically an Obama support group, playing the part of a cheering section for the president to such an extent that the organization could be renamed "Jews for Obama." It has consistently supported his approach to the Middle East even when most commentators who support a two-state solution have criticized his administration's tactics and timing. Through the last year and a half of White House bumbling and fumbling over the settlement freeze, J Street never once criticized Obama, Mitchell, Clinton or the entire strategy of talking tough to Israel, coupled with toothless threats and inept performance.
Unlike the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, J Street will not defend Israel unconditionally. Apparently, however, J Street will defend Obama unconditionally.
Third, the main problem here is that J Street tries to turn peace in the Middle East into a proprietary issue of the Democrats, while it vilifies the Republicans as the enemies of peace. That might be a good strategy for electing Democrats, though I doubt it, but it is not a good strategy for building broad national support for a deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Most pollsters and pundits predict large gains for the Republicans in the midterm elections this November. Bipartisan support for the president's Middle East peace-making efforts will therefore become even more important. This summer seems like precisely the wrong time to escalate partisan rhetoric around a two-state solution.
Those who want to see a resolution that works both for Israelis and Palestinians are already divided enough regarding Gaza, Hamas, Jerusalem, settlements, borders, refugees, prisoner exchanges, etc. And those divisions do not necessarily split along party lines. Obama, like every other well-meaning Democratic or Republican president who tackles the Middle East, will get some things right and others wrong. An organization that is supposedly "pro-Israel and pro-peace" should stick with those two allegiances: Israel and peace. Being "pro-Obama" is something else.
So what's wrong with J Street? It mixes up its views on the issues with domestic party politics. Just as barriers between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East need to be removed, barriers regarding the future of Israel/Palestine should not be erected between Democrats and Republicans.
Michael Lame founded Re-Think the Middle East, which is intended to encourage new thinking about the region's future.
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Coz Israel will be lost if it is only represented by pro-settler lobbies greedy for stolen land and hard right-wingers who promote war and hatred.
From my perspective J-Street makes a lot more sense and is align more along American democratic values then much of the extreme right rhetoric coming from Israel. In fact, much of this rhetoric borders on fascist racism. Israel would be much better off if it were a secular democratic state. Chances are if it was, their wouldn't be a need for a two State solution. I'm sure protection for Jews could be accommodated, along with similar rights for non-Jews. Oh, I forgot - Israel is an asylum where the crazies rule.
When the horse has bolted
J street does not stand for American Jews as much as it claims to.
It just so happens that there are more Democrats (not many mind you) in Congress than Republicans that support a 2 state solution for the Israelis and the Palestinians. It appears therefore, that J Street supports the Democratic Party more than the Republican Party. In fact J Street will support anyone no matter what his/her political affiliation who wants the U.S. to work towards a political solution to the Palestinian, Israeli conflict.
Sounds like there is a lot of hypocrisy here. Just like when people moan about Fox News being partisan while extolling the virtues of CNN's independence. Everyone is partisan - there is no news organisation that is truly independent.
Claiming to be pro-Israel while being 90% funded by arabs.
AIPAC receives support from Christian fundamentalists. Do you say that it is illegitimate? No. Jstreet has revealed who its donors are in statements. It shows there are Arabs donors to the tune of maybe 4%, Do the math. Is 4% the majority? Many wealthy Jews support Jstreet because they are tired of Israel's behavior. Jstreet represents more of the typical American Jewish attitude among American Jewry. They are tired of the bad, apoiled brat behavior of Israel, and you exemplify it.
"While chaos and violence in the Middle East grow... two states living side by side in peace and security" Does this sound logical to anyone??))
This article was nothing but a cheap attempt to discredit JStreet. Complaining about a political action committee being political or partisan is about as lame as can be.
Finally a lobby that has the honesty to tell Israel what the great majority of Jews in the diaspora know about her. That the settlements are illegal and in fact will destroy Israel unless there is a fair and just two state solution. Israel's move to the far right is simply a final blast from the old guard Jabotinskites whose ultra-orthodox view of the world seeks to tar every Jew as a self-hater unless they blindly agree to support policies that are anaethema to over 80% of jews around the world
I wish J-Street would have declared its funding sources honestly and transparently.
The 2-state policy is originally from Pres. Bush, not Pres. Obama. The real political action of J-street is not domestic US, but that it does not reflexively support Likud. Like some American Jews.
What's wrong with Israel?
group of perhaps well intentioned but totally misguided people. They portend support for Israel but their actions are harmful.
as over 70% of US Jews have ALWAYS voted Democrat and often in significantly larger proportions.
J Street represents the views of me and the vast majority of American Jews. Yes, J Street supports Democrats, but only those who support our positions regarding the US-Israel relationship. AIPAC is a deeply partisan, neo-conservative policy shop, they just lack the intellectual honesty to come out and say so.
If you think J Street represents "the vast majority of American Jews" you are clueless. And if it were true, if the majority of American Jews really want to see Israel destroyed (which is exactly what would happen if J Street's policies were carried out) - then please detach yourselves from OUR country, we have enough enemies.
J Street is pro-Israel. When have 2 Jews ever had the same opinion about ANYTHING? "It was a horse!" "It was a mule! " "TRADITION, TRADITION!" Just because J Street represents the opinion of a HUGE part of Diaspora Jews' opinions that Israel is not ALWAYS right (i.e.continued construction in the west bank is a BIG mistake right now) does not mean that J Street is not pro-Israel. I would be the first to pass the hat to elevate Bibi to HERO status if he would only do what needs to be done to get back to the negotiating table with Abbas and Obama. There is enough blame to go around, NOW is the time to make peace. The window is rapidly closing and it may be the last window open for a long, long time. We must start believing the best of each other. Most of us want our children to grow up in peace and security. Enough of letting the minority hate mongers run the show.
I think that J Street is the voice of the UAE, financed by petro-dollars,set up with US public relations firms, etc. Just because they have a few well trained, tamed, pet Jews to stand in front, doesn't make it a "Jewish organization."
beware of soros. I dont trust his love for israel at all. He sold out fellow jews before, as some of you may know. jstreet is nothing more than a self serving entity tied to the dems and obamas worldview, which is HIGHLY circumspect. Maybe ben ami would like to direct his energies towards islam having a real inner discussion about peace, non violence, israel, etc....now that would be a pro israel initiative. Real answers are needed to solve this real problem, and so far, jstreet falls well short on asking the real questions. They are to say the least, either highly disingenous or simply naively leftist as usual.
is led by representatives of the current government: what a surprise. And yes, their efforts are vital if not always (yet) effective. I'm pretty sure J Street would be glad to endorse R's who support administration's work for a 2-state solution: who might those be? or are most of that party "against" on this issue as on so many others on the President's agenda? If you really want to see partisan ads, take a look at those of the neo-cons new front group: if you liked the war in Iraq you'll love their positions on Israel!
There is a major fallacy with posing the quesiton "what is wrong with J Street?" It presumes that there is something right with this cynical, divisive, arrogant, uninformed, self-hating sorry band of spoiled American rich kids. Only the frustrated Israeli left including a White House Chief of Staff who has already planned an ext strategy ever believed otherwise.
J-Street is an out and out fraud. One can not say they are "pro-Israel" and then support condemning Israel in the UN, supporting pressure against the Israeli government's policies and supporting boycotts against Israel (as many J-Street activists do). Today it is fashionable for Israel's enemies to say that they are pro-Israel (e.g. Jimmy Carter) because they think they can con true friends of Israel to support dangerous anti-Israeli policies. Enough of this fraud!
...what a fitting name.
Mos Israeli Jews supporting from afar Mr. Ben-Ami's blind side attack on the reactionary American Jewish right wish that the necessity for building support with a wider base did not demand moving closer to the right.
J Street was formed as the place to go for lefty secular US Jews who hate hearing at Democrat Party fundraisers that "the Jews" are causing trouble. These folk are the loser off shoot of the self hating and loathing reformed Rabbi Michael Lerner and the Tikkun crowd in Berkeley. They know no history of the Middle East, and toe the neomarxist kumbaya line that gets them invites to cocktail parties, an university debates comparing Israelis to Nazis, imperialists, colonialists, etc. They are self proclaimed specialists in "International Law," whatever that is. Look for George Soros and Saudi money in their coffers. They are an irritant like Jews for Jesus.
That was a very hateful response. As you accuse others of ignorance you demonstrate your own by sidelining and delegitimizing opinions different from your own. Jews who believe in peace are not radicals. Jews who believe in getting along with gentiles are not self hating. Realize, we are not alone in this world and our rights do not trump other's. Have Jewish pride without feeling like everyone (including other Jews) is out to get you.
That was a very hateful response. As you accuse others of ignorance you demonstrate your own by sidelining and delegitimizing opinions different from your own. Jews who believe in peace are not radicals. Jews who believe in getting along with gentiles are not self hating. Realize, we are not alone in this world and our rights do not trump other's. Have Jewish pride without feeling like everyone (including other Jews) is out to get you.
TELLING ISRAEL WHAT TO DO HAS BECOME A WORLD SPORT. I CANNOT IMAGINE OTHER COUNTRIES SAY THE USA BEING TOLD HOW TO RUN THEIR MOST CRITICAL AFFAIRS. WHEN IT COMES TO JEWS ITS OK AND EVERYONE BECOMES A BUSY BODY...SUCH IS J STREET. I AM GLAD NETANYAHU GAVE OBAMA THE FINGER AND ISRAEL DECIDES WHAT IS GOOD FOR ISRAEL
Nothing wrong with Americans being Republicans or Democrats,howewer the record goes as follows...A democrat president Truman imposed a ban of arms to israel in 1947/1948.israel had to buy weapons in Czeckoslovaquia to survive...A democrat pres.Kennedy allowed Israel to buy 3 thanks in the USA,while the Russians were stuffing Egypt with all kind of modern weapons...Israel had to buy planes in France...A democrat clinton imposed the Oslo accords and the "2 states solution..."...Remember,stalin invented Birobidjan and a lot of "jews" would rather rot there,in the communist Kewish Paradise,than build the STATE OF ISRAEL...it's a matter of choice...
Everything
Well, it`s obviuos that the real intenctions surrounding JStreet are gaining more power for the democrats, but come on! it`s always about the middle east never homeland politics... the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is nowadays the most popular show in the world, i wonder what the media and the governments of all over the world will do when it ends...
Well, it`s obviuos that the real intenctions surrounding JStreet are gaining more power for the democrats, but come on! it`s always about the middle east never homeland politics... the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is nowadays the most popular show in the world, i wonder what the media and the governments of all over the world will do when it ends...
its fear that Israel cannot survive as an island in an Arab sea; and that she has become dependent solely on force! While this view may be wrong, it is necessary for somebody to propound it. Secondly, it is a vehicle for many non-Jews who desperately want Israel to live in peace: and divert its energies from producing armaments to regular commerce. Anyone who reads the US press, will realize that an increasingly large number of Americans - even on the Republican-Christian Right are coming to feel that Israel has become an albatross around America's neck..
"t an increasingly large number of Americans - even on the Republican-Christian Right are coming to feel that Israel has become an albatross around America's neck.." You say that right after a recent poll shows that Israel has the highest popularity rating it's had in 20 years. Anti-Israelis are morons.