Israel can't afford to reject J Street

what J Street's leaders intended. Israel must say, therefore, we care much about the Jews of the United States, but we have no intention of collaborating with the misguided ones.

do not support J Street.... J street represents "Hollywood" Jews whose idea of a Bar Mitzvah is fancy cocktails at the Beverly Hills Hotel while some over-the-hill rock star sings hava nagila. Many are the elitist liberals who know nothing of Judaism outside of Matzah Ball soup and pastrami sandwiches and have little or no connection to our past and history. They sit comfortably in their secluded palaces and pass ignorant judgment of Israel. What's even worse, it is exploited by those with the evil ambition to destroy Israel. Come visit any true Jewish community in the US, you will find little support for J Street.

Those of us who support J Street do so because as well educated progressives we understand zionism is racism and Israels only future is as a secular democratic state that represents all its people Jews and non jews, that recognizes teh right of return for the innocent Palestinians expelled from their home in 48 and removes all the illegal settlers occupying Arab land.

I think American Jews, as well as all Americans, should leave Israel to handle its own problems. If it chooses to ignore the interests of every other Western democracy as well as international law and consensus, so be it. Americans should stop enabling this insanity and should cease protecting Israel from the fate it's asking for.

Where does all this proud talk of "delegitimizing the State of Israel" spring from? All of the primary organs of the UN and the High Contracting parties of the Geneva Conventions stopped viewing Israel as a legitimate state a long time ago. Now your brilliant Foreign Minister is insulting the US Congress. I contacted my Senators and representative and told them that if they keep sending my tax money to these jerks, they will loose my vote.

This is a conversation about ISRAEL and its relationship with J Street - just read the title of the article. Israel is a secular democracy (though you seem hell bent to become a theocracy) and as a democracy it represents ALL its citizens - including the 25% that are NOT JEWISH!

Back to point: What has Israel done for the USA? You must be a very young inexperienced , or rather very misinformed . When I used to live behind the iron curtain , i am not sure you know what it is , the Soviet Union was complaining that it is only Israel who prevents them to suffocate the western free world and take over the ME . Now It is only Israel who truly backs the interests of the same free world technologically , strategically , providing the best intelligence and militarily . But this is not all , the most important cooperation happens behind the closed door . But I am not sure that people with preconceived narrow minds , like you project , will get it .

How come you did not complain about the many more billions wasted by the US on Arab countries with little benefit. No military inventions came from there to the US army, neither are they friendly to the US, in spite of all US blood spilled to save Kuwait, Saudi-Arabia and the Iraqi majorities from Saddam. J-Street is financially supported by Saudi-Arabia. Same Saudi-Arabia who spreads Madrassas Across the world, preaching the rule of Sharia, and the hate of US.

Talk-backers who advocate banning of or refusing to talk with J-Street are reacting with panic. They panic because J-Street does not fit the "terrorist appeaser" or "Israel hater" stereotype. It is the same panic now felt by AIPAC. If J-street was just an irrelevant nuisance, then what justifies taking such trouble to de-legitimize this organization? Knee-jerk right wingers don't read Ha'aretz. It is quite likely that most talk backers heaping their jingoism in this talk-back are not Ha'aretz readers, but activists recruited by AIPAC or ZOA to do their "patriotic" duty by showing how "good Jews" despise J-Street for being "anti-Israel". This was a common tactic used in the old Soviet Union to smear and de-legitimize dissidents by portraying them as agents of the west. Unfortunately for the AIPAC or ZOA handlers, their talk-back recruits are too crude, too stupid and too obvious. Most real readers of Haaretz can spot them a mile away.

but your arrogance based on ignorance of facts and maintaining a child's perspective of Judaism make you one misquided Jewish soul- equally unfit to make the judgement calls in your prose. low JewIQ's handicap your entire reading of the mideast conflict. There are honest fools in this world.

"Secular left-wingers in Oregon may have been born to Jewish mothers, but they are as lost to the Jewish people as assimilated Jews have always been, whether absorbed into Hellenism, Catholicism or Bolshevism." Jews like Einstein, Freud and Spinoza, whose contribution to humanity is second to none, would be quite comfortable dealing with Oregon lefties. So, you would say they are also "lost to the Jewish people". Who the hell appointed you to decide who is and who is not part of the Jewish people? Gustav Mahler, a great Jew, converted to Christianity to advance his career (as others like Heinrich Heine did). But they always remained sensitive to Jewishness. Yet, bigots like yourself would them banned and would haunt them for failing to fit your narrow minded tribal conception of Jewry. Is there any difference between your thinking and the thinking of backward mullah's? Sorry, but I cannot see it.

The headline should read..."Israel cannot afford to accept anything J Street has to offer" not the one stated. Why allow a dangerous anti Israel organization any say in what Israel does? It is akin to allowing a rattlesnake into ones bed...crazy and life threatening...that is what J Street is...a crafty, sneaky organization masquerading as pro Israel all the while working towards their agenda of appeasement and dismantlement of the State of Israel. What they offer Israel is a cyanide pill...the same thing that hamas and hezbollah offers.

J Street cannot afford to be alienated from mainstreem support structure for Israel. It was a rude awakening for overconfident self-serving philantropists. There is a russian saying: the road made of good wishes paved straight into HELL.

...I always say that Israel needs to be MODERN, and partly what I mean is to join the world of nations, act another great country on this planet...one step would be : SIGN the NON PROLIFERATION TREATY (NPT)

words and that which I find between them and between the lines why J Street is an expression of cynicism, especially when called "pro-Israel" and/or "pro-peace". Neither Stephen A nor J Street promote anything that resembles "Israel" or "peace".

...I bought expensive gourmet figs, once..they were good.

organization totally and don't wish to be associated with it. I hope fewer and fewer American Jews will stick around with this cynical and destructive organization.

Israel must sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and disclose it's nuclear arsenal.

..I didn't use the word annihilation...don't twist things around or attribute words to me that I didn't write. I believe that Israel is legitimate and it will not be annihilated. Those two words: "annihilation and legitimate" in the Israeli debate is just plain silly and inappropriately used.

...Even in 1973, there would have been some type of Israeli State remaining but not the one now. Large military aid flowed the US after 1973..approximately $84 Billion in total over the years. Some how Israel got the bomb--thank you USA!! USA completed its side of the bargain, which Israel has failed to live-up to its side from that time period. The USA was to help Israel to become so strong that the "RISK" of losing a war to a neighboring country was so small--peace treaties would follow. Isralei's military is very strong...sooo bite the peace bullet..sign treaties.

Amir, my friend, you defended my position perfectly. As you said in those early wars the slogans...yes "SLOGANS"..not actual deeds. I can't see reality..why the stupid name calling? Iran doesn't have the bomb; when & if it gets the bomb, the world will know through testing. Phase Two: fitting it on a missle--that's not an easy task. I am cynical; I am cynical of an American Gov't program called Foreign Military Financing with Israel as the recipient of my tax-dollars; and Israel doesn't follow the rules of the gift--weapons to used only for defensive purposes and no white phosperous bombs or cluster bombs..Should I continue? Amir, as you know, the opposite of JStreet is AIPAC, which has a "questionable past." Their past has to do with spying. Why does Israel spy on the USA. Why does every major negociation with Israel, there is a request to free Pollard. Check out the Sheinbein-Tello murders,1998-99, in the Conn. Ave area of Mont. County..that's why I''m cynical.

First you said that US saved Israel in 73 from annihilation, and then you argue that there is/was no such danger. Not even from a nuclear Iran, or its nukes given to Hamas? You represent a minority of Americans, but a majority of Arabs.

the States actually support, ideologically and financially J Street. While being liberal, with a capital "L" and without, I am first and foremost a Jew and a Zionist. And as such, I see J Street as an organization that is there to promote anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist concepts and policies.

reject misfits who are harming Israels interests is the name of phony political correctives , who cares more to earn the approval of other enemies then for the lives of Israeli citizens . It is proven many times over in the history of the so called elite American Jewry . Just recall Steven Vise , who for similar reasons was negligent and his make-it-nice attitude cost many Jewish lives during the Holocaust . But today we have ISRAEL , and blackmail will not work . Those Jewish boot-licking lackeys of the enemies of Jewish people must be blacklisted and held accountable for damages they cause .

After reading this article, and the responses, I have been educated. The employment of hyperbole and fallacious argument by those demonizing J-Street has convinced me. I know propaganda and fanaticism when I see them. I will be sending my donation to J-Street immediately.

A. Weren't the wars of 1948, 1967 and 1973 against the Jewish state attempts to annihilate it? Those wars were conducted under the slogans of "slaughter the Jews!" and "drown the Jews in the sea!" Thousands of young Jewish men and women have been killed as a results of those attempts and you in peaceful Florida can't see reality for what it is! B. And why not be critical of those calling once again to annihilate the Jewish state, this time through the use of nuclear weapons. Your cynicism is disgusting. And if you represent J Street supporters, I am glad I am not among them.

It will be the biggest mistake any Israeli ever made to cease support for your American Jewish partners. They are working tirelessly to elect US officials eager to promote Israel's interests. Please remember this.

Eitan is so right. None of the supporters of J Street at this thread have been willing to utter a single word of criticism of Iran, Hamas, PLO, Fatah, Hizballah, etc. But they keep spewing venom at democratic Israel. My money certainly will not reach J Street and the New Israel Fund, both of which organizations have been in the forefront financial support of Goldstone's sources of "information". Shame on you.

...You say that posters, like me who are critical of israeli policies, do not go after those who speak of annihilation of the Jewish State. my response..first annihilation is a big word and it's an exaggeration to use that term. I do not believe Israeli enemies are capable "wiping Israel off the map." Again hyberole. Even crazy Ahmadinejad is not capable of destroying Israel (no bomb yet and will not be for a long time.) Yes, the world barks a lot at Israel..no one is going to bite!

... J Street supporters among the posters are yet to utter a single point of criticism of those who have been calling for the annihilation of the Jewish state, but continue to be full of critical expressions about the Jewish state of Israel. If this is the face of J Street, their financial supporters should raise a number of questions regarding whom they support...!!!

...I know where my tax dollars go; since I have been involved in US Gov't policy since the 70's....BUT....: tell me what we Americans receive in return from the largeness that we give Israel. Israel doesn't care about US's security issues; and I am one who firmly beleives that Israeli actions damages the US position in the world--why doesn't Israel stop that activity and assist their best ally. Back to point: What has Israel done for the USA?

You're statement is deliberately misleading and flat incorrect. The youth movement in the US is calling for both the US and Israel to finally abide by international law. Targeted assassinations are in direct violation of international law. Violating a sovereign UN member's airspace is a violation of international law (Syria, Lebanon). Building right wing settlements for racist immigrants to create a front against the Palestinians is in violation of international law. Justice will prevail.

An organization that is funding by Arabs, the US State Department and a kapo. What a combination. They routinely lie about everything and attempt to get the US government to force us to stop defending ourselves. Yes not only can we afford to reject them, we must reject their entire agenda.

it was anti Israel bashing. Americans are beginning to see through this group who is behind them.they have no History like the Palestinian arabs. They must be pushed to the side as irrelevent. Many Americans are joining together to get rid of this group.

The days of blind US support for Israel are over. Either Israel proves it can abide and respect international law and end the blatant land grab (stubborn settlement construction), or risk losing all worldwide support. Including the young American Jewry.

Stephen, please don't give us Incredible Bull about taxes. You insult our intelligence. You have no idea where YOUR taxes go, AND MINE. Israel is a pimple, and the US gets great returns on their aid. You and I don't see it. Let's see where other aid goes, Stephen. Egypt gets comparable aid, so does Jordan and the Saudis. To me, the aid given the Palestinians was like it was flushed down the sewer. How many BILLIONS of your taxes were crapped away, why are you not indignant with your taxes given to the Pals that they squandered in corruption. Suha lives in luxury in Paris, WITH YOUR TAX MONEY. How about the billions given to unwed mothers who you pay to pump out babies. WHY ISRAEL'S AID only singled out by you ?? PS, Kissinger tied Israel's hands in 1973,, otherwise there would be no Egypt, get the facts. C'mon Stephen A, what incredible bull.

Delegitimisation is the latest hasbara. It means opposition to Yesha. There is nothing legit about Yesha, Israel. Bring the settlers home. Rehouse them with part of the money you waste on the Army.

"...Who gave you the right to affect change in a country in which you refuse to be a citizen," I am a citizen. Served in Zahal, 1983-88. Unlike yourself, my status as a citizen doesn't prevent me from rendering an honest appraisal about the true nature of Israels relationship with American Jews. "... If and when J Street supporters wish to affect change in Israel they are welcome to move to Israel and participate in the entire fabric of life here," I'm afraid thats not how it works. From now on this is a business transaction. You want to live in a villa in Ariel? You want us to lean on our leaders so they'll lean on the UN for you? Thats nice. Whats in it for us? "...It is insulting to read an American telling us, Israelis, how to conduct our lives while she/he is sipping coffee at Starbucks in the United States" I never go to Starbucks. I will not speak in latin to order a lousy cup of coffee.

J Street provokes Israelis & especially politicians. Why ? Because it is openly critical of Israel's public policies toward the world at large;but more especially toward unjust displacement and apartheid-like measures being meeted out to Palestinians in who are not Jews. J Street is critical of AIPAC et alia in the US for all they do unceasingly,to smear and by intimidation suppress freedom of speech which should include dissent, in Canada and the US. In Israel democratic rights are not shared equally by all. They are invoked but rarely enjoyed by Palestinians or Israeli Jews who dissent publicly. With respect,the respondent Eitan might take note that public acts, statements, publicly applied policies and their consequences invite criticism ,domestic and foreign. In our global village what we do affects all. "I am my brother's keeper." Had more people criticized in times past there might have been no holocaust.

"...Try some H O N E S T Y!" I did. You didn't like it

So much confusion and misrepresentation about a 501(c) 3, non-profit legal corporation. It's an advocacy group, which has certain strenghts and certain limitations. It's a USA group designed to influence USA policies--the State of Israel is simple the subject matter. The State of Israel & its relationship to America is not only of concern to Jews but to all Americans, especially taxpayers. Your statement about "this is a discusion between jews and about jews," is just wrong. I am a Christian and keenly interestedd in Israel and very disappointed in Israeli policies because as a country Israel has failed in many ways. As long as my taxes help to pay for Apache attack helicopters to engage a policy of Dahiya, I get to criticism my American policy giving Israel such weapons; and I get to criticize you for being so foolish--'cause American tax dollars--and as an Israeli you should never forget that fact. Remember, if it was not the USA's help in 1973, Israel would not exist.

00(3 hundred thousand) Samoans demanding it ? It would be much easier than accomodating as J Strret demands Israel admits pal "refugees". Where is NZ Street ,demanding concession from your Goverment ?

Instead of considering those who 'shout you down' right-wing, knuckle-dragging brutes, you could try reflecting on the electoral shift in Israel. Maybe being a pacifist when you're sorrounded by baying Arabs is not as smart as you think, maybe your opinions - which you are absolutely entitled to - are a danger to the rest of us?

Yehuda, I am positive one and all posters agree and applaud your service and sacrifice. This is not the issue, however. You may have your views on reaching peace. Every single poster wants peace, of this I am certain. Your road may differ, however, we all wish to arrive at the same destination, peace. J-Street intends to arrive at peace with an Israel that is weak and appeasement is the name of the game. They are akin to termites that keep eating away at the core. We all love Israel and they can express their desire for peace without undercutting and embarrassing the State of Israel. Most of us feel that their motives are not pure, innuendos of payment of foreign money to spout those views makes JStreet a bad joke. Their views have been repudiated by the Israeli electorate. Why do they think their voice should carry more (or any) influence than the Israeli voters?? Finally, where is the Palestinian JStreet, or is this only a One Way Street??

demanding the release of Gilad Sahlit? After all, he defended the citizens of Israel with his body when abducted from Israeli soil by the thugs of Hamas, yet J Street appear to lack the ability to raise their voice in his defense, and the thousand people who gathered in Washington, DC a few months ago to be critical of Israel seem incapable to demand of the UN to look into the freedom of this single young Jew. This is the face of J Street.

heard anything negative from the same people regarding the on-going call by Iran to wipe the Jewish state off the map? Have J Street managed to gather the strength to demand of Hamas to accept Israel's right to exist, to cease terror and to comply with signed agreements with Israel? Did Ben-Ami ever attempted to say to Syria: No, it is not acceptable that your prime minister threatens Israel with launching rockets at Israel's cities (you know, after all the threat is against the Jews in these cities!). It seems J Street thrives on being critical exclusively of Israel. So, why should Israel accommodate it and meet with its representatives?

j's are good, minus some fringe antizionist activists, really, j-street is full of good and peace loving people.....in a too one-dimensional way, they preach the need of a non-violent gentle Israel, in reality, they must start to teach non-violence to the Palestinian leaders, not the non-violent struggle, while still leaving the violent Palestinian terror movements in control.

...involved in the affairs of the nation-state of the Jewish people, Israel. Indeed, Israel as a state and all Israeli posters here have welcome such an involvement, even to the point of inviting Jews from abroad to ascend to Israel so as to take an active part in the life of all Israelis, including political life. Thus, the question as you pose it is simply not fair. But J Street, unlike hundreds of other Diaspora Jewish organizations through which Jews can and are involved, is more interested in working against Israel's elected government instead of working with it. And to work alongside Israel's government one may be critical of course. But such criticism can and should be expressed directly to the governing bodies of Israel instead of attempting to embarrass Israel, its governing institution and in turn the Jewish people of Israel. When that is done, this is the reaction that you see here: A rejection of J Street.

(continuation) If History is justification of refusal to alter one's way of thinking...and I stress that I do not mean to be disrespectful in using this analogy...G-d allowed 6 million of us to perish....but religeous settlers still adhere to their religeous belief systems and trust that He will solve everything.They are not thinking..'Look what happened in Gaza when we evacuated it'..or similar comparisons. I am a secular Jew but that does not mean that I am antsemitic,a self hating Jew,or anti Israel.On the contrary if I did not care about Israel I would not be here or writing letters to the newspapers.I care deeply but happen to feel that Israel could try to be more diplomatic,and act in other ways towards a just peace even tho I recognise that there are problems, The alternative,I find too horrific to contemplate. Start wit the idea that we are all created by whoever created us and that we all deserve a decent life on earth;Jews,Muslims;Christians.

20 odd yrs ago Jews in UK were 'expected to 'help'financially but to not express an opinion unless it exactly matched far right Israeli opinion.That was hard enough,but at least there was not the antisemitic/and Muslem problems to contend with.Now every questionable statement or action from Israel is putting not only itself in future danger,and is losing support around the world from Us,UK etc..but is putting ALL Jews in potential danger,as the world(wrongly) assumes that Jews all agree with everything that happens in Israel. We expected muslims to 'speak out' against 9/11.so why should J street not have its voice.Whether they are right or wrong,they are entitled to a dialogue.Even I as an Israeli citizen am shouted down if I try to express opinions which I happen to believe are valid and which are intended to be constructive.I wish to see peace with our neighbours, and dont think that history is always a justification of refusal to alter one's way of thinking.

According to this article from the Jerusalem Post. http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=169324 he was never meant to be meeting them in the first place.

a part of this club? If not, why stick your nose where it doesn't belong? Aren't there enough sites in which to sling mud at Israel and its Jewish population?

We still have some commonsense, unlike some outsiders calling for rightsto change the course of Israel policy in some regards, without being part of it. Haaretz would like us to validate organisations that do carry its hope to advancing its own agenda. To be fair, then, what shouldn't Israel validate the right to interfere to all the NGO's that are disenfranchising the DEMOCRATIC voice of its own citizen?! Unfortunately no one has been able to asses the damage done to a development of a civic society in Israel, not only among the Jews but also the Arab citizens, as a result of those Organisations. Yes, it's now the time to render into Cesar its due.

Are you this critical of AIPAC. I haven't seen the concern from the right regarding AIPAC's involvement in Israeli affairs. Oh, you must mean the diaspora has no right to get involved unless they agree with you, and then its fine. grow up...

to Israel? I suspect not even once! Why should Israel even listen to people who have little affinity to the Jewish state - and possibly to Judaism as a civilization - let alone to those so eager to be critical of it, despite the fact that they have little or no first-hand knowledge of it, its geography, people and history? Is it all part of American arrogance toward the rest of the world, only in this case it manifests itself with regard to Israel?

To all the comments above claiming J-street is a traitorous organization supported by Jew haters. I am a staunch supporter of J-street. I am also a veteran of an elite anti-terrorism unit in the IDF. I do my reserve duty every year, and am dedicated to the Jewish state. I am not alone, there are many like me. It amazes me how instead of responding to the ideas and proposals of the left, so many just spew the venom of claims of anti-Semitism and Israel hating. But I'm sure according to these people I am a traitor too because I don't agree with their greater Israel ideology. Seems anyone who disagrees is an anti-Semite and hates Israel. Even those putting their lives on the line to protect it. Shame on you.

Max, you've received your answer. Draw your own conclusions. In their view you are not a Jew worthy of the name. As for you righteous Israelis, J Street is an American organization. It works to affect American policy, and as Americans we have every right to organize in this manner. If you don't want us to butt in to your affairs, then stop taking our aid (which is larger than given to any other country, stop using our loan guarantees, stop using our weapons, stop relying on our veto in the Security Council, stop stealing our technology and nuclear secrets, stop spying on our government, stop interfering in our politics, stop using our tax deductions to raise money for your settler activities, stop using the special trade privileges and economic perks that you've finagled out of our Congress, and then we will be happy to not give a frig about what your country does.

It seems as if Israel has for some times, since the attack on Gaza, accumulated acts of provocation towards the outside world, from repeated vitriolic criticisms of Sweden, Norway, Turkey to name just a few, to the public humiliation of the Turkish ambassador, the ridiculing of Obama on the question of putting an end to the settlements, to insulting J-street and recently the Dubai business. It is engaged on a slippery slope and seems determined to oppose and make a mockery of the few nations that still show a bit of patience in all possible ways.

You are completly wrong. The only people who support J Street in the United States are the radical far left socialiest wing of the Democratic Party. The only members of Congress who support J Street are those who look upon Israel as the cause of all America's Problems in world.Those congressmen believe if only Israel didn't exist we would have no problems in the Middle East; these include all the arabists in the White House, the State Department, and the Defense Department. Chief among them is the President of the United States whose associations included such known Anti- Semites as the Rev. Wright and the head of the Anti-Semitic Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan.

Ironically, your next story on the website is "Israel is Americans' fifth favorite place" (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1151390.html) a report on the enduring popularity of the Jewish state amongst Americans and the challenges that popularity faces amongst younger people and those to the left of center. What, if anything, is J Street likely to do to maintain or increase Israel's popularity? If it can't answer that question it can't justify the "pro-Israel" part of its self description. To maintain that J Street is "pro-Israel" because it lobbies the US government to pressure the Israeli to adopt policies that J Streets leadership think are in Israel's best interests (even though the Israeli electorate has rejected them) is also stretching the limits of the term "pro-Israel" beyond any meaning. It's hard to see why the Israeli government should be required to cooperate with an organization that is not -- objectively speaking -- pro-Israel.

you'll be no less Jewish than you are now. Secular left-wingers in Oregon may have been born to Jewish mothers, but they are as lost to the Jewish people as assimilated Jews have always been, whether absorbed into Hellenism, Catholicism or Bolshevism.

I support J Street but I am not Jewish. Does that make me an anti-semite?

It seems as if Israel has for some times, since the attack on Gaza, accumulated acts of provocation towards the outside world, from repeated vitriolic criticisms of Sweden, Norway, Turkey to name just a few, to the public humiliation of the Turkish ambassador, the ridiculing of Obama on the question of putting an end to the settlements, to insulting J-street and recently the Dubai business. It is engaged on a slippery slope and seems determined to oppose and make a mockery of the few nations that still show a bit of patience in all possible ways.

about Israel. As such, I invite them to take an active part in the various Jewish organizations in America and in Israel in which they can express their opinions in a non-confrontational manner. J Street as an organization, I am so sorry to observe, has chosen to embarrass Israel in public (habanat pnei adam btzibut) which goes against the very grain of Jewish values, especially when done by people who claim to be "pro-Israel". I suggest to the misguided souls, come and live with us in Israel and be part in our public and political life (a very dynamic one, incidentally) or stay in America and join those organizations that are pro-Israel and do so shoulder to shoulder with the Jews of Israel and their government.

If evidence of J Street's support for Israel are those Congressmen?women it brought over to visit, then there is no support whatsoever. Let's put the cards on the table--J Street does not have Israel;s interests at heart, it has its own agenda-the survival of a Jewish State is not on that listn matter what it says.

not just the Israeli ambassador, but no Jew in the world should even talk to them. I remember the J-streeters in the middle ages, they usually wore the white robe of dominican inquisitors...

...Israel. They can do it in a variety of ways, both in the US and in Israel. Indeed, they can contribute to the well being of Israel, both in terms of ideas as well as in various practical ways. Sadly, J Street type approach is simply unacceptable in that all indications are that this organization is not really interested in "quite diplomacy" and collaboration with the elected government of Israel. It is rather interested in making waves and being confrontational with Israel's legitimate government and its officials. This is simply not acceptable since it is indeed a legitimate government voted into office by fellow Jews, and non-Jews, citizens of the Jewish state of Israel. Collaborate with us, in other words, but don't try to confront us as an adversary.

your tirade against Jews is apalling, pathetic, and typically drenched in ignorant arrogance. You may not even quality as the worst of the 4 sons (a passover thing that probably passes over you each year). Your paranoia is so predictable- looking over your shoulders for the Jewish villain that keeps reminding your of your Jewishness and at the same time licking the hand and wagging your tail for approval by the non-Jews of the world. caught in limbo due to a royal birth with no concept of royalty! Your Pro-Secular-American-Jewish lobby actually represents the majority opinion amongst kindergarten educated American Jews whose Jewish neshamas were never cultivated, watered and nurtured. A good plumber, maybe- but not a Jewish maven! Try some H O N E S T Y!

the right to affect change in a country in which you refuse to be a citizen, and in so doing shoulder the responsibilities of that country, Israel that is? If and when J Street supporters wish to affect change in Israel they are welcome to move to Israel and participate in the entire fabric of life here, including benefit from being here with us as well as suffer the consequences of decisions we make the consequences of which we must pay. It is insulting to read an American telling us, Israelis, how to conduct our lives while she/he is sipping coffee at Starbucks in the United States or watching on TV how our young men and women put their lives on the line to protect this Jewish homeland.

Demanding to be taken seriously for what????? J Street does not represent Israel or even the majority of Jews in the US. The politics and agendas of JStreet are not Israels, a sovereign country of it's own who can decide for themselves which Jewish groups they wish to work with and listen to.

I am a JStreet organizer at my college, and I am deeply concerned about the reaction this article has engendered. I am a secular Jew, but I take my Jewish identity very seriously. I support and defend the existence of a Jewish homeland, while also demanding that my government do more to advance the cause of peace. I have serious concerns with the direction of Israeli policy, but none so radical would make me out of place on the Israeli left. Do Israelis really want young American Jews like me to feel like we can't support Israel if we feel compelled to criticize Israeli policy? Would you rather we left behind our idea of our Jewish identity? When you say politically engaged, liberal Jews like me aren't really Jews or supporters of Israel, you alienate a slice of the population that you should be wooing. JStreets critics should spend more time thinking about why JStreet has so quickly generate such a large following.

Anti-Israel leaders joined together with an agenda committed to our demise. They are as pro-Israel as the Goldstone report, the KKK and Saudi Arabia. They are NOT representative of US sentiment, just a very organized group of persons blinded by the love of Yassir Arafat, Ahmadinijad and Sheikh Yassin. The Foreign Ministry's response may have been wrong, but their ability to "know thine enemy" is right on target!

The article is quite right except that government politics are not just from the sake of being government politics. Most of the comments reveal the hysteric and paranoïd climate amidst those who pretend to dictate to all jewry their way of living.

J Street is as pro-Jewish as Birobidgan. It's actions, agenda and utterances speak for themselves -- as these latter day red diaper crybabies undermine Israel and go against the values and preferences of the overwhelming majority of Israelis. As Americans they have every right to engage in hostile activity toward Israel. But they have no right to claim to be pro-Israel. Simply saying it does not make it so. But we all know what happens when the big lie is repeated often enough. Israel has no obligation to recognize this group any more than it is obligated to recognize any other anti-Israel lobby. Indeed, J Street missions should be denied admission a priori and returrned to the US aboard the next flight out.

J street wants to get Israel's recognition as a legit "pro-Israel organization, which is exactly why Israel should continue to snub them. Israel is a sovereign state and NOT obligated to meet or recognize J-Street. The author fails to note that Congressional delegations that come to Israel must confirm their meeting schedule ahead of time with the Foreign Ministry and Israel is NOT obligated to meet these congressmen via intermediaries (J-Street). Israel's Foreign Ministry made it clear they had no problem meeting with the delegation - just without J-Street being there. Finally, J street claims in has 150,000 members- not all of whom are Jews and certainly NOT the elite! (whatever that means) and certainly a minuscule % of American Jewry (6 million strong). J Street is indeed insignificant and therefore should not be given any recognition by Israel!

Isolation is better than living a lie, founded on compromised, leftist, enemy arguments.

J Street - pro-Israel ? http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=169324

As a veritable self-hating American Jew I cannot but be appalled at the right-wings barbaric, unreasonable, and vitriolic campaign against the rest of the world. Please, continue with your spate of sickly diatribes against everyone who disagrees with you. I'm not sure whether I will laugh or cry when this hubris proves devastating, as it will surely bring down a great number of intelligent, humanistic, and otherwise proud Jews.

The J is for Jihad. J street is an anti Israel group. Israel cannot afford to be nice to it simply because it has some Jewish backing (and a lot of Arab backing).

Boycotting the Soros supported, Arab supported useful idiots of the anti-Israel and self hating Jews in America makes an awful lot of sense. We do not need to associate ourselves or our nation with trash, especially Jew-hating and self-hating trash from America.

If the hysteric spasms of fear from the above commenters are any indication, I would say Israeli's are beginning to gain an understanding of the portent of J-Street and the current nature of their relationship with American Jews. Contrary to such self serving assertions as; "...that probably includes a majority of ethnic Jews, but a very small minority of affiliated Jews...." The reality is quite the bucket of cold water. J-Street is not a "Pro-Israel" lobby per se. It is a Pro-Secular-American-Jewish lobby that actually represents the majority opinion amongst American Jewry. As such, its main goal is to affect change in Israel in such a way as to finally allow American Jews go home, go to bed, and finally be Americans, without the hyphen. They're tired of you. They have no interest in "Greater Israel", settlements, or kool-aide drinking, racist, settlers. They're tired of Israelis who compete with them for jobs in the US and elsewhere. Your hubris and arrogance is your folly.

dealt with accordingly. It is time J Street leaders and supporters realized: Israel is a sovereign state, a democratic one at that, and its elected officials and government have been placed there by Israel's citizens' free will. Many - not all - of J Street supporters could of course ascend to Israel, become citizens of the country and take an active part in Israel's political life. But they have chosen to TELL US, Israeli citizens, from abroad, how to govern ourselves. This is a form of arrogance that Israeli citizens can't and shouldn't accept. Sure, if J Street objects to certain policies they could do so in private. But its leaders have chosen to collaborate with some of Israel's worst enemies and embarrass the Jewish state. This is simply unacceptable and should cease without any delay!!!

has removed "pro-Israel" from posters explaining Jstr at US campuses. Yet here he claims he is against "delegitimization of Israel" If removing "pro-Israel" is not delegitimisation ,so what is ?

venom spouting talkbacks do not. The civilised Meir knows one does not have to agree with a state, an individual, or a movement in order to have constructive discussions and expressions of (dis)agreement. Sadly, the recent display of undiplomatic actions and language from Israel are anything but civilised. This merely gives ammunition to those who hate Israel and embarrasses those who love it.

J Street is a nothing organization that wants to gain relevance by joining the party. They are really meaningless, as witnessed by Israelis who would not give them the time of day. Who the heck are they ?? Ben-Ami and his crew of usurpers is here for one reason, to undermine the Jewish State with their left leaning Appeasement. Sorry, we are not buying.

J Street is just typical of affected Jews who are as phony and misguided as a 3 dollar bill. They think passification and apologizing will get results. Forget it..The world is always against Israel and Jewry and they better wake up,smell the roses and use their energies in TOTAL support of Jews and Israel. Frankly,their behavior nauseates me.

This Op-Ed reflects ignorance of the American Jewish Community. J-Street does NOT reflect the elite of the American Jewish community. It reflects a mixture of people from all different backgrounds--J Street will not release its donors--that probably includes a majority of ethnic Jews, but a very small minority of affiliated Jews. Most are people that have little or no connection with organized Jewish life, be it synagogue, JCC, Jewish Federation, or non-partisan Israel related charities. While some people, likely including Jeremy Ben-Ami are not of impure motives, most rank and file and big donors are long standing anti-Israel activists who see this as an opportunity to gain credibility for their anti-Israel activism by wrapping it under the guise of "Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace." If you have to keep repeating "Pro-Israel" as much as they do...

J Street Jews or the Marranos of America will one day become the subject of historians, whereas the courageous Zionist pioneers that settle on barren hilltops in Judea and Samaria under the flag of Israel will inculcate the admirable principles of Jewish national self-determination to their children and children's children.