Commenting on J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami "What Does it Really Mean to Be Pro-Israel?"

A few comments re J Street's Jeremy Ben-Ami on What it Means to be Pro-Israel

The Thanksgiving weekend is perhaps not the ideal time to be reading - or reacting to - a lengthy treatise from J Street’s Jeremy Ben-Ami on Substack “What Does it Really Mean to Be Pro Israel? (which Jeremy Ben-Ami writes, he will flesh out in greater detail in weeks to come)
But needs must! So a few preliminary thoughts but NOT a point-by-point response.

Just to restate: My views are solely my views. I am no-longer an employee ofAIPAC. It is neither my desire nor my responsibility to seek to defend, explain or advocate AIPAC’s approach - either in general or with respect to J Street.

That having been said; obviously AIPAC’s focus is to support the US-Israel relationship and those who support that relationship and to support U.S. legislation and policy (and Congressional candidates) to that end. But it is true that as a norm; AIPAC does not publicly criticize the actions of the Government of Israel or advocate actions that AIPAC feels the Government of Israel should adopt. And AIPAC certainly doesn’t advocate or lobby the Administration or Congress to apply US pressure on or impose sanctions on Israel.

In his piece; Jeremy Ben-Ami sets out his 10 key principles for being Pro-Israel

1. Israel is the National Homeland of the Jewish People.
2. Palestine is the National Homeland of the Palestinian People.
3. The US Should Provide Security Assistance to the State of Israel.
4. You Can Support Israel and Criticize Its Government’s Actions and Policies.
5. Annexation and Settlement Expansion Endanger Israel and Its Democracy.
6. Democracy Must Be Protected – in the United States and Israel.
7. A Regional, Comprehensive 23-State Solution Will Secure Israel’s Future.
8. Iran’s Threats Must Be Countered – by Multilateral Diplomacy and Deterrence.
9. Antisemitism Must Be Fought Without Shutting Down Free Speech.
10. Everything Else Also Matters.

While I look forward to Jeremy Ben-Ami’s promised elaborating of J Street’s positions on these issues in greater detail; I would suggest that some of these points are simplistic; based on theory over facts; and would entail Israel’s security being contingent on J Street being accurate in their assessment of Palestinians, Iranians, other Arab countries goals. Others are based on J Street’s positions on non-Israel- matters, which regardless of whether they’re “right or wrong” may not have always have a place in setting out what’s best for Israel’s future,

J Street - like every American organization - Jewish or otherwise; pro-Israel or otherwise has the right to express their views and advocate policy for the US and Israel. But of course J Street take that concept, many steps further.

I would as a general rule adhere to the belief that the central element of supporting Israel is that after you offer your views or advice and then you accept that the ones who suffer the potential consequences from making the wrong decision; should be the ones who ultimately must make the decision. That is why I have absolutely no problem with Israelis opposing Israeli actions or Government policies precisely because they have the ultimate skin in the game.

Furthermore as a general touchstone for a liberal American Jewish Organization; I’d suggest look at what the Israeli Zionist Left is advocating or opposing regarding Israeli security or defense issues. And then it’s on you to explain why you’re position are opposite to that.
As a general rule of thumb; when it comes to security issues for Israel; supporters of Israel should probably take their lead from the Government of Israel, the IDF and other security agencies especially is there is a general consensus from parties across the spectrum such as it basically on Iran. Obviously they can be mistaken. Obviously you can offer your views. But to lobby against positions they’re taken regarding Israeli security matters - be it Iranian nuclear or other; Hezbollah, Gaza; or the West Bank seems extremely dangerous. If you really care about Israel.

I agree that supporting Israel, doesn’t mean providing unquestioning support for any and all policies and actions of Government of Israel. And like most American Jews; I probably wish some of their policies were somewhat different! But in the end American Jews are AMERICAN Jews. They may have family there as so many do. They may visit the country (or even come from their.) But ultimately their “stake” in the game is much less. Even if hypothetically, J Street's views did represent the views of the majority of Jewish Americans; that wouldn’t make their positions the right ones for Israel. Or even more importantly; that J Street should work to force Israel to adopt “their” policies.

There is little question that those not sympathetic to Israel in the US use J Street as a shield to defend themselves. And there’s no question that J Street supports Congressional Candidates who might be less pro-Israel than the alternative- precisely because J Street don’t predicate their endorsement solely on the Israel issue. Is it reasonable to support Congressional candidates because you support them on a variety of other issues? Absolutely. But then you’re doing so as a multi-issue organization rather than as solely a pro-Israel one.

I am certainly not the “gatekeeper” for determining what is and what is not “Pro-Israel.” (But neither is J Street!) It is is not completely-unreasonable to suggest that after many decades in the world of Pro-Israel activism and following the activities of anti-Israel activism; I do have some general sense of what being “Pro-Israel” means. As Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously said 60 years ago about Pornography: "I know it when I see it.”

With respect to J Street: Over the more than 15 years of J Street’s existence; I have read most of J Street’s press releases and reports and attended all their national conferences as a guest (which I hope J Street will continue to permit!) If I had to summarize my conclusions (which have always been a little “ambivalent.”) I think, to be charitable, J Street oversells itself as a strong supporter of Israel; especially as being the primary mission of that organization. And some of its statements; positions; staffers and financial backers lend some credence to that questioning of the organization.

I however am delighted to fully agree with Jeremy’s first point: “Israel is the National Homeland of the Jewish People” and I look forward to reading further from J Street about what they conclude should be a Pro-Israel agenda and how to go about achieving it.

[For anyone interested: Three of my recent Substack pieces;
The Pro-Israel Week in Review "A few good days for J Street. A few bad days for Israel." - A Few Meandering Thoughts.
J Street? -
Friends of Israel?