Live blogging today at the J Street convention in DC. Here's my latest post for JTA's political blog, Capital J:
By Rachel Tepper · October 26, 2009The buzz surrounding the J Street conference at the Grant Hyatt Hotel in DC has apparently gotten around. The latest numbers indicate that 1500 people are in attendance -- blame late walk-in registrants for the lower number reported earlier -- and roughly 150 members of the press are currently milling about (including yours truly).
In addition, nearly 250 student representatives from 70 college campuses are taking part, representing what J Street executive director Jeremy Ben-Ami calls a "different set of emotions" when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Young people, explained Ben-Ami, have different associations with the state of Israel, as he says is only natural for those with a separate set of life experiences. J Street, he believes, is an organization which embraces these voices.
Ben-Ami offered some colorful responses to reporters in a midday press briefing Monday, calling the idea of a one-state solution a "one-state nightmare."
A question regarding the wall dividing Israel and the West Bank prompted Ben-Ami to respond, "good fences make good neighbors." The problem, he stressed, is not the wall's existence but its placement. He explained that a defined border, agreed upon by both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, must be established.
When asked his thoughts on the suggestion that J Street was a thorn in the side of Capitol Hill lawmakers, said Ben-Ami with a smile, "We're here to help." The Jewish perspective held by those with most political capital, he said, is not that held by most American Jews. These organizations, which Ben-Ami failed to name, have "for too long spoken for the community."
Ben-Ami said Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren's decision not to attend the conference "a serious mistake," and called the conference "truly the birth of a movement." Time will tell.
3 comments:
J Street does not express the opinion of most Jews; especially on their objective to divide Jerusalem. AIPAC, although not perfect, is a much better and more encompassing body than J Street.
Hey "Everyman," let's not forget that J Street's vision of Israel lies squarely in the middle of the Israeli mainstream, as evidenced by the support it has received from Tzipi Livni.
I'm tired of Jews telling other Jews what it means to be a good Jew. No one ever said we all had to think the same thing, but why do we need to jump down each others' throats for it? The whole "J Street/AIPAC/UJC/The ___ Movement doesn't represent American Jewry" argument is getting old fast. Clearly they all represent SOME segment of American Jewry, or they wouldn't all be thriving...
[Also: Can a comment be off the record? Because this is. This is in my unofficial Suburban Sweetheart capacity, not any other capacity!]
Good to see you today! Hang out for real soon?
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