Does AIPAC no longer represent the broad political spectrum of American Jews? Do all American Jews hold the same viewpoint regarding Israel and the peace process? Must Jews who are liberal regarding domestic politics also be liberal regarding the Middle East – or vice versa? These are just some of the questions the American Jewish community is asking itself since the formation of J Street, a Jewish lobby dedicated to promoting diplomacy in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Formed in the 2008, the lobby has a decidedly left-leaning slant, which attracts a whole slew of American Jews who prefer a soft versus hard approach regarding the Middle East. The flip side, though, is that we currently have in office a president who is making us question, for the first time since the 1960s, the solidity of America’s friendship with Israel.
With J Street wrapping up its first ever conference, Rocky Mountain Jew brings you links to some of the commentary on this growing new lobby.
- J Street’s official wrap-up report
- JJ Abrams, “How can J Street support and question Israel at the same time?” (Ha’aretz)
- Rebecca Abou-Chedid on how J Street enables Arab-Americans to work for peace (Foreign Policy)
- Does J Street reveal a split in America’s Israel lobby? (Christian Science Monitor)
