As an early member of J Street, the liberal pro-Israel lobby, I am heartened that the fledgling group is now recognized as a voice for American Jews that does not follow the party line. Early in its brief seven-year history, J Street was not welcomed in some Baltimore synagogues when it sought space to meet. It was viewed negatively for advocating a two-state solution, a halt to the building of settlements and opposition to the hard line policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This is no longer the case. J Street has arrived, and the powerful Jewish lobby AIPAC (American Israel Political Action Committee) is now aware that it does not speak for every American Jew.
Last week, 3,000 J Street members met in Washington. Among them were 1,100 college and university students who came from as far away as Washington State and California, with 33 flying in from Stanford University.
In addition to former Secretary of State James Baker and President Obama's Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, both of whom addressed plenary sessions, the most exciting speaker was Stav Shaffir who, at 29, is the youngest member of the Knesset. As a member of the Finance Committee, she exposed a secret budget which funnels large amounts of money to support the settlements and the religious parties.
The former journalist and leader of the Israeli social protest movement did not hide her contempt for Mr. Netanyahu, saying that were he to leave office tomorrow there would be no trace of any accomplishments for which he would be remembered and extolled. Ms. Shaffir appears fearless and ambitious, and the fact that she is also quite a beauty did not go unnoticed.
J Street today is clearly on the national radar. The young students at the conference are patriotic Americans but as Jews feel that the path Israel is taking under its current leadership is dangerous and wins it more enemies with each year that passes. It is hoped that President Barack Obama and the Israeli leader will mend their differences. The current divide has not been helped by Mr. Netanyahu's partisanship and "troubling" comments Mr. McDonough mentioned in his talk.
It is urgent that the fences between the two countries be mended.
Janet Heller, Baltimore