J Street

J Street is a liberal advocacy group focused on United States foreign policy and Middle East issues, founded in 2008 by Jeremy Ben-Ami, a former Bill Clinton White House staffer, and Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator. The organization aims to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with support from American Jewish leaders like Rabbi David Saperstein and Debra DeLee. J Street has been compared to other pro-Israel groups like AIPAC and Americans for Peace Now, but with a more progressive stance, similar to New Israel Fund and T'ruah.

● History

J Street was founded in 2008, during the presidency of George W. Bush, with the goal of providing a more liberal and dovish voice on Israel and Middle East issues, in contrast to more hawkish groups like EMET and Zionist Organization of America. The organization's early supporters included Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, and Congressman Gary Ackerman, a Democratic member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. J Street's launch was also endorsed by Israeli peace activists like Amos Oz and David Grossman, as well as Palestinian leaders like Salam Fayyad and Hanane Ashrawi. The organization has been involved in various advocacy campaigns, including efforts to promote a two-state solution and to oppose settlement expansion in the West Bank, similar to the work of B'Tselem and Peace Now.

● Mission and Views

J Street's mission is to promote a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a focus on diplomacy and negotiation, rather than military action, as advocated by Shimon Peres and Yossi Beilin. The organization supports Israeli security and self-defense, but also believes that occupation and settlement expansion are major obstacles to peace, a view shared by Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu. J Street has been critical of Israeli settlement policy, as well as Palestinian terrorism and incitement, and has called for a freeze on settlement construction, similar to the position of European Union and United Nations. The organization has also been a strong supporter of Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, negotiated by Barack Obama and John Kerry, and has advocated for a more nuanced approach to Middle East policy, taking into account the views of Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan.

● Activities and Initiatives

J Street has been involved in a range of advocacy campaigns and initiatives, including efforts to promote a two-state solution, to oppose settlement expansion, and to support Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, similar to the work of Search for Common Ground and Hand in Hand. The organization has also worked to promote pro-Israel and pro-peace voices within the American Jewish community, through partnerships with groups like Ameinu and Partners for Progressive Israel. J Street has been a strong supporter of Israeli peace organizations, such as Peace Now and B'Tselem, and has worked to promote people-to-people diplomacy and cultural exchange between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as with other countries in the region, like Morocco and Tunisia. The organization has also been involved in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, working to influence US foreign policy and to promote a more progressive approach to Middle East issues, in cooperation with Congressional Progressive Caucus and Jewish Democratic Council of America.

● Criticism and Controversy

J Street has faced criticism and controversy from some pro-Israel groups, who have accused the organization of being too critical of Israel and too soft on Palestinian terrorism, a view shared by Alan Dershowitz and Martin Peretz. The organization has also been criticized by some Palestinian groups, who have accused J Street of being too close to the Israeli establishment and too reluctant to criticize Israeli human rights abuses, a criticism also leveled by Ali Abunimah and Omar Barghouti. J Street has responded to these criticisms by arguing that it is committed to Israeli security and self-defense, while also promoting a two-state solution and human rights for Palestinians, a position supported by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The organization has also faced controversy over its funding, with some critics accusing J Street of receiving support from anti-Israel donors, a claim denied by George Soros and Peter Lewis.

● Organization and Funding

J Street is a non-profit organization with a board of directors that includes American Jewish leaders like Rabbi David Saperstein and Debra DeLee, as well as Israeli peace activists like Amos Oz and David Grossman. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a staff of around 50 people, including lobbyists, policy analysts, and communications specialists. J Street's budget is around $5 million per year, with funding coming from a range of sources, including donations from individuals and foundations, as well as grants from organizations like New Israel Fund and T'ruah. The organization has also received support from liberal Jewish donors like George Soros and Peter Lewis, as well as from progressive organizations like MoveOn.org and Democracy for America.

● Political Impact

J Street has had a significant impact on US foreign policy and Middle East issues, particularly during the presidency of Barack Obama, when the organization played a key role in promoting the Iran nuclear deal and opposing settlement expansion in the West Bank. The organization has also been a strong supporter of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, and has worked to promote a more nuanced approach to Middle East policy, taking into account the views of Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan. J Street's lobbying efforts have been influential on Capitol Hill, where the organization has worked to promote pro-Israel and pro-peace legislation, in cooperation with Congressional Progressive Caucus and Jewish Democratic Council of America. The organization's advocacy campaigns have also helped to shift the public discourse on Israel and Middle East issues, with a focus on promoting a two-state solution and human rights for Palestinians, a position supported by International Crisis Group and Carter Center.