Do not sign the latest JStreet petition.

There are several reasons why in my opinion, people should NOT sign the J Street Petition.

First, these peace talks are at a very sensitive and critical juncture. The agenda for the peace talks and its sequencing is now being discussed between the U.S. and Israel. In order for these talks to resume and succeed, the two governments need to come to an understanding on these sensitive issues in quiet discussions with no outside intervention--even by well-meaning friends of Israel. Pushing the President to push Israel to accept any specific agenda could be counterproductive.

Second and sadly, a public U.S. statement calling for a specific agenda might push Abbas to reject any other agenda that might be agreed between the U.S. and Israel, thus possibly scuttling the resumption of the peace talks.

Third in essence, this is calling for an imposed a solution on Israel. As one who holds dual citizenship and who served in the Israeli army, whose son and other relatives live there and VOTE there, I find this to be particularly disturbing. In essence, this would curtail Israel’s independence. In addition, such an imposed solution would most likely ignore some very real security concerns and needs that Israel has. Of course, this has been part of JStreet’s ideology since its inception. JStreet is a “proscriptive” organization when it comes to the Middle East Peace process. ‘Israel will need to be saved from itself and we in Washington know what is best for Israel. (Israeli democracy be damned!) Of course, if we are wrong it is no big deal to us because we live here in safety and security. Israel on the other hand… Poor Israelis and Jews! They can never catch a break!’

Most Israelis by the way would view such an action by the Obama administration as being very anti Israel.

For this and other reasons, the only way towards any legitimate and long lasting agreement will be though direct negotiations between the two sides.

Finally, the tone of this sounds to me to be quite partisan. The petition begins with the words: “You (President Obama) have inspired me with your commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” On its web site, J-Street writes: “We have stood shoulder to shoulder with President Obama as he has repeatedly pushed both sides toward negotiations. Our community taken hundreds of thousands of actions in support of the President's vision of Middle East peace and his active efforts to make it a reality from day one.” I am beginning to think that on Israel, JStreet has become the left wing alternative to Matt Brooks and the Republican Jewish coalition? I certainly believe that it is in the best interest of Israel for our community to be bi partisan.

A claim is often made that JStreet allows for those who are so upset with Israel to become “involved.” Involved in what? I have not seen this. I have not seen JStreet supporters and rabbis working diligently to bring more people to Israel or to encourage more teens and college students to go there. Frankly as I see it, a sad result of JStreet has been to undermine American Jewish support for Israel.

So once again, I urge those of who are JStreet supporters. We all want peace. The language of such resolutions sounds good, the intentions may be well meaning but the actions called for will move the peace process backwards, not forward.

Before you sign on to the latest J Street petition, you might also want to take a look at Rabbi Micky Boyden’s latest on this issue. Micky, who lost a son in Lebanon, lives four miles from Qalqilia (which is near Kfar Saba). He does not live in the West Bank.

Micky writes: "The J Street petition affirms that its supporters have been inspired by President Obama’s commitment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the question is not whether J Street has been inspired but rather whether the Palestinians share the same aspirations. And that is an entirely different matter."

For the full item, go to http://weareforisrael.org/2010/11/30/borders-and-security-first/

Do not sign the latest JStreet petition.

Fred Guttman