Recently, I have been researching the two major American Jewish lobbies for Israel, AIPAC and J Street. I hold with the belief that the partition of the British Mandate into two states in 1947/48 was just. Up to several years ago, the Arab/Palestinian faction was the main obstacle to a 2 STATE solution/peace. Since October 7th, 2023, Israelis have for the most part lost heart with peace efforts. That portion that remains Peace Now is about 23%.
AIPAC is the older, more established of the two American groups. However, with Israel's hard right response in both Gaza and the West Bank, its reputation with the American public might become a political liability for Congress. I personally find J-Street's positions much more aligned with my current feelings about Israel.*
I'm penning this post because of an observation about J-Street. While AIPAC is now aligned with the Republicans and Democrats who staunchly support the current Israeli government, J-Street targets those considerably more to the left. I believe that they would benefit from a bigger tent. IMO, they need to understand that there are independents, and even Republicans, who still see 2 STATES as the only long term solution. While we support a very strong Israeli defense, we would like to see the offense governed by being the proverbial light As an independent, I'm more than a group of one, and hope that J Street becomes more inclusive.
the above misleading graphic was on Facebook. J Street does not want America to end support for Israel.
*Those interested in knowing about these groups should explore their respective websites
There is a site called "track Aipac" 95% of elected officials in both houses and parties have received money from Aipac. , a lot of money. Some might consider keeping up support for Israel with defensive weapons but limiting offensive weapons like 2000 bombs and bull dozers to do what has happened in Gaza and now Lebanon. The current leadership believes that Israel is destined to be a world super power and that it can eliminate any opposition within thousands of miles of its border.
ReplyDeleteSome believe Israel is protected by god, but as in 500+ bc they were destroyed because they did not follow gods word.
Relying on military power alone is a delusion, not only for Israel but all those who believe that they can rely on violent force alone.
There is zero consensus for a “Two State” solution.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn’t exist.
Period.
That effectively ended when Yassar Arafat walked away from the Clinton negotiations. Arafat never saw a good opportunity that he wasn’t willing to not take advantage of.
Not HAMAS, not the Muslim Brotherhood, not the P.A.or any Gulf State interlocutor even pretends it is a currently viable option.
It has no political traction in Israel.
anon@6:46: J Street has a proosed 23 State Solution, which includes all the Sunni nations, more or less imposing a sovereign Palestinian entity.
ReplyDeleteThe Massie Resolution received 104 votes, a clear barometer against the current status quo..
Shia Iran is the patron of the political terrorist organization Hamas, but of course you already know that.
DeleteHow many of those 104 want Israel removed from the face of the earth? The Democrat Socialists of America have taken over the democrat party and are clearly antisemitic and against Israel.
DeleteYou can ignore that and partner up with J Street while the socialists plot Israel's demise, but you're missing the much bigger issue that you SHOULD be concerned about, IF you really care about Israel.
Israel's influence is everywhere and it should be very concerning to all American’s. Even our local mayor has taken one of those free trips to Israel. What do they want from him? AiPAC should be required to register as a foreign lobby. No idea why we send so many resources there when 85% of this country is economically stagnant and our people don’t have a right to basic healthcare (Israel provides universal healthcare to its people).
ReplyDelete7:15 - Please spare me the socialist drivel about needing basic health care in this country. We fell for that with Obamacare, and we were supposed to get lower costs and be able to keep our doctors.
DeleteNeither happened. Instead, costs skyrocketed and democrats insisted on bankrupting the country by forcing us to pay for the healthcare of those entering the country illegally. All of that was an obvious byproduct of government involvement
In health care.
I know you’ll blame the failure of Obamacare on Trump, republicans, and anything else that you think might stick, but the truth is that SOCIALISM FAILS.
The failure of the two-state solution is not the fault of Israel, but rather the fault of the people in Gaza and Lebanon. They allowed terrorists to operate within their borders and attack Israel, and Israel has finally stepped up to eliminate the threat.
DeleteThere is no way the United States would have put up with similar attacks on our homeland from Mexico or Canada.
We shouldn’t be surprised that Israel is finally striking back effectively against the terrorists who attack it, we should be asking how they ever waited so long to do so.
anon@10:52: We know who I am. We know that I'm Jewish. We know that I have been to Israel and even studied there. Believe me that you can be concerned about Israel's well being and support J Street. On the other hand, there are partisan Republicans who defend anything aligned to this current administration. They're really defending Trump, not Israel and the Jews.
ReplyDeleteI’m most certainly not a partisan Republican. While I don’t agree with everything Trump, or Israel
ReplyDeletedoes, in general I support them both on Middle Eastern policy.
MOLOVINSKY on ALLENTOWN abandons Israel because his hate for tRump blinds his eyes and darkens his soul.
ReplyDeleteMM has in essence distanced himself from his Jewish roots, cultural and religiously.
ReplyDeleteSadly this is where MM finds himself in the late innings of his life.
I pray for Michael Molovinsky .
I hope others will join me.
Shocking that AIPAC would invest heavily to defeat a candidate who supports an anti Isreal terrorist group and co campaigns with the avowed anti semite Piker. Shame on them? Really Mike? Whoa you've really lost your bearing.
ReplyDeleteanon@10:53: Talk of "bearings", I assume you meant this comment on today's post, not this link. The point of the post is that even $60 million couldn't win a primary. As for your point, being anti-Israel and antisemitic unfortunately isn't that unique.
ReplyDelete