J Street as Jewish Political Cover for Obama and Democrats
By Dan Gilgoff, God & Country
The most interesting bit I picked up about J Street in reporting on its inaugural conference this week: The liberal Jewish group is not seeking to influence President Obama's Middle East policy. Rather, it wants to give him the political cover to pursue strategies in the region that he has already articulated, including restarting Israeli/Palestinian peace talks, insisting that Israel freeze settlements, and negotiating with Iran.
"Our primary mission is to open up political space," Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street's executive director, told me yesterday. "There has not been a political base of support for these positions, and our mission is to open space for policymakers to pursue what they know is right for America."
Translation: J Street wants to give the Obama administration Jewish political cover as more-hawkish Jewish groups voice skepticism or outright opposition to the president's approach to Israel. Ben-Ami and his supporters want to counter the impression that all American Jews endorse everything Israel does.
Remind you of anyone?
Sounds similar to what groups like Faith in Public Life are trying to do, countering the impression that all Christians, particularly evangelicals, are right-wingers who are only about culture war issues. A big part of what they do is give Obama and the Democrats Christian political cover on issues like healthcare and climate change.
And newish groups like Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good provide Roman Catholic cover for the White House and the Democrats.
That's not to say that these groups are acting cynically or dishonestly. They truly feel that conservatives have monopolized the political discourse for too long.
The danger, of course, is that these outfits become appendages of the Democratic Party, the equivalent of what they say the religious right has become to the GOP. We'll have to wait and see.
- See President Obama's top faith leaders.
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Tags: Israel | politics | religion
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Reader Comments
Care about the world
and we all will be better off. Too many say support Israel no matter what they do. I would not if it were my own government - why would I do this for them?
I support moral behavior, and ask that our policy support nations who promote peace and treats others decently, respect official borders, and do not invade soverign nation. I do not support our government if it misses the mark on these subjects -
It is laughable that folks are called anti-Semitic if they don't give Israel carte blanche. The arabs in the Middle East are Semites too, so the term is completely pointless. I support the state of Israel within their original borders, not bombing their neighbors, and not settling in land that is not theirs.
J Street's reasonable approach that encourages peace is welcomed. None of the groups - AIPAC or J Street - should have special contact with the White House.
I think also it is strange to have a citizen of another country in such a high White House position. Emanuel is often conflicted when discussing the Middle East. He should withdraw from conversations on this topic (as judges or lawyers do) due to his dual citizenship. We need a solution to issues that defend America's best interests - no one elses. As an honorable person, he should see the logic in this.
J Street & Obama
When are you folks going to wake up and see what is going on around you??? Obama doesn't give a damn about Isreal or anyone else. All he wants to do is control everyone and everything in the United States and any where else he can get his hands on. For all the dumb asses that voted for "change", well you sure as hell are getting change. But not what you voted for. I tried to tell folks before the election that he was bad news, but no one listens to a old man.
peace in the middle east
you can't be serious !any talk on peace can begin a posibility saving lives on either side the president only want to stop this war that nobody is going to win.everyone on this earth who love their god should pray for a end to this war.give peace a chance and pray that president obama will bring peace to the middle east.
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