JStreet

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J Street

JStreet is an organization that, according to its website, "was founded to change the dynamics of American politics and policy on Israel and the Middle East." Observers believe that the group, while nominally supporting Israel, is a pro-Palestinian wolf-in-sheep's-clothing.[1]

Merge with JStreet

As of January 1, 2010, the Jewish Alliance for Justice & Peace was incorporated into the J Street Education Fund to "strengthen the pro-Israel pro-peace movement and to advocate for strong American leadership to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as a broader regional peace." At this point the two organizations integrated all of their staff, chapters and programs into J Street.[2]

Communist participant

On 26–29 October 2009, Erwin Marquit traveled to Washington DC to attend the first national conference of JStreet, the nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 2008 to promote a resolution of the Israel- Palestine conflict through a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

I attended the conference on 26-28 October and participated in lobbying members of the Congress on 29 October.[3]

JStreet Education Fund

The J Street Education Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) that aims to educate targeted communities "about the need for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raise the visibility of a mainstream pro-Israel, pro-peace presence within the American Jewish community, and promote open, dynamic and spirited conversation about how to best advance the interests and future of a democratic, Jewish Israel." J Street Local, J Street’s national field program and J Street U, J Street’s on campus movement are programs of the J Street Education Fund.[1]

Mideast Congressional Mission

In February 2010, the first J Street-sponsored congressional mission toured Israel, Jordan and Palestinian-controlled areas. Five members of Congress participated in the tour; Lois Capps, Bill Delahunt, Bob Filner, Mary Jo Kilroy, and Donald Payne.

It was stated that the mission "will meet with Israeli government and opposition leaders as well as key regional leaders, including Jordanian King Abdullah II and Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. The delegation will travel widely in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and Jordan taking a close look at the situation on the ground through the eyes of policy makers and civil society leaders."[4]

“Redefine what it means to be pro-Israel”

The national J Street group, aims to “redefine what it means to be pro-Israel” and marshal American support for a two-state solution, said J Street Director of Media and Communications Jessica Rosenblum. The organization says the details of the negotiation should be worked out between Israel and Palestine, but Rosenblum said the organization believes a two-state agreement would likely create a border between the two states mostly based on land divisions before the 1967 Six-Day War.

At the conference, titled “Our Time to Lead,” students attended panels and lectures with experts, non-governmental organization advocates and Israeli, Palestinian and American officials, including Israel’s Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni and Vice President Joe Biden. The event attracted 3,000 participants, mostly Jewish-Americans, with about 900 students from across the country.

Rosenblum said J Street chose to invite politicians from six of Israel’s different parties to show the widespread support for a two-state solution across party lines, not to make a political statement....

The Two Campaign, a new national effort spearheaded by J Street. The goal of the campaign is to demonstrate the American Jewish community’s widespread support of a two-state solution using advertising, petitioning, town hall meetings and campus activism, Rosenblum said.[5]

JStreetPAC

JStreetPAC is the first and only federal political action committee established to explicitly promote meaningful American leadership to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict peacefully and diplomatically.

The PAC's goal is to demonstrate that there is meaningful support available to candidates for federal office from large numbers of Americans who believe a new direction in American policy will advance US interests in the Middle East and promote real peace and security for Israel and the region.

Endorsement principles

To be eligible for JStreetPAC endorsement, a candidate must demonstrate that they subscribe to the following core pro-Israel, pro-peace principles:

  • Support for a two-state solution resulting in two states for two peoples, with Israel as a Jewish democratic homeland living side by side in peace and security with an independent Palestine
  • Support for active U.S. leadership to bring about a negotiated two-state solution and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • Support for the special relationship between the United States and Israel, including robust American military aid to Israel
  • Support for continued aid to the Palestinian Authority or any other Palestinian governing entity that renounces violence, recognizes Israel’s right to exist, and honors past agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
  • Opposition to the Boycott/Divestment/Sanction (BDS) movement[6]

2008 election

In 2008, JStreetPAC’s inaugural cycle, the PAC endorsed 41 candidates – 3 for the Senate and 38 for the House. Of the 41 endorsees, 33 candidates won, including four in highly competitive races for open seats and four challengers who unseated incumbents. The PAC distributed over $578,000 to our endorsees, more than any other pro-Israel PAC in the two-year cycle, despite only launching publicly in April 2008. Our endorsements made a real difference in a number of tight contests, often helping to edge out entrenched incumbents in favor of fresh voices, more open to change.

The PAC endorsed candidates from all corners of the country, Republicans and Democrats, Arab-Americans and Jews, incumbents and first-time challengers. By November 2008, JStreetPAC had sent a strong message that a new pro-Israel, pro-peace voice was ready to shake up Washington.[7]

2010 election

In 2010, JStreetPAC grew into a major political force. The PAC endorsed 61 candidates – 3 for the Senate and 58 for the House. Of the 61 endorsees, 45 won their races - despite the tough political climate. The PAC distributed over $1.5 million dollars to our candidates, more than any other pro-Israel PAC in history. JStreetPAC was responsible for 30 percent of pro-Israel PAC money donated to federal candidates in 2010 and raised an average of $24,520 per candidate.

In addition to the JStreetPAC’s impressive 2010 successes, J Street commissioned extensive Election Day polling of Jewish voters. To learn what motivated Jewish voters in 2010.[8]

2012 election

The 2012 cycle was an historical one for JStreetPAC. The PAC endorsed 71 candidates, 70 of whom won their races. An astounding 20 of 21 endorsees in races classified as competitive by Cook Political Report emerged victorious on Election Day. Endorsees ranged from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, to former DNC Chairman Sen. Tim Kaine. The PAC distributed over $1.8 million to endorsed candidates’ campaigns, making JStreetPAC the largest pro-Israel PAC in the country for three straight cycles. JStreetPAC was responsible for 35 percent of pro-Israel PAC money contributed to candidates in 2012 and raised an average of $26,000 per candidate.

In 2012 J Street also went on offense against some of the most vocal Congressional opponents of a two-state solution, a group we called the "One State Caucus." We aired television and web ads and sent mail to educate voters in targeted Congressional districts about their local candidates' views on our issue.[9]

Seven Senate and 63 House endorsees from 26 states will serve in the next Congress. Among them are the Chairs or Ranking Members of five committees, including the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Armed Services Committee, and the Chairs and Ranking Members of 32 subcommittees, as well as the chairs of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

On the House side, 63 of 64 endorsed candidates won. Ami Bera’s race in California’s seventh district may still face a recount. Among the victors were six candidates who ran against members of what J Street calls the “One-State Caucus,” comprised of Members of Congress who promote policies that put Israel’s Jewish democratic future at risk.

JStreetPAC’s innovative use of online fundraising mobilized thousands of small donors in parallel to a network of high-level political donors. The PAC also held dozens of fundraising events attended by the candidates across the country. In total, nearly 3500 of people have contributed to pro-Israel, pro-peace candidates through the PAC this cycle, with an average donation size of $174. [10]

2014 election

JStreetPAC distributed over $2.4 million to its 95 endorsed candidates — the most in history by a pro-Israel PAC.

JStreetPAC endorsees outperformed their colleagues in a tough political environment. With votes still being tallied, endorsees are leading or have won in 77of 95 races, and 90% of JStreetPAC endorsed incumbents are leading or have won.

The 114th Congress will be the most pro-Israel, pro-peace in history and will include 12 Senators and 72 Congressmen endorsed by JStreetPAC.

50% more JStreetPAC endorsed Senators will serve in the 114th Congress than in the previous Congress and nearly 40% of the House Democratic Caucus will be JStreetPAC endorsed.

JStreetPAC was a top bundler in the key Senate battlegrounds of Iowa, Colorado, Georgia and New Hampshire, raising an average of over $190,000 each for Jeanne Shaheen, Michelle Nunn, Bruce Braley and Mark Udall.

JStreetPACʼs bipartisan slate of endorsees included key members of House and Senate leadership, such as Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman James Clyburn.

JStreetPAC was responsible for nearly 40% of funds distributed to candidates, and over half of funds distributed to Democratic candidates, by the 30 pro-Israel PACs in 2014.[11]

Personnel

Advisory Council

Circa 2013 over 160 former public officials, policy experts, community and academic leaders serve on the J Street Advisory Council.[12]

Staff

As at April 27, 2010, the following served on the staff for the organization:[13]

Government Affairs

Communications and New Media

J Street Education Fund

J Street Local

Political

External links

References

Template:Reflist

  1. ↑ Jump up to: 1.0 1.1 About
  2. ↑ About
  3. ↑ [Erwin Marquit memoirs, page 560-561]
  4. ↑ JTA website: J Street sends first Mideast congressional mission, Feb. 15, 2010
  5. ↑ [http://www.browndailyherald.com/2013/10/07/students-redefine-pro-israel-stance-j-street-conference-d-c/, The Brown Daily Herald, Students redefine ‘pro-Israel’ stance at J Street Conference in D.C.By Abigail Savitch-Lew Staff Writer Monday, October 7, 2013]
  6. ↑ JStreetPAC prociples
  7. ↑ JStreetPAC Election 2008 Report
  8. ↑ JStreetPAC Election 2010 Report
  9. ↑ JStreetPAC Election 2012 Report
  10. ↑ Street Blog, JStreetPAC Scores Big in 2012 Election NOVEMBER 7TH, 2012
  11. ↑ JStreetPAC 2014 Election Cycle at a Glance
  12. ↑ [1]
  13. ↑ JStreet website: Staff
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