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J Street’s Dishonest, Anti-Israel, Anti-Peace, Anti-Democracy Manifesto
J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami addressing the 2019 J Street National Conference. Photo: J Street via Flickr.
JNS.org – Since its founding, J Street has established itself as a far-left extremist organization that represents only a sliver of American Jewry. However, it attracts disproportionate media attention because it serves as a “man bites dog” story—Jews who oppose Israel. J Street published a 10-point manifesto to rationalize its positions, but its raison d’être can be summarized in a single sentence: To lobby the US government to impose the views of a small group residing far from Israel, who neither participate in its elections nor contribute their children to its military, upon the people of Israel, who alone bear the consequences of these misguided policies.
J Street’s manifesto opens by graciously acknowledging that “Israel is the national homeland of the Jewish people,” but it quickly distorts history. It fails to mention that, beginning with the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the international community recognized the Jewish people’s right to a national home in Palestine. Nor does it acknowledge that two-thirds of the land originally designated for the Jewish homeland was unilaterally excised to create Jordan.
The root of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the atrocities of Oct. 7, 2023, stems from the Islamist desire to eradicate the Jewish people—a goal first championed in the 1920s by Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Hitler-collaborating Mufti of Jerusalem. By 1947, Palestinians had already rejected multiple statehood offers, including the 1937 Peel Plan, the 1939 British White Paper and the 1947 U.N. partition plan. Instead of negotiating, Arab nations launched a war intended to annihilate Israel, not create a Palestinian state. The outcome of the war was the 19-year occupation of the West Bank by Jordan and of Gaza by Egypt. During that period, there were no demands by the Palestinians, the United Nations, human-rights organizations, campus activists or anyone else to end the occupation and create a Palestinian state. J Street conveniently ignores the repeated Palestinian refusals of autonomy in 1979 and statehood offers in 2000 and 2008.
Contrary to its assertion, Palestine was never the national home of the Palestinian people. The Jewish people trace their indigeneity to the Land of Israel to their exile from Egypt. If it had not been for foreign conquerors, Israel would be more than 3,000 years old. Still, Jews have been sovereign in their homeland altogether for more than 500 years. Arabs did not arrive in what the Romans first called Palaestina until the seventh-century Muslim conquest, and “Palestine” was never an independent state. In the early 20th century, Palestinian nationalism was not driven by a desire for independence but by the aspiration to become part of Greater Syria.
J Street claims that most American Jews support a Palestinian state. However, a May 2024 poll found that only 12% supported a state with no conditions, while just 25% would accept one that is demilitarized and accepts Israel as a Jewish state. What Americans think is irrelevant anyway. Neither Israelis nor Palestinians want a Palestinian state.
- A February 2025 survey by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs found that 75% of Israeli Jews opposed a Palestinian state.
- A 2024 PSR survey reported that 57% of Palestinians opposed a two-state solution, while 48% supported violent “armed struggle.”
Despite these facts, J Street insists that the two-state solution is the only way forward and that granting Palestinians independence is essential to guarantee Israelis’ safety. However, history has disproven this notion. Israel gave up land in the Oslo Accords and got suicide bombings; it withdrew from Gaza and got missile attacks culminating in the horrors of Oct. 7. Palestinian Islamists reject any Jewish presence, and the “secular” Palestinian Authority is committed to the destruction of Israel in stages.
J Street insists peace requires “statesmanship, diplomacy and compromise,” three characteristics totally absent from Palestinian society. It also overlooks that their vision would require the politically unacceptable evacuation of 100,000 or more Israelis from their homes.
J Street speciously claims that the “occupation” prevents its “acceptance.” This is demonstrably false. Israel has relations with 159 out of the 193 U.N. member states. Regionally, the Arab-Israeli conflict is over. Israel has formal relations with Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.
J Street claims Israel’s policies threaten bipartisan support in the United States, yet Congress overwhelmingly backs Israel. Efforts to condition foreign aid, supported by J Street, were rejected.
J Street insists that American Jews can be “pro-Israel” while criticizing the Israeli government. However, Israelis have no obligation to listen to those who don’t live with the consequences. J Street lobbies the US government to coerce Israel’s democratically elected leaders, which is neither democratic nor pro-Israel.
J Street ignores that Israel was ready to withdraw from captured territories in exchange for peace after 1967, only to be met with the Arab League’s “Three No’s”: no peace, no recognition and no negotiations. The 2009 Fatah conference reiterated this stance: no recognition of Israel as a Jewish state and no end to armed struggle.
In yet another omission, J Street says that Israel’s “occupation” was supposed to be temporary, forgetting that U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, the basis for all peace talks, tied Israeli withdrawal to the Arab states ending their belligerency. Israel was not obligated to give up all the territory it captured but still withdrew from roughly 94%. The Palestinians were not mentioned and given no political rights.
J Street criticizes Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, but says nothing about the repression of Palestinian rights by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
During the Obama administration, most Jews disagreed with his call to halt settlement construction. In 2019, only 25% supported dismantling all settlements; 41% supported dismantling some, while 28% opposed dismantling any. Meanwhile, a December 2024 poll found that only 29% of Israeli Jews opposed annexation, while 40% supported it.
The manifesto calls for “The 23-State Solution.” This is interesting because opponents of Palestinian statehood have long pointed out that since there are already 22 Arab states, there is no reason for a 23rd. Many people also note that Jordan is both geographically and demographically a Palestinian state. Yet another fact is that most Palestinians live in what was historically Palestine.
J Street falsely equates the “historical and emotional ties” to the land of Palestinians and Jews. They argue that adding another Arab state will lead to Israel’s acceptance by its adversaries and global recognition. The former, however, cannot be placated, and the latter has already been achieved.
The fact that all the peace agreements with Israel were made without concessions to the Palestinians proves that they are unnecessary. The Abraham Accords succeeded because the UAE and Bahrain were fed up with Palestinian intransigence and decided to put their interests first. J Street argues that Saudi Arabia will be different; however, the Saudis will likely follow the example of the others who normalized ties with Israel and bypassed the Palestinians—provided they get what they want from the United States.
J Street backs a return to the disastrous Iran nuclear deal and advocates a “diplomacy-first approach,” oblivious to the fruitless negotiations pursued by the Biden administration that allowed Iran to advance to the point it has the uranium to build multiple weapons.
Point eight reminds us that J Street added pro-democracy to its tagline. The problem is that it doesn’t support democracy unless the outcome suits its needs. The group rejects the democratic process in Israel because it disagrees with the representatives chosen by the people. The group also claims to support bipartisanship, yet it exclusively funds Democrats, including those who are openly hostile to Israel.
Regarding combating antisemitism, J Street defends antisemitic rhetoric under the guise of “criticism of Israel.” It falsely claims that right-wing groups exaggerate campus antisemitism while Jewish students face unprecedented harassment almost exclusively from the left. They mention “longstanding allies,” but not the fact that many turned on and often expelled Jewish students while endorsing Hamas. J Street defends radical groups that glorify terrorism, opposes anti-boycott legislation and objects to effective methods for motivating administrators to protect Jewish students.
Like other demonizers of Israel, J Street speciously attacks the internationally recognized (including the United States) definition of antisemitism proffered by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism by ignoring its explicit declaration: “Criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.”
In its final catchall point that “everything else also matters,” J Street argues Jewish voters are not hawkish single-issue Israel voters. True, Jews don’t rank Israel high among the issues that determine their vote, and yet they consistently vote for pro-Israel candidates and oppose those who are anti-Israel.
The manifesto complains about “powerful and well-funded” lobbies, meaning AIPAC, which have those traits because they represent the bulk of the pro-Israel community. After years of being the largest “pro-Israel” PAC and filling Democratic candidates’ coffers, their funding is now dwarfed by AIPAC’s bipartisan support.
Reflecting its anti-democratic agenda, J Street denigrates “hawkish” voters, meaning conservative and Orthodox Jews who, in the last election, overwhelmingly favored Donald Trump in part or whole because of his positions on Israel. Kamala Harris, meanwhile, received the lowest percentage of the Jewish vote of any Democrat since Michael Dukakis, partly due to President Joe Biden’s policy toward Israel.
J Street pretends to represent Jewish interests, but its actions tell a different story. It supports policies that endanger Israel, disregards the will of Israelis and Arabs, and undermines Israel’s democracy.
The post J Street’s Dishonest, Anti-Israel, Anti-Peace, Anti-Democracy Manifesto first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Iran, China, Russia to Hold Expert-Level Consultations on Tehran’s Nuclear Program
Chinese Foreign Minister Wag Yi stands with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi before a meeting regarding the Iranian nuclear issue at Diaoyutai State Guest House on March 14, 2025 in Beijing, China. Photo: Pool via REUTERS
Iran, China, and Russia will hold expert-level consultations on the Iranian nuclear program in Moscow this week, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday, amid growing regional tensions in the Middle East and continued US pressure on Tehran to reach a nuclear deal.
The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to bomb Iran and impose secondary tariffs if Tehran does not reach an agreement to curb its nuclear program with Washington.
Last week, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that Moscow remains committed to finding solutions to Iran’s nuclear program that respect Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy.
“The use of military force by Iran’s opponents in the context of the settlement is illegal and unacceptable,” Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the ministry, told reporters. “Threats from outside to bomb Iran’s nuclear infrastructure facilities will inevitably lead to an irreversible global catastrophe. These threats are simply unacceptable.”
While Iran has continuously rejected direct talks with Washington, it has said it will consider indirect negotiations through Oman, a longtime channel for communication between the two adversaries. Tehran has also stated that the country’s missile program would be off limits in any such nuclear discussions.
During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and several world powers, which had imposed temporary limits on Tehran’s nuclear activites in exchange for sanctions relief.
In response to the White House’s recent military threats, Iran has issued notices to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain, warning that any support for a US attack on Iran — including the use of their airspace or territory by American forces — would be considered an act of hostility.
Last month, China and Russia called for an end to the “unlawful sanctions” imposed on Iran and urged all “relevant parties to refrain from taking any action that would escalate the situation” or undermine diplomatic efforts.
The countries also “emphasized that the relevant parties should be committed to addressing the root causes of the current situation and abandoning sanction, pressure, or threat of force,” calling such actions “unacceptable” and highlighting the risks of regional escalation.
Both Beijing and Moscow have defended Tehran’s nuclear program, emphasizing that the country’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy should be “fully” respected.
“We believe that our Iranian friends have the right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy industry in their country,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a statement. “Russia is actively involved in this and is assisting our Iranian friends in this regard.”
Iran’s growing ties with China and Russia come at a time when Tehran is facing increasing sanctions by Washington, particularly on its oil industry, as part of the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at cutting the country’s crude exports to zero and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Iran and Russia, which recently signed a pact to deepen their defense ties, have also been working on an initiative to form an international alliance against US sanctions.
Even though Tehran has denied wanting to develop a nuclear weapon, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has warned that Iran is “dramatically” accelerating uranium enrichment to up to 60 percent purity, close to the roughly 90 percent weapons-grade level.
Tehran has repeatedly claimed that its nuclear program is for civilian purposes rather than weapon development.
However, Western states have said there is no “credible civilian justification” for the country’s recent nuclear activity, arguing it “gives Iran the capability to rapidly produce sufficient fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons.”
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Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Removed From African Union’s Rwandan Genocide Conference After Members’ Objections
Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Avraham Neguise. Photo: Screenshot
Israel’s Foreign Ministry released a statement on Monday slamming the decision by Djibouti’s Mahmoud Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, to eject Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia Avraham Neguise from an annual event commemorating the 1994 genocide of 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda.
At the African Union (AU) headquarters in Ethiopia, Youssouf removed Neguise following other participants’ refusal to continue if he remained present. Youssouf, 59, began leadership of the African Union in February, after working as Djibouti’s foreign minister since 2005.
“It is outrageous that at an event commemorating the victims of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda, to which the Israeli ambassador in Addis Ababa was invited, [Youssouf] chose to introduce anti-Israel political elements,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated. “This unacceptable conduct first and foremost dishonors the memory of the victims and reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the histories of both the Rwandan and Jewish peoples.”
The ministry said it would “take the necessary diplomatic steps with the relevant parties to clarify the seriousness with which we view this incident.”
The Monday event at the AU’s Nelson Mandela Hall featured prayers from multiple religious traditions, the lighting of a remembrance flame, the screening of a documentary on the genocide, and a moment of silence. The African Union said that the event sought to bring together individuals “from the African Union Commission, African Union Member States, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, African Union Organs, Regional Economic Communities, Religious Institutions, Human Rights Institutions, Intergovernmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies, Think Tanks, International Organizations, Schools and Academic Institutions in Ethiopia as well as the Rwandan Community in Addis Ababa.”
On Feb. 20, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) granted the AU’s request to join South Africa’s suit charging Israel with genocide in Gaza.
On social media, Youssouf has made clear his sympathies in the Gaza conflict. On Nov. 9, 2023, he wrote on X in French that he was “in Riyadh to prepare for the extraordinary summit of the Arab League on Gaza and the ongoing genocide.”
“The decision of the ICJ which demands Israel to stop its genocide against Palestinians will be tabled at the UNSC, then we will see on which moral ground member countries stands: on the side of good or evil: there is no 3rd option,” Youssouf wrote on Jan. 26, 2024.
“Displaced, expelled from their land and homes, when they resist the oppressors, they are labeled terrorist, now, victims of mass murder, organized starvation and even inpatients are not safe: guess who they are?” Youssouf asked three days later. “Today I am posting this message to express my outrage about the attempt by the Israeli occupier and their supporters to disqualify UNRWA: the last stage of their attempt to dehumanize Palestinians.”
On March 11, 2024, he lamented that “humanity is torn apart in Gaza, Humanity is starved to death in Gaza, Humanity is dehumanized in Gaza, But right is right and wrong is wrong no matter what it takes Palestine will be free.”
On May 10, 2024, Youssouf praised that “the member states at the UNGA [UN General Assembly] voted massively today in favor of the membership of the state of Palestine (Y 143 /A25/ N9). The resolution is going to be sent back the UNSC. What an achievement!!!” That day he also wrote that “the carnage underway in Gaza is not going to suppress the legitimate right of the people of Palestine to a statehood” and explained how “Djibouti has always advocated for a two states solution living in peace side by side. It is possible, but, it takes history makers to step forward: we are still waiting for them.”
On Aug. 10, 2024, Youssouf wrote on X that “the war in Gaza must stop now, hostages from both sides should be released: no one can remain indifferent to the ongoing slaughter of innocent civilians daily by hundreds.”
On Jan. 16, in response to the agreement of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, Youssouf wrote on X: “Cease fire at last in Gaza: I hope this will be the beginning for lasting peace on the basis of a 2 states solution.” He predicted that “the release of Israeli hostages and the Palestinian militants and political prisoners will pave the way to a peaceful negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.” Youssouf wrote that “there will never be a solution based on the obliteration of one party or even erasing whole cities will not bring peace to anyone: compromise and negotiation are the only way.”
Djibouti does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. President Ismail Omar Guelleh, an ally of Youssouf, said in 2020 that “the conditions aren’t ripe” and “we take issue with the Israeli government because they’re denying Palestinians their inalienable rights.”
On Oct. 8, 2023, one day after Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages during their invasion of southern Israel, Djibouti released a statement in response to the terrorist attacks which Youssouf shared.
“The Republic of Djibouti expresses deep concern over the evolving situation in the occupied Palestinian territories,” the statement read. “It holds the State of Israel responsible for the ongoing escalation due to its continued aggression and constant violations of the rights of the Palestinian people and their holy sites, including the repeated incursions into the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli police.”
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Jewish ‘Catfish’ Host, Producer Nev Schulman Runs Jerusalem Marathon in Support of Visually Impaired Athletes
Nev Schulman arrives for the New York premiere of “Poor Things” at DGA New York Theater in New York, New York, on Dec. 6, 2023. Photo: Gabriele Holtermann-Gorden/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect
Jewish American television host and producer Nev Schulman competed in the 14th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon on Friday.
Schulman, who hosts the MTV series “Catfish” and was the runner up in season 29 of “Dancing With the Stars,” ran in support of the Israeli organization Eye Contact, which provides runners who are blind or visually impaired the opportunity to train and compete in races with the assistance of sighted guides. Schulman’s wife, Laura Perlongo, also competed in the marathon, which has a route that passes through historical sites in Jerusalem. Schulman, 40, shared a video from the race on Instagram and wrote in the caption that it was “amazing” to run through “5,000 years of history” in the Israeli city.
Schulman has previously competed in several marathons around the US – including in Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami – and has served as a sighted guide for disabled runners.
A total of 42,000 people – more than ever before – ran in the International Jerusalem Winner Marathon on Friday morning, organizers said. This year’s race was themed “Am Israel Run,” which is a nod to the phrase “Am Israel Chai” (Long Live Israel). The winner was 39-year-old Bogdan Simanovich from Ukraine with a time of 2:22:47. Second place went to Luai Malaka, 27, with a time of 2:23:05, while 31-year-old Yona Amitiai came in third with a time of 2:23:18.
Born into a Jewish family in New York, Schulman has shared photos and videos on social media in the past about his faith and efforts to keep Jewish traditions alive with his wife and three children. In December 2024, he posted on Instagram a video of his family singing the Hebrew prayer for lighting a menorah in honor of Hanukkah.
Last month, Schulman spoke at the UJA Generosity Gala, an annual event for young Jewish leaders that is organized by the UJA-Federation of New York, about experiencing fear in being Jewish at a time of rising antisemitism.
“I think, like a lot of other Jews, I’m afraid. It’s a scary time to be Jewish, especially in the public eye,” he said. “[But] I come to this event, and I’m reminded how strong the Jewish community is. It’s been a tough year to be Jewish, [but] nights like this are a perfect opportunity to come together as a community and remind ourselves that we don’t need to be afraid. We can be together, and we can be strong and brave.”
Schulman’s father and grandfather were both volunteers for the UJA Federation. He said his family is “a long-term, proud member of the New York Jewish community.”
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