On October 25, the Arab American Institute and J Street convened a joint meeting, that brought leaders and activists from both communities together as an expression of our shared commitment to advance a just and comprehensive Middle East peace. Two nights later, my wife Eileen and I had the pleasure of attending the J Street Gala Banquet. As it was such an extraordinary event, I would like to share some observations about the night.
First and foremost was the size and composition of the crowd. A week or so before their conference was to begin, with registration nearing 900, J Street leaders were still hoping to reach 1000. Then came a wave of attacks on the group from hardliners in the pro-Israel camp. When I asked a J Street leader whether the criticism was having an impact, he said, "A little negative, but a huge positive impact". Their event, for example, lost about a dozen of its 160 Congressional sponsors, but retained almost 150. And their registration swelled to 1,500!
As we entered the room it was clear that spirits were high. Jewish activists from the left and centre of the political spectrum had spent three days in packed sessions debating policy and programme. They had differences but were of one mind in their commitment to project an alternative pro-Israel, pro-peace perspective, and to legitimise a US debate on the way toward peace.
In his opening remarks, J Street executive director Jeremy Ben-Ami made the observation that while J Street is new, it is made up of thousands of Jewish political leaders and activists who have long been engaged in the struggle for peace and justice. What is new is that they have found one another and have come together to challenge the status quo - that up until now has maintained that there is only one way of being pro-Israel.
I was also struck by the Arabs and Arab-Americans who were in attendance and the profoundly respectful and gracious reception they (we) were given. Several Arab ambassadors were there, one of the evening's emcees was an Arab American, a video of a message from Jordan's King Abdullah opened the session, and our joint Arab American-American Jewish meeting was discussed by one speaker and greeted with wonderful applause.
An Israeli friend commented on this Arab presence. She remarked that it was ironic that J Street was being attacked by hardliners because a few Arab Americans had contributed to the group, and some Arabs attended their function, at the very moment when these same hardliners are saying that the Arab world must reach out and declare their interest in peace.
The Rabbi who opened the dinner with a prayerful reflection spoke of his personal attachment to Israel, the members of his family who survived WWII to find refuge there, and how they had prospered but still lived in fear and insecurity. He then moved to include in his prayer concern for the Palestinian people noting that if Jews acknowledge one God then their compassion and concern for life must be extended to all mankind, Israelis and Palestinians alike.
One of the most eloquent moments of the night came when J Street's director Ben-Ami spoke of his group's resolve to be, "a voice that cares not simply about our people's destiny but about the future of the Palestinian people - not just because it is in our interest, but because Palestinian children deserve a future and freedom, hope and happiness every bit as much as Jewish children."
It was also important to note how significant the entire night was for the dozens of members of Congress who were in attendance. For those who had long been advocates of a just peace, they found reinforcement, and for those who have been afraid to speak out, they were able to see, and hear, the emergence of an alternative voice that makes debate on Middle East issues possible. As one attendee noted, "without exaggeration, this is a revolution".
In the 1990s, when we came together, we did so because leaders in the White House pressed us to work together and Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the White House lawn validated the effort. This time is different.
We emerged and came together on our own, with a will not only to build a partnership, but to export its spirit to the Middle East despite the incapacity or unwillingness of Israeli and Palestinian leadership to do so.
jzogby@aaiua.org
