(JTA) — The Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Public Diplomacy Committee said March 9 that a hearing on the activities of J Street, which calls itself a pro-Israel, pro-peace organization, would be held as soon as next week.
Americans for Peace Now said it was outraged by the hearing.
“After aggressively attacking dissenting voices in Israel and trying to suppress diversity at home, some Israeli legislators are now extending their intimidation campaign across the ocean,” Americans for Peace Now CEO Debra DeLee said Thursday. “The attempt to delegitimize an American organization that supports Israel and works tirelessly to engage tens of thousands of Americans in pro-Israel activity is bad for Israel.”
The committee, chaired by Danny Danon of Likud, will invite the lawmakers who attended J Street’s annual meeting last month to testify.
“I asked for the hearing not because of the content of J Street’s beliefs, but because I want to look into the commitment of Jewish love and support for Israel,” Kadima lawmaker Otniel Schneller told The Jerusalem Post. “If they don’t love and support Israel, then they should not present themselves as pro-Israel.”
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