Gary Rosenblatt’s column, “The Wrong Way To Fight BDS” (Oct. 16), states that J Street is a “group that often criticizes Israeli policy but opposes BDS.” That is incorrect, misleading and dangerous.
J Street does not oppose BDS. This is J Street’s published position:
“Principle #3: We do not oppose boycott, divestment, or sanctions initiatives that explicitly support a two-state solution, recognize Israel’s right to exist, and focus only on occupied territory beyond the Green Line.”
It is deeply disturbing that The Jewish Week is advocating for J Street to promote Israel on campuses. As Alan Dershowitz said of J Street: “How can you be a ‘pro-Israel’ organization and never express any pro-Israel views?”
Further J Street has hosted at its national conference such pro-BDS stars as Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the BDS movement, and Rebecca Vilkomerson of Jewish Voice for Peace, a BDS activist organization. How can J Street then claim to be against BDS?
Simple answer: J Street is not against BDS.
Allowing J Street to represent the pro-Israel position on campuses is like allowing the fox to guard the hen house. Shame on you.
Editor’s Note: The BDS movement endorses the “right of return,” calling for Palestinians to “return” to their homes in Israel, which would dramatically shift the country’s demographics. J Street calls for Palestinians to settle in a Palestinian state, with perhaps a “symbolic” number settling in Israel as part of a peace agreement.
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