By JTA – October 12, 2009
http://jta.org/news/article/2009/10/12/1008449/israeli-embassy-says-j-street-could-impair-israels-interests
WASHINGTON (JTA) — An Israeli Embassy spokesman said J Street supports policies that could “impair Israel’s interests.”
Yoni Peled told the Jerusalem Post that the embassy has “communicated to J Street its views on the peace process and on the best way to ensure Israel’s security.”
The embassy told the left-wing pro-Israel organization that “while recognizing the need for a free and open debate on these issues, it is important to stress concern over certain policies that could impair Israel’s interests,” Peled said, according to the Post.
J Street, which has backed President Obama’s call for a settlement freeze and has opposed additional sanctions on Iran at the present time, invited Israeli U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren to speak at its first national conference later this month. Oren has not yet given a response.
A J Street spokeswoman said the group was still hoping Oren would decide to attend the conference, and that the organization supports “the State of Israel and its future as a democracy” while also backing an “open debate” on certain aspects of Israeli policy.
