J Street in Jerusalem

JStreet, an organization that tries to influence American policy and promote a 2 state resolution of the on the Israeli/Arab war, has spawned a branch in Jerusalem, JStreetU.

JStreetU aims to educate foreign college students about what’s actually going on in Israel; to give them new perspective from a wide range of informed people. They want students to be able to form their own opinions about the “Middle East conflict” by being able to say “I did, I saw, I heard”.

In theory, this is a constructive idea; in a perfect world no one would form opinions without being as informed as possible. Five minutes of any national news will show you this is not a perfect world.

I attended a house meeting sponsored by JStreetU in late January. What I saw was not what I expected. Instead of a bunch of young soldiers and students angry about what was going on in Israel I saw a group of well educated men and woman of ranging ages; from 18 to 80 from all different walks of life.

It was not until the introductions were made that the representatives of Combatants for Peace were announced; a former army Israeli combat officer and a former Palestinian “freedom fighter”. The PA representative said that when he heard about a group of soldiers refusing to fight in the occupied territories he saw it as hope. The Israeli said he felt it was morally wrong and refused to do it.

The former soldier and PA sat side by side, acting like friends while telling their story. Then during the questions and answer answer session referred to other organizations like Yesh Gevul that would help them if them decided to disobey orders. The Pa representativ kept referring to a 2 state policy; Arab and Israeli, never Arab and Jewish. THink about why this is…

As much as JStreet tries, and says that it is a peaceful organization, promoting a peaceful 2 state solution its’ actions speaks far beyond otherwise; associating and supporting extremist organizations, and even having some of the most influential BSD representatives in their panels. Can this “pro-peace” organization really claim to be so peaceful when it’s clear that their actions are less than neutral.

Israel is a country that relies on its army to not only keep the citizens safe, but in fact to keep Israel’s borders’.

Why is it then, that organizations that JStreetU has connected with such as Combatants for Peace, Breaking the Silence, and Yesh Gvul are asking soldiers to disobey their orders?

JStreetU holds intimate meetings with these organizations and allows them to voice that it is ok to break the two most basic criteria required of being a soldier; obedience and camaraderie.

Many of their speakers are even former IDF service members themselves.

These organizations aim to convince soldiers that they will stand behind them and support them if they make the decision to ignore order and endanger their unit, their brothers, and the lives of others, both military and civilian.

These gatherings can be incredibly harmful to the spirit of the army.

Not only does it implant the seed of disobedience amongst soldiers; it sows the seed of disapproval for the army’s actions amongst a generation of people that are easily influence and can influence their peers just as well. A large percentage of Israel’s army is made up of foreigners that have not come to make Israel their home, but simply to serve and support Israel and the Jewish nation. These “informative” organizations are endangering and undermining a soldier’s loyalty and commitment to his nation and birthright; to protect his homeland. The 6 day war, the Yom Kippur war are prime examples of Israel defending itself. Now, Israel is faced with protecting its citizens in the West Bank and Gaze from daily acts of violence and aggression.

How can Knesset members, all of whom were ex service members, and other service members say that his morals kept him from entering the “occupied territories” when everyday Israelis are being hurt and displaced by rockets from these same people and areas the soldiers refuse to guard? Is the world’s opinion of Israel and its’ inequalities more important to the soldiers and politicians than that of the innocent civilian lives the rest of the army serves to protect?

Someone who has served their country; whether at home or abroad, in Israel, America, the EU or any other democratic nation has the right to serve proudly. Since the dawn of time, Jews have been the object of persecution, and have responded in kind only when left with no alternative but a physical and violent one. The civilized world must awaken from its coma to realize that these “informative” organizations have other agendas. Although JStreet and JStreetU are not funded by extremist organizations of record, they do in fact conduct rallies, meetings and seminars with other organizations who openly represent such extremist views; even going so far as to having some of the most prolific and actives voices in the BDS movement against Israel.

Several member of JStreetU, and the Israeli Knesset were asked to provide additional statements about their support of these organizations but declined to give any comment.