Excellent remarks! And I admire what you and others within J Street are doing and hope your wisdom is widely accepted by all who listen. As someone who used to take Americans on fact-finding trips to Israel-Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt, meeting with Shimon Peres, Knesset members, settlers, as well as Palestinian leadership, human rights organizations, King Hussein, et al in the 80s and 90s, I share your hopes. I just wish you had also mentioned that it was a settler who killed Rabin because he opposed the Oslo Peace Accords that Rabin signed on the White House lawn. And now Israelis like Gvir, Smoltrich, et al are trying to stop the current ceasefire. Very sad.
Pax World Service, for which I was president, held a Peace Awards Dinner in D.C. honoring the Israelis, Norwegians, and Palestinians for their secret talks that brought about the Oslo Peace Accords. Shimon Peres, the Norwegian couple, Terje Larsen and Mona Juul, and Palestinian Sari Nuseibeh (substituting for Mahmoud Abbas) were all there, along with over 500 representing the U.S. and many diplomats in attendance. But, sadly, Rabin, had already been assassinated.
Jeremy, thank you for sharing this heartfelt, eloquent speech. As they say, "From your mouth to G-d's ears!"
Netanyahu is a Trump clone, or maybe it is the other way around? They are criminals who are completely bound by self-interest, not the good of their countries or the whole world.
I think many, many friends of Israel and in the pro-Israel community were devestated and disgusted by Yitzhak Rabin's murder - and the hate campaign that led up to his killing- including the truly-shameful "Rabin as Nazi" posters. And there will always be the "What if he hadn't been assassinated" question of how things would have worked out. (To a lesser degree we ask with respect to if Shimon Peres had been reelected or Ariel Sharon hadn't had that heart attack and gone into a coma.
But at the same time; shouldn't pin all that's happened since on Rabin's death. Or be that sure how Rabin would have acted if he had lived (and been reelected). A reminder: He wasn't that popular at the time of his death.
I think it's a little simplistic to assume Rabin did this he was a "Peacenik." He wasn't "soft" on the Palestinians. Or naive to what they had done, and perhaps still wanted to do. But he did feel the more urgent threat to Israel was Iran - and he wanted to focus on that threat - and reduce the Palestinian issue.
Think it's also wrong to wrap oneself in "Rabinism" when I'd say that the views of J Street are considerably "to the left" of even the left-leaning mainstream Zionist groups in Israel. I doubt they'd be supporting an arms embargo or aid restrictions or even a full Palestinian State and withdrawal from territories. (Shimon Peres 50 years ago was quite the founder of the Settlement movement. And Yigal Allon another Labour hawk.)
What Rabin might have done 30 years ago; no certainty - I'd say likelihood - that he'd support the views of J Street today. Or even support big concessions to the Palestinians. And from his "Break their bones" position as Minister of Defense; not sure how "soft" he'd have been on the Palestinians.
And finally of course Israel is a democracy (whatever its flaws). The public may not be mostly Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. But nor are they certainly where J Street (or "New Jewish Narratives" are)
Jeremy, if there is a path forward for Zionism, it begins with acknowledging the wrongs commited in the past -- the Nakba.
This acknowledgement doesn't diminish our right to a Jewish homeland in Israel. Neither does it absolve the Arabs of their own culpability in our mutual conflict.
The denial of the Nakba has served only to weaken the legitimacy of Israel, and is a major barrier to peace.
Please use your platform at the Congress to urge a Zionist Apology for the Nakba.
Actually, the path forward for peace is the Palestinians finally accepting and publicly acknowledging the Jews Peoples' ties to the Land. Somehow, this most basic matter has never been pressed and answered. As long as the mindset is that the Jew is interloper, there will NEVER be a semblance of peace.
You are correct: "there will NEVER be a semblance of peace."
Israel is the most hated entity on Earth; and innocent Jews globally -- who have no ties to the Apartheid state -- are bearing the effects of rising anti-Semitism, which will only get worse.
The Israelis are on the last "Voyage Of The Damned," and it is coming.
I am surprised but not shocked by your comment. Each and every Jew, from time immemorial has ties to Jersusalem and Zion. Whenever and wherever a Jew says a prayer he/she acknowledges that fact.
Perhaps a visit to that Apartheid State, mixing with one of the most diverse population of citizens in the world, would open one's eyes and redefine his undersatnding of that malicious term.
If they go to pray the Judaic Liturgy, they are expressing their ties to Jerusalem and Zion (today's Israel). If you are refering to the politics of Israel, that's an entirely different matter. Politically, Israel is no better or worse than the US, UK and other democracies. Power politics are universal.
If you are taking issue with the IDF's actions to protect the citizens, residents & visitors from murder and mayhem, I would ask how do other countries deal with similar internal and external threats.
Finally, you forgot to answer if you ever visited the country you so demonize...perhaps it would shatter you belief system.
Despite regular antizionist platforming by Jeremy Ben-Ami specifically and J-Street in general, the future of Zionism is Israeli. Despite two years of renewed genocidal efforts by the Palestinians, assisted by ‘progressives’ including J-Street, who care about nothing more than helping their Jihadist terrorists Pals survive the war through forcing safe zones for a terrorist army on Israel, working to cut off arms to Israel during this war started by the proxies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and calling for diplomatic actions against Israel in a war the Palestinians started with the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the biggest pogrom against Jews in hundreds of years. This is J-Street - spineless sidekicks of the Free Palestine cult, virtue signalers obsessed with obsequiously begging the forgiveness of their Jew-hating ‘progressive’ allies.
The way of Rabin was tried by Rabin, Peres, Barak, and Olmert, who all offered the Pals of J-Street the entire Gaza Strip and 94% of the West Bank, yet it’s the Pals of Jeremy Ben-Ami who rejected an independent Palestine because it required them to relinquish their dream of a genocide and ethnic cleansing for Jewish Israel. It’s the Palestinians, nobody else, who refused a state at least 7 times since 1937. It is Jeremy’s Pal, the kleptocratic autocrat Mahmoud Abbas, who refuse to negotiate with Israel further, wether Netanyahu or Lapid/Bennet governments. And yet, since alleged ‘Zionist’ organization J-Street has never met an opportunity to shit on Israel on behalf of Antizionists it didn’t follow, it continues to gaslight us as if Netanyahu is the barrier to peace - not their obstinate PA Pals, nor the genocidal Hamas and PIJ Jihadists they were so concerned with helping survive the Gaza War started on October 7 by thousands of Palestinian murderers, rapists, abductors and assorted pogrom rabble.
The future of Zionism is Israeli. Israel has done fantastically well financially through hard work and investments in education and health and a focus on innovation. Israelis live longer than most in developed nations. It has a GDP per-capita that exceeds both former colonial powers UK and France and most other EU countries. It’s had a longer, more stable, more diverse democracy than most EU countries. It kicked the ass of all Islamists that attacked it while the holier-than-thou azajus of J-Street pontificated on how Israelis should defends their lives from attacks on 7 fronts in a way less embarrassing to spineless ass kissers of Jew-hating progressive. These progressive ‘allies’ take antisemitic positions by the IHRA definition that J-Street condemns, betraying their own antizionist sentiments.
Israel will do just fine, Jeremy. Zionism will do just fine too. You’ve long ago decided on being a stealth antizionist organization, so stop with the masquerade and compete more openly with the dimwit Jew haters in JVP. We should all be Zionists, rather than spineless azajus looking for the approval of the Zohran Mandanis of this world. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2221234/about
I’m curious how you think Israel can be both a democracy and a Zionist state. I am honestly confused about how this could look in the future. The last two years have had me challenge and then mourn many of my beliefs about Zionism. I am trying stay loving toward Israel while deeply recognizing its many transgressions. So painful. Please expand upon what a Zionist democracy really looks like.
It was a terrible transgression of them to offer the Palestinians and independent state multiple times, with the PA rejecting that outcome. The moral thing for Israel to do is apparently allow Hamas to rape, torture, murder and abduct more Israelis, or at the very least disband and return to the diaspora to be a spineless second-class minority.
Jeremy, I appreciated the fact that you struggled to finally announce your agreement with others regarding Israel's "genocide". I am saddened, though, that you chose to follow the herd and probe no further. Ever hear of Dr. Michel Thieren? With all your networks, how did you not know of the WHO's and related partners pre-ordained findings.
Perhaps you need to step back and understand that endearing ourselves (as Jews) to the multitude actually endangers Ahm Israel.
Wow! You said it all, Jeremy. Isn't it funny that it takes courage to say the truth? Yet, and there is so much more that needs to be done by all of us, to make the words you speak so eloquently and rightfully, but still a dream, a reality.
It's interesting that what needs to be done here in the United States to save our democracy, and to rebuild a stronger one, is the same for Zionists here and in Israeli who love and believe in Israel. First, there's the NoKings movement here growing everyday with all its grassroots organizing, along with the risky but necessary business of resistance against tyranny, And there, in Israel, together with us liberal Zionists supporting and doing the work from here, the major campaign Yitzhak Rabin started to grow peace with our Arab neighbors, starting with the dismantling of the tools and systems enforcing the occupation, We're all just at the beginning of making our dream a reality.
I don't know if this dream is the same as what the pre-state Zionists had in mind. I'm sure it was for the majority. And here we still are. Just at the beginning.
First of all, the two paths don't contradict each other. Secondly, in 1988 the PLO recognized Israel's right to exist in peace. Israel has yet to reciprocate by recognizing the right of a sovereign state of Palestine.
With all due respect to Jeremy, I listened to Leah Rabin speak at the National Press Club in Washington about her husband Yitzhak's tragic assassination. She blamed Benjamin Netanyahu in no uncertain terms, and believed that a two-state "solution" was impossible.
Indeed, in his book, Jeremy echoed such sentiments when he wrote: "Is this how I wanted to be treated when I was a minority in another people's country?" He was right then, and his words were prophetic.
IfNotNow has reported that more and more Israelis are refusing to enlist or serve in the military, despite facing prison and public backlash. At some point, Netanyahu and his Israeli butchers need to be tried for their many crimes, like Adolf Eichmann was, with a similar result.
Jeremy has admitted what the world knows: Israel has been engaged in Genocide since 1948. Tragically; it has given rise to anti-Semitism, which affects every Jew in the world, even those with no ties to Israel.
Jeremy has never said nor suggested that Israel "has been engaged in genocide since 1948." His recent rhetoric, however, has allowed anti-Israel blowhards like you to feel justified in your nonsense.
Tim - your rhetoric (here and elsewhere) week after week is shameful.
The Jewish people have every right to a state in the land of Israel where I write to you now from the World Zionist Congress, to which I am a proud delegate.
Jill - you and I may not agree on a slew of the important questions facing the Jewish people and the state of Israel today, but I know we do agree on the fundamental justice of the existence of a national homeland for the Jewish people here in Israel. I also appreciate the civil way in which you engage in our disagreements.
My talk tomorrow - posted here lays out my vision of how that state can be secure, Jewish and democratic - and accepted as a productive partner in the region by its neighbors.
Jeremy, it is shameful that it took you so long to admit that Israel has been engaged in Genocide, since 1948!
Also, you seem ignorant with respect to how the world views Israel. It is the most hated entity on the Earth. And yes, it is tragic how innocent Jews who have no ties to Israel are experiencing anti-Semitism.
Thank you Jill for snapping back at Timothy N. He trolls on J Street posts constantly. He’s consistently critical and boring. I keep wondering why he hasn’t found something else to do with his time.
Excellent remarks! And I admire what you and others within J Street are doing and hope your wisdom is widely accepted by all who listen. As someone who used to take Americans on fact-finding trips to Israel-Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt, meeting with Shimon Peres, Knesset members, settlers, as well as Palestinian leadership, human rights organizations, King Hussein, et al in the 80s and 90s, I share your hopes. I just wish you had also mentioned that it was a settler who killed Rabin because he opposed the Oslo Peace Accords that Rabin signed on the White House lawn. And now Israelis like Gvir, Smoltrich, et al are trying to stop the current ceasefire. Very sad.
Thanks, Charolett. Such an important point about who killed Rabin (and the chances for peace for a generation).
Pax World Service, for which I was president, held a Peace Awards Dinner in D.C. honoring the Israelis, Norwegians, and Palestinians for their secret talks that brought about the Oslo Peace Accords. Shimon Peres, the Norwegian couple, Terje Larsen and Mona Juul, and Palestinian Sari Nuseibeh (substituting for Mahmoud Abbas) were all there, along with over 500 representing the U.S. and many diplomats in attendance. But, sadly, Rabin, had already been assassinated.
From your mouth ………
Jeremy, thank you for sharing this heartfelt, eloquent speech. As they say, "From your mouth to G-d's ears!"
Netanyahu is a Trump clone, or maybe it is the other way around? They are criminals who are completely bound by self-interest, not the good of their countries or the whole world.
I think many, many friends of Israel and in the pro-Israel community were devestated and disgusted by Yitzhak Rabin's murder - and the hate campaign that led up to his killing- including the truly-shameful "Rabin as Nazi" posters. And there will always be the "What if he hadn't been assassinated" question of how things would have worked out. (To a lesser degree we ask with respect to if Shimon Peres had been reelected or Ariel Sharon hadn't had that heart attack and gone into a coma.
But at the same time; shouldn't pin all that's happened since on Rabin's death. Or be that sure how Rabin would have acted if he had lived (and been reelected). A reminder: He wasn't that popular at the time of his death.
I think it's a little simplistic to assume Rabin did this he was a "Peacenik." He wasn't "soft" on the Palestinians. Or naive to what they had done, and perhaps still wanted to do. But he did feel the more urgent threat to Israel was Iran - and he wanted to focus on that threat - and reduce the Palestinian issue.
Think it's also wrong to wrap oneself in "Rabinism" when I'd say that the views of J Street are considerably "to the left" of even the left-leaning mainstream Zionist groups in Israel. I doubt they'd be supporting an arms embargo or aid restrictions or even a full Palestinian State and withdrawal from territories. (Shimon Peres 50 years ago was quite the founder of the Settlement movement. And Yigal Allon another Labour hawk.)
What Rabin might have done 30 years ago; no certainty - I'd say likelihood - that he'd support the views of J Street today. Or even support big concessions to the Palestinians. And from his "Break their bones" position as Minister of Defense; not sure how "soft" he'd have been on the Palestinians.
And finally of course Israel is a democracy (whatever its flaws). The public may not be mostly Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. But nor are they certainly where J Street (or "New Jewish Narratives" are)
Jeremy, if there is a path forward for Zionism, it begins with acknowledging the wrongs commited in the past -- the Nakba.
This acknowledgement doesn't diminish our right to a Jewish homeland in Israel. Neither does it absolve the Arabs of their own culpability in our mutual conflict.
The denial of the Nakba has served only to weaken the legitimacy of Israel, and is a major barrier to peace.
Please use your platform at the Congress to urge a Zionist Apology for the Nakba.
Https://www.NewZionist.org
Actually, the path forward for peace is the Palestinians finally accepting and publicly acknowledging the Jews Peoples' ties to the Land. Somehow, this most basic matter has never been pressed and answered. As long as the mindset is that the Jew is interloper, there will NEVER be a semblance of peace.
You are correct: "there will NEVER be a semblance of peace."
Israel is the most hated entity on Earth; and innocent Jews globally -- who have no ties to the Apartheid state -- are bearing the effects of rising anti-Semitism, which will only get worse.
The Israelis are on the last "Voyage Of The Damned," and it is coming.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/
I am surprised but not shocked by your comment. Each and every Jew, from time immemorial has ties to Jersusalem and Zion. Whenever and wherever a Jew says a prayer he/she acknowledges that fact.
Perhaps a visit to that Apartheid State, mixing with one of the most diverse population of citizens in the world, would open one's eyes and redefine his undersatnding of that malicious term.
Thank you, but I have dealt with American Jews who have zero ties to Israel. Like my ancestors, theirs came to America in the 1700s or 1800s.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/americas-jews-are-americans/
If they go to pray the Judaic Liturgy, they are expressing their ties to Jerusalem and Zion (today's Israel). If you are refering to the politics of Israel, that's an entirely different matter. Politically, Israel is no better or worse than the US, UK and other democracies. Power politics are universal.
If you are taking issue with the IDF's actions to protect the citizens, residents & visitors from murder and mayhem, I would ask how do other countries deal with similar internal and external threats.
Finally, you forgot to answer if you ever visited the country you so demonize...perhaps it would shatter you belief system.
Despite regular antizionist platforming by Jeremy Ben-Ami specifically and J-Street in general, the future of Zionism is Israeli. Despite two years of renewed genocidal efforts by the Palestinians, assisted by ‘progressives’ including J-Street, who care about nothing more than helping their Jihadist terrorists Pals survive the war through forcing safe zones for a terrorist army on Israel, working to cut off arms to Israel during this war started by the proxies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and calling for diplomatic actions against Israel in a war the Palestinians started with the biggest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the biggest pogrom against Jews in hundreds of years. This is J-Street - spineless sidekicks of the Free Palestine cult, virtue signalers obsessed with obsequiously begging the forgiveness of their Jew-hating ‘progressive’ allies.
The way of Rabin was tried by Rabin, Peres, Barak, and Olmert, who all offered the Pals of J-Street the entire Gaza Strip and 94% of the West Bank, yet it’s the Pals of Jeremy Ben-Ami who rejected an independent Palestine because it required them to relinquish their dream of a genocide and ethnic cleansing for Jewish Israel. It’s the Palestinians, nobody else, who refused a state at least 7 times since 1937. It is Jeremy’s Pal, the kleptocratic autocrat Mahmoud Abbas, who refuse to negotiate with Israel further, wether Netanyahu or Lapid/Bennet governments. And yet, since alleged ‘Zionist’ organization J-Street has never met an opportunity to shit on Israel on behalf of Antizionists it didn’t follow, it continues to gaslight us as if Netanyahu is the barrier to peace - not their obstinate PA Pals, nor the genocidal Hamas and PIJ Jihadists they were so concerned with helping survive the Gaza War started on October 7 by thousands of Palestinian murderers, rapists, abductors and assorted pogrom rabble.
The future of Zionism is Israeli. Israel has done fantastically well financially through hard work and investments in education and health and a focus on innovation. Israelis live longer than most in developed nations. It has a GDP per-capita that exceeds both former colonial powers UK and France and most other EU countries. It’s had a longer, more stable, more diverse democracy than most EU countries. It kicked the ass of all Islamists that attacked it while the holier-than-thou azajus of J-Street pontificated on how Israelis should defends their lives from attacks on 7 fronts in a way less embarrassing to spineless ass kissers of Jew-hating progressive. These progressive ‘allies’ take antisemitic positions by the IHRA definition that J-Street condemns, betraying their own antizionist sentiments.
Israel will do just fine, Jeremy. Zionism will do just fine too. You’ve long ago decided on being a stealth antizionist organization, so stop with the masquerade and compete more openly with the dimwit Jew haters in JVP. We should all be Zionists, rather than spineless azajus looking for the approval of the Zohran Mandanis of this world. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2221234/about
I’m curious how you think Israel can be both a democracy and a Zionist state. I am honestly confused about how this could look in the future. The last two years have had me challenge and then mourn many of my beliefs about Zionism. I am trying stay loving toward Israel while deeply recognizing its many transgressions. So painful. Please expand upon what a Zionist democracy really looks like.
It was a terrible transgression of them to offer the Palestinians and independent state multiple times, with the PA rejecting that outcome. The moral thing for Israel to do is apparently allow Hamas to rape, torture, murder and abduct more Israelis, or at the very least disband and return to the diaspora to be a spineless second-class minority.
Jeremy, I appreciated the fact that you struggled to finally announce your agreement with others regarding Israel's "genocide". I am saddened, though, that you chose to follow the herd and probe no further. Ever hear of Dr. Michel Thieren? With all your networks, how did you not know of the WHO's and related partners pre-ordained findings.
Perhaps you need to step back and understand that endearing ourselves (as Jews) to the multitude actually endangers Ahm Israel.
Wow! You said it all, Jeremy. Isn't it funny that it takes courage to say the truth? Yet, and there is so much more that needs to be done by all of us, to make the words you speak so eloquently and rightfully, but still a dream, a reality.
It's interesting that what needs to be done here in the United States to save our democracy, and to rebuild a stronger one, is the same for Zionists here and in Israeli who love and believe in Israel. First, there's the NoKings movement here growing everyday with all its grassroots organizing, along with the risky but necessary business of resistance against tyranny, And there, in Israel, together with us liberal Zionists supporting and doing the work from here, the major campaign Yitzhak Rabin started to grow peace with our Arab neighbors, starting with the dismantling of the tools and systems enforcing the occupation, We're all just at the beginning of making our dream a reality.
I don't know if this dream is the same as what the pre-state Zionists had in mind. I'm sure it was for the majority. And here we still are. Just at the beginning.
I also am curious about question Lisa posted. Thank you.
First of all, the two paths don't contradict each other. Secondly, in 1988 the PLO recognized Israel's right to exist in peace. Israel has yet to reciprocate by recognizing the right of a sovereign state of Palestine.
It never recognized Israel as a Jewish State...and the fact it continues the pay for slay program puts the "recognition" in question.
With all due respect to Jeremy, I listened to Leah Rabin speak at the National Press Club in Washington about her husband Yitzhak's tragic assassination. She blamed Benjamin Netanyahu in no uncertain terms, and believed that a two-state "solution" was impossible.
See, e.g., https://www.jweekly.com/1998/01/16/leah-rabin-calls-netanyahu-all-political-manipulation/ ("Leah Rabin calls Netanyahu all political manipulation") and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/israels-senseless-killings-and-war-with-iran/ ("Israel's Senseless Killings And War With Iran")
Indeed, in his book, Jeremy echoed such sentiments when he wrote: "Is this how I wanted to be treated when I was a minority in another people's country?" He was right then, and his words were prophetic.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2025/10/09/at-least-77-years-of-nonstop-butchery/ ("At Least 77 Years Of Nonstop Butchery") and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/is-israel-doomed/ ("Is Israel Doomed?")
IfNotNow has reported that more and more Israelis are refusing to enlist or serve in the military, despite facing prison and public backlash. At some point, Netanyahu and his Israeli butchers need to be tried for their many crimes, like Adolf Eichmann was, with a similar result.
Jeremy has admitted what the world knows: Israel has been engaged in Genocide since 1948. Tragically; it has given rise to anti-Semitism, which affects every Jew in the world, even those with no ties to Israel.
See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/americas-jews-are-americans/ ("America’s Jews Are Americans")
Jeremy has never said nor suggested that Israel "has been engaged in genocide since 1948." His recent rhetoric, however, has allowed anti-Israel blowhards like you to feel justified in your nonsense.
Thank you, Jill.
Tim - your rhetoric (here and elsewhere) week after week is shameful.
The Jewish people have every right to a state in the land of Israel where I write to you now from the World Zionist Congress, to which I am a proud delegate.
Jill - you and I may not agree on a slew of the important questions facing the Jewish people and the state of Israel today, but I know we do agree on the fundamental justice of the existence of a national homeland for the Jewish people here in Israel. I also appreciate the civil way in which you engage in our disagreements.
My talk tomorrow - posted here lays out my vision of how that state can be secure, Jewish and democratic - and accepted as a productive partner in the region by its neighbors.
Happy to, Jeremy. And happy to continue this conversation in the future, either here or one-on-one!
This too:
See also https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/j-streets-deceit/
Jeremy, it is shameful that it took you so long to admit that Israel has been engaged in Genocide, since 1948!
Also, you seem ignorant with respect to how the world views Israel. It is the most hated entity on the Earth. And yes, it is tragic how innocent Jews who have no ties to Israel are experiencing anti-Semitism.
Only ignorant person in this thread is you, Timothy. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Thank you Jill for snapping back at Timothy N. He trolls on J Street posts constantly. He’s consistently critical and boring. I keep wondering why he hasn’t found something else to do with his time.
Most anti-Zionist cretins have nothing better to do.
"Liberal Jew" says all we need to know.
You say that like it’s a bad thing. LOL. Idiot
This too:
See https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/j-streets-deceit/
Mob rules, then?👌