In April, a new pro-Israel pro-peace organization called JStreet was launched, to give a voice to the vast majority of American Jews who want to see a peaceful two-state solution in Israel and Palestine, but who were almost always shouted down by a small but far more organized minority on the right.
Unlike other pro-Israel organizations, JStreet has a political action committee (JStreetPac), which can endorse and raise money for candidates. This morning, they released their first round of seven Congressional endorsements, with several netroots candidates making up the list including Steve Cohen, Darcy Burner, and Donna Edwards!
First, some more about JStreet:
J Street was founded to promote meaningful American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israel conflicts peacefully and diplomatically. We support a new direction for American policy in the Middle East and a broad public and policy debate about the U.S. role in the region.
J Street represents Americans, primarily but not exclusively Jewish, who support Israel and its desire for security as the Jewish homeland, as well as the right of the Palestinians to a sovereign state of their own - two states living side-by-side in peace and security. We believe ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is in the best interests of Israel, the United States, the Palestinians, and the region as a whole.
J Street supports diplomatic solutions over military ones, including in Iran; multilateral over unilateral approaches to conflict resolution; and dialogue over confrontation with a wide range of countries and actors when conflicts do arise.
Check out this video for more:
Today, JStreetPAC endorsed seven candidates for Congress:
Rep. Steve Cohen, TN-09, one of the most progressive freshman representatives:
Elected in 2006, Cohen has already distinguished himself as a fresh new voice on Capitol Hill and the type of pro-Israel voice JStreetPAC is proud to support. A staunch opponent of the war in Iraq, he has championed other JStreetPAC priorities including increased US assistance to the Palestinian authority to help create conditions for a lasting two-state solution.
If you'll recall, Steve Cohen is facing a primary challenge against Nikki Tinker, a puppet of the Ford family in Memphis. Tinker got the endorsement of EMILY's List last week, but given their credibility right about now, I'd rather have JStreet's endorsement!
Darcy Burner, WA-08:
She’s established herself as a foreign policy leader among this cycle’s challengers, commissioning "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq" from leading American generals and security experts and organizing 55 other Congressional candidates to support it.
Donna Edwards, MD-04:
She advocates fresh thinking in the Middle East as well. She’ll be a strong voice for American leadership in pursuing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as aggressive diplomacy to advance U.S. interests in the Middle East.
The rest of the list includes three more Democratic candidates: Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), and Dennis Shulman (NJ-15). It also includes one Republican, Charles Boustany (LA-07).
Barack Obama has already stated that he will pursue a sensible policy of active diplomacy to work towards peace in Israel and Palestine. It is so important that we have a majority in Congress that shares his vision, that wants to promote peace rather than undermine it.
Give and give generously, people!