‘Anti-Israel’ Event Gears Up in South Florida
J Street, a controversial group that claims to represent the views of a large segment of the American Jewish and pro-Israel community, is sponsoring an event in Boca Raton, Fla. on Saturday night.
The purpose of the event: to call for the creation of a Palestinian state. J Street believes reaching a two-state solution is essential for Israel to live in peace. The event will take place at Congregation B’nai Israel at 7:30 pm.
“Ahead of the unilateral declaration at the UN on recognition of a Palestinian state this coming September, we find ourselves in a race against time to reach an agreement,” says J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “As Americans deeply committed to Israel’s security as a democracy and a Jewish homeland, we bring with us a sense of great urgency in calling on all parties to the conflict to take immediate steps to advance the peace process, and we stand determined to do our part in seeing a two-state solution achieved.”
But although J Street clams to represent the best interest of Jews, some Israel supporters are calling the group and its agenda “anti-Israel”—and they are planning to protest. Young Zionists (YZ) and Tea Party Fort Lauderdale (TPFL) are banning together to hold a joint demonstration outside the J Street event tonight.
“There is chaos in the Middle East, Hamas is now teaming up with Fatah against Israel, soon-to-be nuclear Iran is threatening Israel’s annihilation, and all J Street is worried about is the creation of a Palestine," says Joe Kaufman, a YZ spokesman. "It is this type of dangerous obsession which motivates pro-terror groups and individuals against the Jewish state.”
TPFL Director Danita Kilcullen says his group is protesting to expose J Street’s radical views to the public: "More and more, Israel is under threat, and we’re not going to sit back and ignore the situation without having our voices heard.”