For all its inherent conservatism – belief in a two-state solution etc – the US-based Israel lobby J Street is starting to make political head-way. When fanatical Zionists are upset, you know you’re doing something right.
Senior Zionist figures are worried. A sign of progress, indeed:
So why J Street? Why all this fury? More to the point, why do so many find this group so threatening?
I asked one Jewish leader, who asked not to be identified; his response centered on this belief that Israel is particularly vulnerable and isolated at this time and therefore needs a unified American Jewish community as a critical element in its security.
Pushing the line of Israel as the eternal victim appeals to only the propagandists.