J Street’s “Champions” are Weakening Israel’s Security

I’ll never forget the first time I saw the miracle of Iron Dome in action. It was like a page out of a science fiction novel.

I was with my family on the streets of Israel. We heard the sirens and quickly whisked our kids, young at the time, to shelter. We saw the interceptors and heard the thunderous sound of Iron dome removing the threat from the sky. My wife and I marveled at the miracle before our eyes. My first reaction was “thank God for AIPAC and the US Israel relationship which has enabled this technology to save lives – in this case mine and my kids, among others.”

Every time Iron Dome is used, it saves lives. I am proud that so many in our pro-Israel community have lobbied Congress, with AIPAC at the forefront of the effort, to fund Iron Dome over the years and increase its presence throughout Israel, keeping the citizens of Israel safer.

But Iron Dome’s success has bred a dangerous narrative that must be refuted and confronted head-on. Some naively believe Israel’s defense systems alone are enough to keep our ally safe. This view is dangerous, misguided, and ignorant of the facts on the ground.

The Jewish state cannot protect its citizens by only intercepting rockets fired by terrorists at a time and place of their choosing. Israel must have both a strong defense and a strong offense. In fact, strong offense enables defensive victories.

This week’s unprecedented and targeted IDF strikes are a perfect case in point. In an operation unlike any other in history – including during the 2006 Lebanon War – Israeli fighter jets flew 650 sorties and struck 1,300 Hezbollah sites to destroy and degrade the terror group’s capabilities.

Among the locations targeted were thousands of launcher barrels with rockets and missiles aimed and ready to fire at Israel. If not for Israel’s offensive actions, those weapons would have launched and countless more Israelis would have been injured or killed.

This seemingly obvious point is being challenged by many on the extreme flank in the Democratic party. Small but vocal, they are leading an effort in Congress to stop President Biden from selling Israel the offensive weapons it critically needs.

Bernie Sanders is the ringleader, and Senators including Chris Van Hollen, Jeff Merkley, and Peter Welch are rumored to join in soon. That is a grossly misguided action that will lead to an existential danger to our strongest ally.

Notably, all of the senators working to stop Israel from receiving the weapons it needs to protect its citizens are endorsed by J Street.

Inexplicably, J Street – the group that touts itself as “pro-Israel” – is raising money for the very senators working to isolate Israel and undermine its ability to defend itself from Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, Iran’s nefarious proxies. That is most certainly not mainstream and it is not pro-Israel.

The mainstream and majority of the Democratic party – and the Republican party for that matter – are standing with Israel.

Israel is being attacked on seven fronts at once and is targeted daily in the battlefield of social media. The weapons promised to Israel by President Biden are vital for Israel safety and security. Their Congressional approval sends a clear message to Israel’s many enemies that America has its back.

A vote to block weapons to Israel also sends a message to Israel’s enemies. A dangerous one that we cannot tolerate. Through its continued support and endorsement, J Street is enabling senators who are undermining Israel’s security.

J Street recently claimed it was the “mainstream voice of Jewish and pro-Israel Americans.” It’s embrace of anti-Israel leaders who are working to weaken the U.S.-Israel relationship says otherwise.

Our community must be clear-eyed about what J Street is and reject its attempt to blur the lines between the vastly pro-Israel mainstream and the anti-Israel fringe it embraces. And most importantly, we must come together to ensure Congress rejects this dangerous effort by J Street’s champions to block arms sales to Israel. Together, we can vocalize and mobilize support and protect the state of Israel by enabling defensive and offensive measures to our most valued ally and the only democracy in the Middle East.