Israel ambassador meets head of J Street

Israel’s U.S. ambassador formally met with the director of J Street.

“The conversation, which took place at the Israeli Embassy, lasted approximately one hour and covered a wide range of topics, including the peace process, the U.S.-Israel relationship and Iran,” said a statement from the group describing the April 15 afternoon meeting between Ambassador Michael Oren and Jeremy Ben-Ami.

“The meeting builds on months of discussions between the pro-Israel, pro-peace lobby and the embassy aimed at clarifying the Israeli government’s understanding of J Street’s views and included a forthright discussion of points of agreement and disagreement,” the J Street statement added.

J Street backs an assertive posture in brokering peace and forcefully opposes Israel’s settlements policy. It strongly criticized Israel’s actions in the 2009 Gaza war.

Oren refused to attend the group’s first major conference last fall and later said the group’s views “endangered” Israel. — jta