J Street Launches Online Campaign Against Prime Minister Netanyahu

Photo: J Street #BibiDoesntSpeakForMe campaign poster

Credit: J Street Petition

J Street, touting itself as a liberal American pro-Israel organization, has launched a petition against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - though it's not the first time. The group is opposed to the Prime Minister’s claims that he will be giving a speech before Congress on behalf of all Jews. Prime Minister Netanyahu also claimed that, “Just as I arrived there in Paris, thus I shall arrive to any place where I’m invited.”Photo: Holocaust-inspired clothing line by Urban Outfitters

The petition takes issue with the idea that Netanyahu, or Bibi as he's more affectionately known, is claiming to represent all Jews in these upcoming discussions, but many members of the Jewish community don’t necessarily support or share his ideas and opinions. In response to this, J Street has launched both a petition and their #BibiDoesntSpeakForMe Twitter campaign.

Part of their petition reads, “He’s in the middle of a tough election campaign, battling along with other party leaders for the right to represent Israelis - but he certainly cannot claim any mandate to speak for Jews in the United States. Add your name. Help us let his Ambassador in Washington, Ron Dermer, know that - as an American, as a Jew - Benjamin Netanyahu doesn’t speak for you.”

In addition to the Prime Minister’s statement about speaking on behalf of all Jews, his acceptance of US Speaker of the House John Boehner’s invitation to talk to Congress has launched Netanyahu into controversy. Given that the White House did not give prior consent for his visit, and the March 17th Knesset around the corner, many people (mostly liberals) are urging Israel’s Prime Minister to cancel his trip to the States.

Netanyahu, however, has yet to agree to cancel his plans.

Taking to Twitter, the Israeli Prime Minister referred to talks between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Munich to defend his trip to the US.

“At a time when there are those who would deal with protocol and politics, an agreement with Iran is taking shape in Munich that would risk Israel’s existence,” he wrote. “Therefore, I’m determined to travel to Washington and present Israel’s position before Congress and the American people.”