J Street is proud to have sponsored a tour of seven distinguished Israeli security and political experts, including retired IDF Generals and Ambassadors, to the U.S. discuss Israel’s security needs and interests. The delegation met with members of President Obama’s administration, members of Congress and at the Pentagon.
Israeli Maj. Gen. (ret.) Shlomo Gazit, former Ambassador Alon Pinkas and Brig. Gen. (ret.) Nehamiah Dagan, among the others, spoke about the urgent need for Israel-Palestinian negotiations on a two-state solution to begin in advance of the anticipated UN vote on Palestinian statehood in September. They told the administration, members of Congress and U.S military officials that President Obama’s declaration for a negotiated settlement based on 1967 lines with agreed-upon land swaps was not just defensible, but was a political and military imperative for Israel.
The delegation, which later went to L.A., New York, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco for meetings with Jewish community leaders and members, also presented their views in public panels at the Wilson Center and Brookings Institution in Washington DC.