J Street President Advocates for Understanding Amid Anti-Israel Protests at DNC

Chicago, August 21, 2024 – Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, addressed the complexities surrounding anti-Israel protests during a panel discussion hosted by the Jewish Democratic Council of America. He emphasized that many left-wing activists who chant anti-Semitic slogans do not intend to offend Jewish individuals, suggesting that they lack an understanding of Jewish history and the implications of their words. Ben-Ami called for educational efforts to help these young activists articulate their views without crossing into anti-Semitism. His remarks come in the wake of escalating tensions at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) convention, where anti-Israel demonstrations have turned violent. Protesters have been seen burning American and Israeli flags and calling for an "intifada revolution." These actions have raised concerns among Jewish communities, particularly as some protests disrupted events focused on voting and rising anti-Semitism in the U.S. Ben-Ami, known for his critical stance on Israeli policies, argued that not all individuals expressing dissent against Israel should be labeled as anti-Semitic. He believes that criticism of Israel is a mainstream perspective within the Democratic Party and that the focus should be on educating rather than punishing those who may inadvertently offend. In his closing remarks, Ben-Ami reiterated the importance of fostering dialogue and understanding, stating, "There's no reason why we can't help young people who share that view to find the language to express that and to understand the history of the Jewish people."