J Street: Israel election results should spur serious reckoning for pro-peace Americans

Jeremy Ben-Ami, who heads the dovish Mideast lobby J Street, expresses deep concern about the projected Israeli election results showing the pro-Netanyahu bloc of right-wing, religious parties poised to return to the governing coalition after less than two years.

“Last night’s election results in Israel are deeply troubling for all who care about Israel and about liberal democracy globally — for those whose core values of justice, equality and freedom are fundamentally at odds with those of the parties and leaders who stand on the cusp of victory,” Ben-Ami says.

“Of course, Americans didn’t have a vote in yesterday’s election, and we respect the outcome even as we declare our staunch opposition to the dangerous policies and ideology of those who won,” he says.

“The likely formation of an ultra-right Netanyahu government should force a moment of serious reckoning for all Americans who care about the nature of the US-Israel relationship and a just, equal and democratic future for both Israelis and Palestinians.”