Executive Director of J Street Jeremy Ben-Ami pressed the need for American involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian debate at an event last Thursday sponsored by J Street U and Gen Ed Now. J Street is a self-described "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby with outreach programs at universities around the country.Ben-Ami explained to his audience that J Street was established two years ago because "we believe in the concept of a Jewish home in the state of Israel" and that its security is at stake. J Street is meant to "enable a discussion in the American Jewish community around these issues," he said.

J Street is routinely being challenged by pro-Israel organizations who feel that the organization is sending the wrong message about what is best for the Jewish state of Israel, Ben-Ami said. The Washington Post reported last April that J Street has "prompted criticism from many established Jewish advocacy groups, which say the project appears calibrated to grab attention and often goes too far in its critiques of Israeli policy."

Ben-Ami explained that his organization promotes the idea that there is a lot of "gray." He added, "I am pro-Palestinian because I am pro-Israel."

Having returned from Israel just three days prior to the event, Ben-Ami stressed that he had never felt such a sense of urgency in the area. "The real chance for actually dividing this land . is slipping away from us by the month," he said.

In an interview with the Justice after the event, Ben-Ami said, "The best thing that can happen is not that we preach an answer but that we open up the discussion."

President of J Street U-Brandeis Jeremy Sherer '10, who introduced Ben-Ami, told the Justice in an interview after the event, "I really wanted to bring this approach to Israel advocacy to the campus. . Right now we are a senior-heavy organization, ... but I don't think there is ever going to be a shortage of advocates for Israel at Brandeis University."

J Street U-Brandeis was chartered by the Brandeis Student Union last fall, and "I could not have seen it going this well," Sherer told the Justice.

Sherer told the Justice that this event, which was attended by about 60 students, was highly successful in his opinion.

Other attendees also shared their thoughts on the event with the Justice.

Shirel Guez '12 said, "I thought his criticisms of Israel were too harsh, especially when he blamed Israel for lacking strong leadership with peaceful initiatives." Although she was less than pleased with Ben-Ami's arguments, she said, "I do still think very highly ... of J Street U at Brandeis.