Kathleen Peratis
J Street board member Kathleen Peratis, a NY lawyer, had the guts to debate boycott and she has had the guts to go as a “tourist” to Gaza, as she reported in the Forward, and have a great time and talk to unnamed Hamas officials. Well Adam Kredo at Washington Jewish Week has reported the story out and found that J Street is uncomfortable with her overture.
Asked what to make of Peratis’ eyebrow-raising article, a J Street official said that Peratis does not speak for the group on this issue.
J Street spokesperson Jessica Rosenblum, in fact, went on the record to say that “J Street believes that Hamas’ consistent opposition to the peace process, its support for terror against Israeli civilians, its use of violence for political purposes and its denial of the Holocaust are reprehensible.”
Peratis, however, recounts her experience as a fun-filled joy fest spent with friends. She quotes one smuggler as saying: ”Please tell your friends that Hamas people are ordinary people. We are not barbarians.”…
Peratis adds:
“Nearly everyone I spoke to – mostly Hamas officials, but also others – seemed to feel a great sense of pride in what he or she had survived, and confidence in the future. They all believe that Hamas triumphed in the prisoner-exchange deal with Israel, that despite international condemnation and punishment they are thriving, and that cutting all ties with Israel has been to Gaza’s benefit. Many seem to think that reconciliation with Fatah is probable, and with it, national elections. They see the Americans engaging with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and think that Hamas – and its further prosperity and legitimacy – may not be far behind. As one Gazan put it, ‘Time is on our side.'”
When I went to Gaza, Taghreed El-Khodary then of the New York Times told our group, you have to talk to Hamas, Hamas is part of the Gaza polity. Right. As the Muslim Brotherhood is part of the Egyptian polity. And the Christian right is part of our polity. Deal. And kudos to Peratis. Maybe a sign of things to come?
Wait, Hamas are people?
This is a no brainer Phil. Anybody that wants to represent the US government and US interests had to abide by US law – that includes interactions with and meetings with Hamas, which is labeled (justifingly so) by the US European Union and a few other major players.
Other groups, including MPAC (Muslim Public Affairs Committee) have come out publicly saying they are a terrorist organization and they will not meet/affiliate with Hamas, but why such the harsh standards when a Jewish group says similarly?
Thanks.
But ok with J Street for people to meet with Israeli “terrorist”
More evidence that the leadership and membership of J Street is quite diverse. As it should be. Be cautious when anyone portrays that organization as monolithic.
If Gershom Baskin can talk with Hamas, then others should be accepted as doing so as well.
And, on Hamas’ side, if they can talk and negotiate with Gershom Baskin respectfully, then they should accept Israel and talk with Israeli officials respectfully as well.