Livni letter backs J Street

Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni sent a letter of support to J Street on the eve of its first national conference.

Livni, of the Kadima Party, said she could not participate in J Street’s Oct. 25-28 event, but wished the group “much success” at the conference. Livni said she and J Street, a lobbying group that bills itself as “pro-Israel, pro-peace,” shared a similar “vision” of a two-state solution.

“In my view, the discussion in the pro-Israel community of what best advances Israel’s cause should be inclusive and broad enough to encompass a variety of views, provided it is conducted in a respectful and legitimate manner,” Livni wrote. “Along the way, we may not agree on everything but I do believe that we must ensure that what unites us as Jews who are committed to Israel’s future as a secure, Jewish, and democratic State is far greater than what separates us.”

Earlier in the week, the Israeli Embassy said U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren would not be attending the conference because J Street supports positions that may “impair Israel’s interest,” instead saying it would send an observer.