Story perspectives

Israeli Ambassador Labels J Street ‘Cancer,’ Slams Sanders

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter called J Street a “cancer” and “duplicitous” May 19 2026 at a Task Force to Combat Antisemitism gathering in Washington.
He said J Street cannot be pro-Israel while pushing an arms embargo and called Senator Bernie Sanders a Communist with Jewish pedigree.
J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami urged the ambassador to engage dissenting Jews, saying J Street reflects a segment of Jews backing Israel but opposing his policies.

History

Historical Context

In 1975 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 3379, declaring Zionism a form of racism, with 72 member states voting in favor; intense U.S. pressure led to its repeal by Resolution 46/86 in 1991 and a softer UN tone after the 1993 Oslo accords. Today Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter’s attack on J Street echoes that earlier diplomatic clash.

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Story summary

Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter called J Street a “cancer” and “duplicitous” May 19 2026 at a Task Force to Combat Antisemitism gathering in Washington.
He said J Street cannot be pro-Israel while pushing an arms embargo and called Senator Bernie Sanders a Communist with Jewish pedigree.
J Street president Jeremy Ben-Ami urged the ambassador to engage dissenting Jews, saying J Street reflects a segment of Jews backing Israel but opposing his policies.

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