image sourced from original article at More than 500 rabbis, cantors and Jewish communal leaders have signed a letter urging Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, to retract and apologize for calling the liberal pro Israel lobby J Street a 'cancer within the Jewish community.' The letter says his remarks, delivered in Washington, dehumanize fellow Jews and deepen divisions at a tense moment in Jewish life.
The signatories emphasize that while Judaism values vigorous debate, disagreements must be expressed with humanity, humility and respect. They argue that leaders in both Israel and the United States have a responsibility to lower tensions rather than inflame them, and they call for a public apology to those hurt by the comments.
The dispute reflects broader disagreements over J Street's stance on Israeli government policies, including its recent opposition to continued military aid to Israel. Former ambassador Michael Herzog also criticized J Street, questioning whether the group can be considered pro Israel and arguing that most Israelis do not view it as such.
