The Fenton contract with Qatar was disclosed as J Street, regarded as
close to the administration of President Barack Obama, was preparing its
first annual conference, said to include 150 members of Congress. The lobby
failed to ensure the attendance of Israel's ambassador in Washington,
Michael Oren.
"In early 2009, Fenton signed contracts with a Qatari foundation to lead
an 18-month long anti-Israel campaign in the United States with a special
focus on campuses," Ben-David said in an open letter to Ben-Ami.
"Did you
sever your ties with Fenton when you began J Street? Do you retain any role
or holdings in Fenton today? Did you play any role in introducing Fenton to
the Qatari agents or play any role in facilitating the contract? Were you
aware of the negotiations or the contract signed on March 12, 2009?"
Ben-David said J Street's 160-member advisory board included those
listed as foreign agents for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Middle East Newsline reported. His letter also cited J
Street's ties with U.S. billionaire George Soros, said to have long sought
to undermine the traditional pro-Israel lobby in Washington.
"So, it appears that Soros has created an organization that competes
with AIPAC, calls for inclusion of Hamas, and opposes sanctions against
Iran," Ben-David said. "His people sit on J Street's board, and his other
offspring from the New America Foundation and the National Iranian American
Council, work in lockstep."
The Fenton contract with Qatar was disclosed as J Street, regarded as
close to the administration of President Barack Obama, was preparing its
first annual conference, said to include 150 members of Congress. The lobby
failed to ensure the attendance of Israel's ambassador in Washington,
Michael Oren.
"These questions are relevant because it's important to know if J
Street's refusal to support Israel's anti-Hamas military campaign was
influenced by your ties with Fenton, whose promotional material claims: 'We
only represent people and projects we believe in,'" the letter, titled
"Showdown on J Street," said.
J Street has reported more than 30 contributors, many of them with ties
to Arab-American organizations and Iran. The lobby has fought Israel's
efforts for U.S. sanctions on Iran.
"Heads of other pro-Arab organizations, such as AMIDEAST, and Arab
foreign agents are contributors to the PAC," Ben-David said. "But Mr.
Ben-Ami claims that no organizations or foreign governments contribute. They
don't need do; their representatives do."
On Oct. 20, the Israel embassy in Washington said Oren would not attend
J Street's conference, scheduled to begin on Oct. 25. In contrast, the White
House has sent
National Security Advisor James Jones to give the keynote address.
"In response to the question about J Street's invitation to participate
in its conference, the Embassy of Israel has been privately communicating
its concerns over certain policies of the organization that may impair the
interests of Israel," the embassy said in a statement. "Accordingly, the
embassy will send an observer to the conference and will follow its
proceedings with interest."
