I assume most readers of this weblog are well aware that J Street is a subject of substantial contributions by people who are in no way “pro-Israel and pro-peace.” The contribution isn’t the problem by itself–generally if people offer you money you should take it. But when asked why such people would direct substantial chunks of money to it, J Street’s usual response is that these people show they just want a two-state solution, etc. But you look at the websites for the organization those people belong to and you don’t see much acceptance of Israel’s right to exist; quite the opposite, as it happens.

A little experiment I’ve tried a few times: Read J Street’s public pronouncements and see if there’s anything in them that could not come from a pro-Palestinian group, albeit one that likes to present itself as moderate.

I think J Street is mostly a haven for people whose main loyalty is to progressivism but aren’t able to acknowledge that between today’s progressivism and genuine support for Israel there is a gulf. In any case, many years ago I echoed something Lezlek Kolakowski said in a different context: If that is left, then hell no I am not left and do not wish to be.”

This is seriously the most amateurish question I’ve seen in a national poll that wasn’t obviously a “push-poll” (designed by marketing people to appear objective while feeding you information in favor of a particular candidate or product). My guess is that – as you’ve noted – this was a completely dishonest effort from start to finish.

Not that the J-Street poll is very careful to avoid saying what the “two state solution” will mean.