A fantastic speech at J Street, in a day that started with starting the handicapped Boston Marathon

[karynnj]

then seeing the Red Sox.

Here is a link to the J Street speech - http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/04/255951.htm (Here is a link to the video - http://jstreet.org/2016-assembly-stream Kerry is on starting at 1 hr 10 min. Biden is at 1 hr 41 min. - An interesting young MK Stav Shaffir speaks earlier at about 29 minutes in.)

Earlier in the day:

Then before heading to DC for J Street, he went to see the Red Sox. https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/names/2016/04/18/john-kerry-takes-red-sox-game/eyatStaLPPeX9uXIfnTfZO/story.html

Today, he is in NYC and will be meeting with Zarif.

I would guess that Kerry, who had not until, I think yesterday, been on the schedule for J Street really wanted to thank them for their consistent support of him on the Iran deal and his negotiating for a two state solution -- in addition, the 3 honored ambassadors have long supported him and - at least two seem to be long time friends of his.

[MBS]

1. Many thanks for this.

I look forward to reading this ASAP. I have no doubt that it will be as thoughtful and spot-on as always.

BTW, I read somewhere that Biden had strong words for Netanyahu. . .

[karynnj]

2. Biden had some very strong words on Netayahu

In fact, stronger than anything that Shaffir had to say.

It is interesting to consider the differences between Clinton and Sanders, speaking the Brooklyn debate (http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/15/sanders-clinton-brooklyn-debate-israel-palestine-comments) and Biden and Kerry. All different - likely because of personality and the position they are in. Yet, in terms of where they say they want to end up, they all speak of two states living in peace.

One huge difference is that Sanders spoke of the Palestinians and their needs - far more than the other three. Like Sanders, Biden overtly called out Netanyahu as he spoke extensively on the settlements. Kerry, in this speech, focuses on the need to change and make choices and you can't get there "just condemning the other side". In the rest of the world, even Sanders would be said to not be even handed given his comment that he is 100% pro Israel. Biden and Kerry are still very much pro Israel liberal Zionists - as is Stav Sheiffer and - for the most part - J Street.

Clinton, in terms of her world view, is very likely also a liberal Zionist -- and that is the root of why she calls for a 2 state solution. That is the dominant American position - Democrat or Republican - Jew or not. In some ways, it is different than our position anywhere else. For how many countries have we heard people like Kerry call for an inclusive, unified, secular, democratic country. Here, that would be the immediately rejected idea of a one state solution with equal rights for all. What is interesting here is that Sanders is closer to Biden, Kerry and even Clinton than to say - Jews for a Just peace.

Given the broader spectrum that people COULD be on, what is interesting is that all these Democrats are in a pretty narrow range. Where there MIGHT be a difference is that Sanders, if President might not veto things that are consistent with our policy, and Obama, Biden and Kerry might put out the plan for a two state solution and that could be in conjunction with a positive resolution. I don't see Clinton doing that ... but her actions if President would likely be in line with Obama's actions up until now.

[MBS]

3. good analysis, as always! n/t