Final(?) word on Michael Oren and J Street conference: Embassy will send an observer

It appears that Ambassador Michael Oren will not attend the J Street conference - at least that's the word today.  

Embassy: We'll just observe J Street conference

 

By Eric Fingerhut · October 20, 2009

 

After questions over the past week over whether Israeli ambassador Michael Oren would attend next week's J Street conference, the Israeli Embassy has released a statement  saying it would be sending an observer to the Oct. 25-28 event. J Street responded by saying they hoped to get a "direct response" from Oren, and believe he'll be "missing an opportunity." Here's the Embassy's statement released Tuesday morning:

 

    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. Accordingly, the embassy will send an observer to the conference and will follow its proceedings with interest.

 

And J Street's response, from spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick:

 

    J Street still looks forward to receiving a direct response from Ambassador Oren to our invitation to speak at the conference.  We believe the Government of Israel will be missing an opportunity should it choose not to engage with the over 1,200 pro-Israel activists who will be in attendance at the J Street conference next week.  The invitation to address the conference's participants remains open, and we look forward to working with the Embassy to secure Israel's future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people.