Many American Jews have been demonstrating to protest the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

CAIRO — Many American Jews are demanding an end to the deadly Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, warning that the blitz tarnishes the image of Israel and its chief ally Washington.

"As Americans and as friends and supporters of Israel, we do not believe the continuation of the present military operation is in the best interests of either the US or Israel," Jeremy Ben-Ami, director of the J Street Jewish group, said in a statement on their website.

"Without an immediate end to the present violence, hundreds more will die and be injured in the coming days and weeks, including innocent civilians on both sides."

More than 900 Palestinians have been killed and 4080 more wounded in Israel's three-week onslaught against Gaza, a coastal enclave of 1.6 million people.

At least 8 people, including a child, were killed early Monday in new Israeli attacks.

Israel, which spurned last week's UN ceasefire resolution, started pouring in reservist troops into Gaza late Sunday.

Several Jewish groups in the US launched J-Street in 2008 to offer an alternative, pro-peace voice to counter the influence of the hawkish American Israel Public Affair Committee (AIPAC).

Its board of directors feature prominent American Jews such as former chief of Israel's Mossad Debra DeLee and political activist Marcia Freedman, the chief of Peace Now US.

It is headed by Ben-Ami, deputy domestic policy adviser in the Bill Clinton administration and media consultant of several Jewish groups.

AIPAC has more than 100,000 members and is considered one of the most influential special interest groups in the US.

Its stated purpose is to lobby the Congress on issues and legislation that are in the best interests of Israel and the US.

Damage

J Street, which seeks to promote meaningful American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli conflict peacefully and diplomatically, warned that the offensive is damaging the image of Israel and the US worldwide.

"Demonstrations throughout the Middle East and the Muslim world indicate that this week’s events are only further damaging America’s image, interests and relationships around the world," said Ben-Ami.

Pro-Gaza rallies have been sweeping the world since Israel unleashed its military juggernaut against the Palestinians on December 27.

J Street blamed the Bush administration for the current deteriorating situation in Gaza.

"The outgoing Bush administration seems content to sit on the sidelines for its last two weeks and do little – as it has for its entire eight years – to promote active diplomacy to further the cause of peace and security for Israel and the Middle East."

Washington blames the current crisis squarely on Hamas and its rocket attacks.

It has blocked international efforts for an immediate ceasefire for days and finally abstained from voting on the UN Securi5ty Council ceasefire resolution.

"The US must understand that this week's events did not occur in a vacuum of just Hamas’ rocket fire and Israel's military response," said Ben-Ami.

"The situation is also influenced by the ongoing blockade of Gaza and its impact on the one and a half million residents of Gaza as well as the larger political conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people which, unresolved, continues to fuel deepening anger, violence and death."

Backed by the US, Israel has sealed off Gaza from all but limited humanitarian aid since Hamas was voted into power in 2006.

Former US president Jimmy Carter, the architect of the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, has denounced the crippling siege as a crime and an atrocity.