J Street organizes pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans to promote US policies that embody our deeply held Jewish and democratic values and that help secure the State of Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people. We believe that only a negotiated resolution agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians can meet the legitimate needs and national aspirations of both peoples.
Working in the American political system, in the Jewish community and with others with whom we share core values, we advocate for diplomacy-first American leadership and policies that advance justice, equality, peace, and democracy in Israel, in the wider region and in the United States as well.
As we enter the new, unpredictable and unsettling era of Trump’s second presidency, read the J Street Policy Center’s key priorities.
See topline results, crosstabs, and analysis from our most recent polling.
Even as the ceasefire and hostage deal is returning hostages to their families and allowing civilians in Gaza to recover and rebuild, there are those seeking to bring the deal down. Our message to Washington: See this ceasefire through. Bring every hostage home. We cannot restart this war.
Watch our introductory video to learn more about our values and our pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy work in pursuit of a future of peace and justice for Israelis and Palestinians.
Our Israel is a J Street initiative to spotlight amazing Israeli organizations and individuals who share our values and who struggle, as we do in the United States, to build and preserve a liberal, democratic society underpinned by the principles of equality, freedom, justice and peace.
Watch and listen to our conversations with subject matter experts exploring different perspectives, building bridges, and fostering dialogue.
On February 20, J Street was joined by former West Bank and Gaza USAID Mission Director Larry Garber and Co-Director of Israeli grassroots peacebuilding movement Women Wage Peace Dr. Yael Braudo-Bahat for an on-the-ground perspective on Trump and Musk’s efforts to dismantle USAID.
Dr. Judith N. Lasker reflects on her family's history surviving the Holocaust and what lessons we can take from that time and apply to our modern fights for democracy and against rising fascism.
This Presidents’ Day, let’s recommit to the pro-democracy fight ahead – a battle that will take place in the halls of Congress and in the courts and, before we know it, at the ballot box.
We call on US and world leaders to reject these unacceptable proposals—outright. They violate U.S. law, international law, and our core values, posing a grave danger to us all.
Israel Presses Hamas to Expedite Hostage Release After Humiliating Treatment of Captives, Haaretz
Israel is pushing for the early return of the last four bodies slated for release while negotiating a possible exchange through Egypt, where Hamas may send the bodies in two phases in return for Israel releasing roughly 600 Palestinian prisoners. Justifying its delay of the prisoner release as a response to Hamas’ barbaric treatment of hostages, the Israeli government aims to prevent a repeat of last week’s controversial handover ceremony.
Trump Repeals Biden Directive Linking US Arms to Human Rights, The Washington Post
The Trump Administration has rescinded Biden’s NSM-20 directive, which required US allies to ensure that American-made weapons were not used in violation of international humanitarian law. Critics, including former State Department official Christopher Le Mon, warn that this move signals that the administration “simply doesn’t care how these governments use US arms, no matter how immoral or illegal their conduct.”