A week into J Street’s Leadership Mission to Israel, the earth shook. An earthquake Friday, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, rattled Israelis but caused little damage.

The "real earthquake" during our trip – and the one that made headlines – was, of course, political not geological. A surprise midnight deal between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Opposition Leader Shaul Mofaz shook Israeli politics, brought Kadima into the government, and averted early elections.

This morning’s announcement that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Leader of Kadima Shaul Mofaz will form a unity government, instead of holding early elections, raises many critical questions. Will this development bring the government toward the center and create the space for Israel’s leadership to substantively address the key challenges the country faces? Or will it go down in history as little more than a maneuver designed to ensure the political survival of those involved? Read More...

Rep. Joe Walsh’s (R-IL) call in a Washington Times op-ed Friday endorsing a “one-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – a “contiguous Israeli state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea” – is nothing short of a call for an end to Israel as the democratic home of the Jewish people. Read More...

The National Leadership Mission of J Street met today with King Abdullah II of Jordan at the King’s Palace in Amman. Read More...

Throughout her 13 years in government, Tzipi Livni has defined the ideal of public service in Israel, pursuing her vision of the best interests of Israel with passion, dignity and integrity. Read More...