I agree that the use of the term “Israel Firster” is a bad choice of words. The conspiracy theory that American Jews have dual loyalty is just that, a conspiracy theory and must be refuted in the strongest possible way. However, this incident is a perfect example of a more pressing problem with the way the debate plays out over Israel in the American Jewish community and in American politics. Rather than engage directly over whether or not American and/or Israeli policies are actually advancing American and Israeli interests, an ill-chosen word or phrase is used to delegitimize a critic or in this case an entire institution. The real question we should be debating is not the use of the term "Israel Firster" but the underlying questions being raised by CAP and others over the direction of American foreign policy – how best to achieve a two-state solution and how to prevent Iran from attaining a nuclear weapon without going to war. Read More...

WASHINGTON—J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement in response to Governor Rick Perry’s press conference this morning on Israel and the US-Israel relationship: Read More...

In policy paper and open letter, leading pro-Israel, pro-peace organization urges US diplomatic initiative to avert vote. Read More...

“It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that Hadar Susskind, J Street's Vice President of Policy and Strategy, is moving on to a new position with Tides, a values-based infrastructure platform for social change. Hadar will join Tides as Senior Vice President/Managing Director and will formally leave J Street on September 30. Read More...

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Washington—Support for both President Barack Obama and for US leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains robust among American Jews, according to a new poll. Read More...

J Street condemns the Knesset’s passage yesterday of a law making the call for boycotts of Israel or the West Bank settlements illegal, as a clear and unabashed violation of the fundamental democratic precept of freedom of speech. Read More...

J Street opposes the Gaza-bound flotilla. We strongly urge those organizing and participating in the flotilla to reconsider. We are deeply concerned that a new attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza could spark violence and result in further entrenchment by both sides, derailing efforts to restart Israeli-Palestinian negotiations at this critical time. Read More...