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.
In a moment of crisis and war for Israelis and Palestinians, and with events on the ground and in Washington moving fast, it is extremely important for J Street to be clear about where we stand, what we are advocating for, and what we are encouraging the Biden Administration and Members of Congress to do.
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.
We want to take our country forward, protect our democratic freedoms and model smart, pro-Israel, pro-peace, diplomacy-first leadership abroad. We’re not going back.
We urge senators to continue to make the safe return of the hostages a high-priority issue in all meetings with the Biden administration and other interlocutors, and to strongly consider the impact that any US policies and actions may have on the safety of hostages.
Diana Clark of Massachusetts shares, “if you have hope, please, please hope. Hope for us all. But I am reconciled to loss, including the loss of hope that Israel will ever be for me what I had hoped it would be: a place where the rights and dignity of all are acknowledged and upheld.”
Michael Seiden of Arizona writes, “Those of us who feel concern for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are not outcasts to our religion.”
Efrat Machikawa, whose 80-year-old uncle Gadi Moses is still held in Gaza, writes, “Watching the way Netanyahu handles the situation is sickening to many of us. He’s been able to blind the Israeli public and empower a loud extremist group to take over the moral wheel of our dear state. The betrayal is painful but we shall not let it be paralyzing. We must hold on to the beautiful country our parents and grandparents devoted their lives to build for the sake of our children and all who find Israel to be their second homeland.”
Alma Rutgers of Connecticut writes, “We can’t wish away this past year. But with the gates of heaven open at Rosh Hashanah, we can let our prayers ascend, embracing hope for a good inscription in our Book of Life. May prayers in the service of Peace enhance the renewal of Torah existence in the service of Life on the Simchat Torah anniversary of the deadly horror that brought us such a terrible year.”
Israel and US Repel 180-Missile Attack From Iran, Axios
Iran launched around 180 ballistic missiles toward Israel in a two-wave attack on Tuesday that U.S. and Israeli officials say was largely repelled. This was Iran’s largest-scale attack ever against Israel. Most of the missiles were intercepted by Israel and the U.S., and there are no reports of deaths inside Israel. One Palestinian civilian was reportedly killed in the West Bank.
Seven People Killed in Shooting, Stabbing Terror Attack in Jaffa, The Times of Israel
Seven people were killed and at least eight others wounded in a shooting and stabbing terror attack in Jaffa on Tuesday evening, according to Israel Police, in one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years.