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.
Learn about organizations you can support to provide direct relief to those directly impacted by the Israel-Hamas 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.
As pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans, we urge you to speak out and support the Biden Administration’s push for a humanitarian pause in fighting to provide the support necessary to Palestinian civilians trapped in Gaza.
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.
Mark your calendars! The J Street Convention is coming to Washington, DC on April 6-9, 2024.
"Support for Israel’s operation doesn’t require providing a blank check for the Netanyahu government to operate without a clear exit strategy – or without any commitment to a political vision beyond his failed “conflict management” approach."
"That’s why – at the one-month mark – we believe it is necessary to ask tough questions and to consider whether the approach being taken will achieve the goals we all share and whether the cost in civilian lives is acceptable."
As the US prepares to provide Israel with a massive new package of military assistance, the secretary should insist that as part of their receipt and use of this aid, Israeli authorities must acknowledge, respect and adhere to the asks and guardrails set by the US government for its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank, and for post-war moves toward lasting conflict resolution.
The world must recognize both Israel and Palestine as the national homelands of their respective peoples – and so too, each of those two states must recognize the other and their right to live next door in peace and security.
Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza Resume After Weeklong Truce With Hamas Ends, AP
Israeli fighter jets hit targets in the Gaza Strip minutes after a weeklong truce expired on Friday, as the war with Hamas resumed in full force. Black smoke billowed from the besieged territory, and Israel dropped leaflets over parts of southern Gaza urging people to leave their homes, suggesting it was preparing to widen its offensive. In Israel, sirens warning of incoming rockets blared at several communal farms near Gaza, a sign that militants also restarted attacks, but there were no reports of hits.
Israeli Prisoner Release Shines Light on System of Detaining Palestinians Without Charge, NBC News
According to an NBC News analysis of the Israeli government approved a list of Palestinian prisoners eligible for release, about 20% of them were convicted of crimes, the most serious of which is attempted murder. The list indicates that others were detained for offenses such as supporting terrorism, trespassing, belonging to an illegal organization, throwing incendiary devices and stones and carrying, possessing and manufacturing weapons, among others. Roughly 80% of those on the list were not convicted of any crimes. They were either charged with crimes that had not yet been prosecuted, or were detained under a practice known as administrative detention, whereby Israel holds Palestinians in the occupied territories with no formal charges or evidence presented against them.