Recent Blogs

• Appreciating President George H.W. Bush’s Contributions to Diplomacy in the Middle East

  George H.W. Bush was one of the great foreign policy leaders of the 20th century. Anyone who cares about Israel and Middle East peace owes him a debt of gratitude.

• The Two-Way Street: Entering Kislev, A Bright Light in the Darkness

  Earlier this week, a bright light shone through the recent darkness. We celebrated an electoral breakthrough as talented leaders who boldly oppose anti-Semitic rhetoric, hate and warmongering won across our nation. And yet, we cannot forget what else is happening in our country. Violence and hatred are exploding in many directions, and despair can seem like a rational response. In today’s America, bombs arrive at the doorsteps of former presidents and current office-holders, and the President worries only about the implications for his political prospects. Anti-Semites are empowered to spew their rhetorical venom and, unbearably, to take the lives of dear souls in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Racist language and imagery is increasingly accessible in public discourse. Democratic institutions, norms of decency, core principles of Jewish ethics and truth itself are all under attack in today’s America. The successes we saw in the midterms this week provided some much needed rays of hope, but the road ahead remains long and challenging.

• Bringing Home the Win

  As long as my family has lived in Dallas, I’ve felt unrepresented and unheard in Washington, both by our Representative and our two Senators. It is thrilling to be on the cusp of a moment when that could all change.

• Note from a political frontline

  Greetings from Bangor, Maine, where the New England fall is at its magnificent height and where the temperatures are falling but the political heat index is red hot. I’m spending the week volunteering to help elect Jared Golden, a Democrat endorsed by J Street fighting to win Maine’s Second Congressional District from Republican incumbent Bruce Poliquin.

Israeli Ministers Approve Bill That Would Legalize 66 West Bank Outposts, Haaretz

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the advancement of a bill that would authorize more than 60 Israeli outposts and settlement neighborhoods built in the West Bank over the last 20 years. According to the proposed legislation, initiated by MK Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi), the state would have to decide on how to legalize these outposts within two years of the law’s passing. Until then, any demolitions in these outposts would be suspended, except in cases in which a direct order is given by the prime minister or defense minister, with the cabinet’s approval.

As Attacks Rise, Abbas’ Weakness and Israeli Elections Talk May Hurt War on Terror, Haaretz

Amos Harel reports, ‘it’s difficult to identify any link between speeding up construction in the settlements and bolstering deterrence or sense of security. The anger over the recent deaths is being channeled into a demand to hurt Palestinians by means of more houses in the settlements, but it has never been proven that settlement expansion has worn down the willingness of Palestinians residents of the West Bank to fight Israel; just the opposite may be true….Furthermore, demands for collective punishment aren’t supported by senior security officials….The most important part of the equation, perhaps, is the PA’s relative weakness. The Trump administration’s clear backing of Netanyahu, with nothing remaining of the U.S. president’s pretense to serve as a fair mediator in the political process, destabilizes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ standing in the West Bank. Abbas has long lost trust in the prospect of peace with Israel during his rule. More attacks, followed by harsher reactions from Israel, might also erode security coordination between Israel and the PA.”