J Street organizes and mobilizes pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans who want Israel to be secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people.
Working in American politics and the Jewish community, we advocate for policies that advance shared US and Israeli interests as well as Jewish and democratic values, leading to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What we do
J Street was created to serve as the political home and voice for pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans. The views of the majority of American Jews were previously underrepresented and ignored in our politics. We’re changing that, and in the process transforming our national conversation about what it means to be pro-Israel. We advocate and engage on every level – in Washington, in political campaigns, in our communities and on campuses. By changing the conversation, we open up political space for elected leaders to support policies that advance a secure, Jewish and democratic future for Israel and reflect the shared values that underlie the US-Israel relationship.
“There is no organization — no NGO — in the United States now that so stands for the values of diplomacy as J Street. And that is a very, very important thing to say. “ – Senator Tim Kaine
Our work in Congress and with the Administration
Recognizing the important role US policy plays in the Middle East and that the voices of Jewish and other pro-Israel Americans are critical in shaping that policy, J Street mobilizes support for US policies that help Israel to resolve its conflicts through diplomacy. We are reshaping political perceptions of what it means to be pro-Israel.
We advocate for:
Proactive leadership toward a two-state solution
Diplomatic approaches to resolving long-standing conflicts and addressing challenges
Policies that advance long-term US and Israeli security and reflect the core values of the US-Israel relationship
Measures that build trust and increase human security for Israelis and Palestinians on the ground
In House and Senate campaigns across the country, we demonstrate the breadth and depth of political support that exists for candidates who champion a diplomacy-first approach to advancing US interests in the Middle East and promoting peace and security for Israel.
Contributed 40 percent of all pro-Israel money to US congressional campaigns
Raised over $3 million in political giving in 2016
Endorsed 110+ Congressional candidates, including more than half of the Democratic caucus
Through community engagement and education, we advance a vision of an Israel that is secure, democratic and the national home of the Jewish people. We advocate that our institutions and leaders ground our relationship with Israel in the same values they apply to other issues, including freedom, justice and peace – the very principles set forth in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We promote vibrant and respectful discourse about Israel within the Jewish community, expanding American connections to and support for Israel.
200,000 supporters
1000 national lay leaders
900 Rabbinic and Cantorial Cabinet members
Hosting the third-largest annual gathering of American Jews
We are galvanizing and training the next generation of pro-Israel leaders by building a powerful student movement committed to Israel’s future and to Palestinian independence. For too long, the campus conversation surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was marked by extreme polarization. Those voices claiming to be exclusively “pro-Israel” or “pro-Palestinian” dominated the conversation on many campuses, placing blame for the conflict solely on the other side. There was no political movement on campus reflecting a nuanced understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and fighting for a two-state solution. J Street U was founded to create space on campus where students could bring together their commitment to Israel and to peace, justice, and human rights for all people, and to marshal those commitments towards advancing a two-state solution.
Israel’s supporters have the right and the obligation to speak out when the policies or the actions of the Israeli government are hurting the long-term interests of Israel and the Jewish people.
